After watching the documentary: America's War on Drugs - The Prison Industrial Complex, it is clear that the criminal justice system is in desperate need of rebuilding and repaired with policies such as the mandatory minimum sentencing law that has proven unsuccessful and unjust in its efforts to deter "criminals from committing illegal acts", as evidenced by the increasing incarcerations of the American people and the devastating effect it has had on people in prison and the family members of those incarcerated. With Canadian Prime Minister Stephan Harper and his conservative approach of following in the footsteps of our border neighbors with the Safe Streets and Communities Act, and his “tough on crime” approach, Canadians are entering dangerous territory . The U.S. government is now warning the Canadian people that these tougher, more punitive drug war laws will only cause greater harm to both incarcerated people and the general public as taxpayers. This documentary highlighted the devastating consequences that these mandatory minimum sentences can have on people like in the case of Kemba Smith and Johnny Patillo, two first-time offenders who were charged under mandatory minimum sentences. Johnny Patillo sentenced to 10 years and Kemba Smith sentenced to 24.5 years, these individuals were no different than your average citizen who was caught in the heat of these barbaric laws and individuals like these two are used as a means deterrence to send a message to the public in its efforts to take control of the war on drugs..The insane and irrational analysis behind these mandatory minimum sentencing laws that left judges with no choice but to hand out deva...... middle of paper.... ..budgetary expenditures were 3.3 million. With these large budgets at the disposal of government and policy makers, it is clear that they are not allocating their budget wisely and are in desperate need of reorganization, to achieve the goal of achieving greater equality and safer streets with law-abiding citizens. The Star. (February 17, 2014). Harper Government's Tough Crime Laws Are Outdated: Editorial. Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2013/08/19/harper_governments_toughoncrime_laws_are_outdated_editorial.html2. Griffiths, C. (2010). Canadian Correctional Services. (pp. 210, 211, 212).3. Murray, J. (2005). The Effects of Imprisonment on Families and Children of Prisoners Retrieved from http://www2.bgsu.edu/downloads/cas/file77089.pdf4. Santora, M. (August 23, 2013). The city's annual cost per inmate is $168,000, according to Stuy. The New York Times.