Get the lead out!

 February 11, 2013

 Mother Jones – Kevin Drum
America’s Real Criminal Element: Lead

Here’s a lengthy article to blow your mind about all the pet theories on why the crime rates continue to plummet.  It is also a pointed lesson on why people working on justice issues need to listen to and be included in other disciplines, perspectives and research areas.  “New research finds Pb (lead) is the hidden villain behind violent crime, lower IQs, and even the ADHD epidemic. And fixing the problem is a lot cheaper than doing nothing…Gasoline lead may explain as much as 90 percent of the rise and fall of violent crime over the past half century.”  So what now that we have taken the lead out?  http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/01/lead-crime-link-gasoline?page=1

 Edmonton Journal – Andrea Sands
Collaboration replaces blame game in resolving school conflicts

Fultonvale School in Sherwood Park has discovered that you don’t need to blame someone to resolve conflict.  RJ practices in the context of the normal school day make a difference in the tone of relationships. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/edmonton/Collaboration+replaces+blame+game+resolving+school/7945814/story.html

 York University – Bill O’Grady and Stephen Gaetz
Why do Young People Become Homeless?

Homelessness often means more confrontations with the police. The two authors identify five consistent causes for homelessness among youth: physical, sexual and emotional abuse; involvement with the child welfare system; discrimination; homophobia; and poverty. http://www.homelesshub.ca/Library/Why-do-Young-People-Become-Homeless-46121.aspx

 Huffington Post – Canadian Press – James Keller
Mentally Ill Offenders May Be Locked Up Under New Rules: Harper

Harper gets some mixed reviews on the latest proposals around the treatment and incarceration of the NCR.  The furor masks a real concern around the needs of those less famous inmates who need psychiatric services and can not access it. “The changes prompted immediate scepticism from mental health experts and advocates, who suggested the Conservative government is viewing mentally ill offenders as criminals who deserve to be punished, rather than patients who need treatment.” http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/02/08/mentally-ill-offenders-crime-canada-high-risk-harper_n_2647367.html  

ABC News – Associated Press
Breakdown on Legal Costs for Calif. Prison Cases

Litigation, especially when it is from the public purse, is an expensive matter.  Here is a breakdown of costs associated with two major cases in California in which prisoners sued over mental and medical health issues. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/breakdown-legal-costs-calif-prison-cases-18461989 

 Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY) – Megan DeMarco
At-risk Rochester teenagers learn leadership, coping skills

The approach to this anti-gang program is in rites of passage – a program hosted by the city and Youth for Change that is designed to teach resistance skills, cultural awareness, leadership and self-esteem. Some of the kids are members of Determined Divas or Goodfellas, gang replacement. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20130210/NEWS01/302100033/Rite-of-Passage-gang-intervention?nclick_check=1

 Vancouver Province: Opinion – I.M.GreNada
It ain’t the carpet that’s magic

The author is serving a life sentence in BC and offers this reflection on what makes some of the hardest men in Canada soften into angels who care about poorly clad Aboriginal children in the Fraser Valley’s worst cold in years.  http://blogs.theprovince.com/2013/02/10/it-aint-the-carpet-thats-magic

 The Telegram (St. John’s, NF) – Josh Pennell
Building a new life after prison – How the John Howard Society helps clients find their way

This story says a lot about “who are in jail?”  The answer is you and I, our families and friends. Then, it says a lot about how to deal with crime.  The answer is put it back in a community of caring people. http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2013-02-09/article-3173968/Building-a-new-life-after-prison—How-the-John-Howard-Society-helps-clients-find-their-way/1