This article reports on shattering data from the Pew Foundation that documents for the first time incarceration’s economic effects, with severe impacts life-long on the economic stability of families and whole communities. Unless society comes up … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2012
Finding direction: Expanding criminal justice options by considering policies of other nations
August 12, 2012 by
This report compares criminal justice systems and social indicators for six countries including Canada. Countries choosing fines, community service, probation, or treatment did not produce higher victimization rates. Some countries used sentence … [Read more...]
Missouri tells judges cost of sentences
August 12, 2012 by
Some jurisdictions are asking for more judicial accountability for costly sentencing choices that are ineffective. A new program in Missouri uses data about offenders to help answer these questions: What is the likelihood, under different sentencing … [Read more...]
Lessons from the front lines in Canada’s restorative justice experiment: The experience of sentencing judges
August 12, 2012 by
Megan Stephens interviewed Ontario judges on restorative justice processes, which offer a contextual approach to resolving the aftermath of a crime. Data from the interviews provide a candid in-depth look at obstacles to effective implementation, … [Read more...]
Is your criminal justice system serving you well?
August 12, 2012 by
This Toronto Star series maps the most costly jail cities in the country, adding socioeconomic data to the mix to give a better picture of crime and punishment in Canada — and Toronto. http://www.thestar.com/specialSections/crime … [Read more...]
Crime and punishment: Time for a more reasoned debate
August 12, 2012 by
Danny Graham, criminal justice advisor in Canada and internationally, reports that comparable European democracies basing policy on "what works" are achieving much lower crime rates than Canada, with lower incarceration and huge fiscal savings. He … [Read more...]
‘Tough medicine’ won’t kill underlying social ills
August 12, 2012 by
Former Nova Scotia prosecutor Bob Lutes says the Canadian government and the Senate might as well tell the public that the earth is flat as suggest that a combination of longer sentences and more incarceration is the answer to public safety. He gives … [Read more...]