February 26, 2013
Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) – Adam Miller
Prison health care inequality
The latest in a series of commentaries from the Canadian Medical Association focuses on the inconsistency and often inadequacy of simple medical and dental treatment in prisons, despite continuous reports, recommendations from monitors such as The Office of the Correctional Investigator and Elizabeth Fry. http://www.cmaj.ca/site/earlyreleases/25feb13_prison-health-care-inequality.xhtmlc
CBC News – Canadian Press
Atleo likens aboriginal child welfare to residential schools
National Chief Shawn Atleo says that the estimated 27,000 children in foster care in Canada are victims of the same approach that gave rise to residential schools, with much the same impact on Aboriginal families. Compared to the rest of Canada, the support systems are considerably underfunded. “The reasons for the removal today are different and relate more to poverty and social conditions on reserve,” Atleo said. “The removal appears not be driven directly by an intention ‘to kill the Indian in the child’ but the consequences are nonetheless the same.” http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/02/25/pol-cp-first-nations-children-discrimination-tribunal.html
Toronto Star – Colin Perkel
Frank Iacobucci to report on exclusion of aboriginals from Ontario’s juries
Even though Aboriginals are considerably over-represented in the prison population, it seems that the process of jury selection that eventually got them sentenced systematically excludes Aboriginals from the jury pools. Iacobucci will deliver his report today. Here is a backgrounder for the report. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/02/25/frank_iacobucci_to_report_on_exclusion_of_a_aboriginals_from_ontarios_juries.html
N.Y. Daily News –
Immigrant detainees being freed from jails and detention centers around the nation, say immigration enforcement officials
In the face of the automatic federal budget cuts due to take effect March 1, the detention centers are releasing inmates and detainees. The budget cuts are doing what all sorts of legal and advocacy champions have been unable to do to date. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/immigrants-released-jails-detention-centers-article-1.1273354#ixzz2Lyawot2J
N.Y. Times – Kirk Semple
Wave of Immigrants Released Ahead of Automatic Budget Cuts
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/us/immigrants-released-ahead-of-automatic-budget-cuts.html?_r=0
Northeastern University School of Law (NUSL) Blogger Professor Margaret A. Burnham
Faculty Post: Civil Rights & Restorative Justice
Remember the Scottsboro 9? Alabama is about to right some historic wrongs by vacating convictions, even though all involved from the famous 1931 case are now dead. The case led to considerable growth in civil rights advocacy as well as several important rulings around due process in law for Black defendants. http://nuslblogs.org/2013/02/25/faculty-post-civil-rights-restorative-justice
CBC News – Blogger Katy O’Malley
UPDATED – Parole eligibility, victims added to backbench priority list
O’Malley reports that two Tory backbenchers, James Bezan and David Sweet, have introduced private members bills on today’s Notice Paper to make eligibility for parole more difficult and to improve fairness for victims. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2013/02/e-petitions-sex-selective-abortion-on-backbench-mp-priority-list.html