Viewpoint.

• Date: 01 January 2009
• Author: Mitchell, Teresa

It is the hoariest of cliches to say that we care about our children. How could we not? And yet, daily, we are confronted with stories of children at risk, both in far-off countries and here at home. We know that life is difficult for many children. How do we respond?

In Canada, one of the responses of the federal government has been a "get-tough" attitude towards young offenders. And yet, the 2008 National Justice Report commissioned by Justice Canada, shows that most Canadians do not favour this approach. Indeed, the responses of the majority of those surveyed reveal a surprising depth of compassion for young offenders.

According to this survey, three-quarters of Canadians believe that time in secure custody...