Policing costs

February 13, 2013

 Globe and Mail – John Ibbitson
Death of Internet bill gives Toews new life to beat the drum on policing costs

Ibbitson says that the government does not plan to renew the funding (expiring in April) for extra police officers put in place in 2008.  The new agenda for Vic Toews appears to be the spiralling cost of policing.  Municipalities are now facing lay-offs of police officers trained and hired under the five year program. Since 1997, policing costs in Canada have doubled to $12 billion. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/death-of-internet-bill-gives-toews-new-life-to-beat-the-drum-on-policing-costs/article8584719

 Huffington Post UK – Vicki Helyar-Cardwell
Justice Reinvestment – Adding Up the Benefits

Justice Minister Chris Grayling is shaking up rehabilitation in the UK  based on the early indications of success from payment-by-results.  “Justice re-investment refers to ways of redirecting funds currently spent on processing and dealing with offenders into community-based prevention that tackle the causes of crime. Savings to the criminal justice system (for example on police, prosecution, courts probation and prisons) are reinvested in local alternatives.” http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/vicki-helyarcardwell/justice-reinvestment-benefits_b_2660494.html

 Globe and Mail – Bill Curry
How charities can and can’t pick up the slack from government cuts

Acknowledging increased dependence on charities because of government cutbacks, the federal Tory dominated Finance Committee and Human Resources Minister Diane Finley have been looking at the notion of “social financing,” the practice of allowing charities to operate private business enterprise to stretch their income.  Even if this social financing approach is workable and acceptable to the charities, the simpler solution of additional tax incentives would impact government income and are not likely to happen.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/finance-committee-studies-how-charities-could-pick-up-slack-of-downsized-government/article8595231

 L.A. Times – Jack Leonard
L.A. judge begins reducing sentences of three-strikes inmates

It had to come to this, at the very least.  Following the overwhelming passage of Proposition 36, a bill to reduce the impact of the infamous three strike law in California, a judge has begun the review of sentences for over 1,000 convicted under the law and serving life sentences.  Included, is one case of an 81 year old man who stole dozens of cartons of cigarettes, already in jail for 17 years. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-three-strikes-releases-20130212,0,6326037.story

 Kingston Whig-Standard (ON)
Government to close KP Oct. 1: union

The federal government has confirmed its long-announced intention to close the 177 year old Kingston Federal Penitentiary on Oct. 1.  Guards union boss Jason Godin is not sure they will be able to meet this target. http://www.thewhig.com/2013/02/12/government-to-close-kp-oct-1-union  

 Else Marie Knudsen:
Kids of prisoners research

Else Marie is a doctoral student researcher who is focusing on the impact of prison on the other victims of crime, an area of scant research to date.  She is looking to talk with such children and their caregivers in Ontario.

She says:  “My research involves qualitative interviews with children or teens (ages 7-15, but I’m flexible) who have a parent in any type of prison and who reside anywhere in Ontario. I ask kids about their experiences, opinions and beliefs.  I also speak to the child’s caregiver about how things are going. Everyone’s participation and responses are completely confidential and voluntary.

“Some people are worried about talking about these issues. It may help to know that I do not need to know why their parent is inside, I don’t work for CSC and I don’t ‘asses’ the child. I also have lots of experience and training in talking to kids who are vulnerable or have tough stories.”

If you can be helpful, Else Marie can be reached at:  e.m.knudsen@lse.ac.uk

 John Howard Society of Alberta
Business Case – We All Win: Safer Communities through Best Practices for Offender Integration

Scheduled for March 12-14, 2013, in March 12 – 14, 2013, at the University of Calgary Conference Centre. For more information or to contact the organizers at: http://www.johnhoward.ab.ca/we-all-win