An organization which advocates for people who come into conflict with the criminal justice system has established a support group to help the families of those people.

The John Howard Society says incarceration applies in the true sense of the word to the offender, but families also do the time, though not in the literal sense.

Some believe that our justice system is too lenient, and that longer sentences would serve as a deterrent.

Cindy Murphy, the executive director of the NL branch in St. John’s, says that is not so in the majority of situations.

“Crime is impulsive, it’s driven by a lack of education, substance abuse, sometimes mental health, and other things,” says Murphy. “Adding long sentences is not necessarily going to make it safer at the end of the day.”

This is John Howard Society Week, and one of the components involved the signing of a proclamation and meeting with the minister of justice and public safety.

On Wednesday there will be presentations from the justice department on topics relevant to them. The superintendent of prisons will also address the society.