February 4, 2013
Toronto Star Editorial Opinion: Michael Ashby
Ottawa’s anti-crime agenda hurts Canadians looking for a new start
Michael Ashby, director of the National Pardon Center, voices in total frustration a query about how ‘tough-on-crime’ translates into 22,000 delays in the pardon process, creating an obstacle to employment and to becoming a contributing citizen after paying for a mistake. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/2013/02/03/ottawas_anticrime_agenda_hurts_canadians_looking_for_a_new_start.html
Globe and Mail – Kim Mackrael
‘Crime doesn’t and shouldn’t pay:’ Tories to toughen punishment for child predators
Dubbed “additional and comprehensive,” and supposedly targeting those who violate their conditions after release, the new legislation will also offer a new “Victims Bill of Rights” with regard to those found not criminally responsible for their crime. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/crime-doesnt-and-shouldnt-pay-tories-to-toughen-punishment-for-child-predators/article8160783
CBC News
Justice Minister’s roundtable pledges more victims support
Victims advocate Sheldon Kennedy, OPP deputy commissioner , Vince Hawkes, are to meet today (Feb. 4) in what is billed as a roundtable in Toronto to discuss the specifics of the new criminal justice agenda of the Tories with Rob Nicholson. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/02/04/pol-nicholson-round-table-monday.html
CTV News
Victims’ bill of rights, tougher sentences on tap for child sex predators
CTV offers an almost five minute video of the new legislation by the Minister of Justice. The policy to comfort victims by longer offender sentences vs real victim relief continues. http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/victims-bill-of-rights-tougher-sentences-on-tap-for-child-sex-predators-1.1142050#ixzz2JwyZCCHX
Vera Institute of Justice – Talia Sandwick • Karen Tamis • Jim Parsons • Cesar Arauz-Cuadra
Making the Transition: Rethinking Jail Re-entry in Los Angeles County
In 2010, Vera partnered with the LA County Jail to assess the re-entry of the jails annual 160,000 admissions. Employment, housing and substance abuse were the most common problems but access while in jail to the programs and access with funding by the service providers were a significant factor. http://www.vera.org/pubs/making-the-transition-rethinking-jail-reentry-in-los-angeles-county
Early Childhood Education
Community Violence and Young Children: Making Space for Hope
British in origin, this on-line magazine offers a number of articles on the impact of violence experienced in early childhood on development. The site brings an international flavour to the issue as well. http://earlychildhoodmagazine.org/tag/community-violence
Vancouver Sun – Steve Whysall
Proof that gardening is good for us
When Charlie Hall speaks, the green industry listens. Gardening, seems, is proven to have multiple benefits to community building. “His research has unearthed compelling facts and statistics that prove being around plants makes everything better, including helping children to learn faster, improving health, reducing crime, enhancing the natural environment and greatly reducing the stress of everyday life.” http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2013/01/31/proof-that-gardening-is-good-for-us