At the provincial Conservative convention in Alberta two weekends ago, reports the Edmonton Sun, a delegate asked Justice Minister Brian Evans what the latter thought about lashing prisoners. The delegate's reasoning wasn't recorded, but I expect he thought flogging might help reduce the crime rate and teach criminals better behaviour.
Most people think so.
If you were to ask any of our major media deep-thinkers, or a conventional academic or politician, they'd say none but a few frightening sociopaths advocate corporal punishment. But they'd be wrong. The Alberta delegate merely gave voice to what most English Canadians think. I'm indebted to the Reader's Digest for giving me an early look at one of their Roper Report opinion surveys. This one was taken last summer from 1,235 Canadian adults for a future Digest story about law and crime.