An Analysis of Public Support for Severity and Proportionality in the Sentencing of Youthful Offenders

Abstract

This study provides some data regarding public support for certain principles in the Youth Criminal Justice Act. It focuses on the concept of proportionality and explores the relationship between support for proportionality and support for more severe sentences. Data were obtained from 150 respondents to a questionnaire distributed in various neighbourhoods in Toronto during May and June 2002. The findings suggest strong support for proportionality, particularly amongst those who view sentencing under the Young Offenders Act as too lenient. However, although those favouring proportionality and those favouring harsher youth court sentences tend to overlap, support for each of these may develop in somewhat different ways. The findings suggest that few people would support or oppose all aspects of the YCJA. Thus if the government's goal was to try to give something to everyone, they may have succeeded.

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