February 27, 2013
CBC News
Justice system failing First Nations, report finds. Iacobucci urges action to get aboriginal representation on Ontario juries
Seeing a lack of Aboriginal participation in the jury pool is indicative of a much wider justice problem according to Iacobucci who has taken a wider view of the whole justice system and fielded seventeen recommendations. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/story/2013/02/26/tby-first-nations-jury-representation-reccomendations-released.html Copy of report: http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/608273-iacobucci-report.html#document/p1
Toronto Star – Editorial
Ontario must rebuild First Nations’ trust in legal system
In an Ontario report that the Star thinks should have Canada wide application, the seventeen recommendations are called transformative. Iacobucci warns that “the justice system generally as applied to First Nations peoples, particularly in the North, is quite frankly in a crisis, and has often ignored or discriminated against native peoples, he reports.” http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2013/02/27/ontario_must_rebuild_first_nations_trust_in_legal_system_editorial.html
Winnipeg Free Press – Canadian Press
Manitoba has second highest rate of violence against women
Here is a look at the crime stats across Canada by gender and age. Saskatchewan and Manitoba are highest in police reported violence against women. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Manitoba-has-second-highest-rate-of-violence-against-women-193049801.html#sthash.hqIhIDfo.dpuf
Global TV News
High reported rate of violence good news for Manitoba, advocates say
The report has raised the question whether more women are assaulted or more women are now reporting. The rate in Manitoba is almost twice the national average. In either case advocates are pleased that the victims are reaching out to agencies that can help. http://www.globalwinnipeg.com/high+reported+rate+of+violence+good+news+for+manitoba+advocates+say/6442816777/story.html
BBC News – Nottingham (UK)
Nottingham project to help women in gangs
Chayah Project is now working to identify women in the city who are involved in gangs and help them to find a safe way out. A two minute video report explains. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-21592865
Star Tribune (Minnesota, US) – Al Franken, Jim Ramstad
Improving care for mental illness
Two long time US law-makers and advocates for mental health offer, in the light of events like Sandy Hook, two additional pieces of legislation to help in the arena of mental health on the one hand, and schools and jails on the other. http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/193416241.html
Vancouver Sun – Canadian Press
Vancouver hearing reveals how Asian gangs work in Canada
An immigration board hearing, some seventeen years after the fact of arrival in Canada, has led to some surprising organized crime revelations among Asians Triads in BC. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Vancouver+hearing+reveals+Asian+gangs+work+Canada/8018486/story.html#sthash.TwuKz08B.dpuf
iPolitics – Canadian Press
Court upholds order that Toews accept prisoner transfer
A Federal Appeals Court is the end of the road for Toews four year refusal to allow the transfer of a Canadian citizen in a Georgia prison to serve his sentence in Canada. What an interesting prospect if we were to see the cost of these useless pursuits by an intransigent tough-on-crime motive. http://www.ipolitics.ca/2013/02/26/court-upholds-order-that-toews-accept-prisoner-transfer
Times Colonist (BC) – Louise Dickson and Rob Shaw
Province needs conversation on regional policing, justice minister says
Justice Minister Shirley Bond wants to look at the impact of regional policing in the metro Vancouver and Victoria regions. NDP dismiss the announcement as electioneering after eleven years of avoiding the issue. http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/province-needs-conversation-on-regional-policing-justice-minister-says-1.81214#sthash.4cm0l6yP.dpuf
Prison Reform Trust (UK) –
Turning Young Lives Around
The report offers an action agenda for the various players in youth services, detailing the action steps to the type of services offered by that agency. Perhaps we are seeing here a new sort of holistic report recommendations where there are a variety of agencies hovering over the same problem. http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/turningyounglivesaroundFINAL.pdf?dm_i=47L,1B89S,6JSCMH,4FXL9,1
Toronto Star –
Ashley Smith strapped to chair for 8 hours after banging her head
The Star offers a number of videos which were shown to the inquest on the Ashley Smith death. The videos are disturbing and shocking and shout for alternatives in the face of a system doing harder what is already repeatedly seen to be not working. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/02/26/10_guards_on_hand_to_put_ashley_smith_into_restraint_chair.html