Spirit matters

March 8, 2013

 Office of the Correctional Investigator
Spirit Matters: Aboriginal People and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act

This document has a content outline, an executive summary and the complete report, including a conclusion and a series of recommendations.  http://www.oci-bec.gc.ca/rpt/oth-aut/oth-aut20121022-eng.aspx

 CTV NEWS
Canada failing Aboriginal inmates, watchdog says

As reported yesterday, the Aboriginal percentage of inmates in federal prisons is now above 20% from ten years ago.  More disturbing is the rate of incarceration of women Aboriginals, now at 32% of federally incarcerated women and up 85% in those same ten years. Correctional Investigator Howard Sapers offers four recommendations for change.  http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-failing-aboriginal-inmates-watchdog-says-1.1185921

 Toronto Star – Bruce Campion-Smith
Prison watchdog calls soaring aboriginal population in jail a ‘critical situation’

The Aboriginal prison population has soared 43% in five years says Howard Sapers, the Correctional Investigator. “If I was releasing a report card on federal aboriginal corrections efforts today, it would be filled with failing grades.” http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/03/07/prison_watchdog_calls_soaring_aboriginal_population_in_jail_a_critical_situation.html 

 CTV News
What is a ‘healing lodge’ and why does Canada’s prison system need more?

Howard Sapers is calling for greater creation and use of healing lodges for the Aboriginal population.  Established in 1992 under law to assist the transition from prison to community, the mechanism has largely failed: only 68 beds in 20 years.  Sapers’ report recommends more and greater use of the healing lodges.  http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/what-is-a-healing-lodge-and-why-does-canada-s-prison-system-need-more-1.1187338

 CBC News
Aboriginal corrections report finds ‘systemic discrimination’

The Correctional Investigator’s report, the second in the history of the office and tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday, March 7, has detected systemic discrimination towards Aboriginals.  With Aboriginal defined as Metis, Inuit or First Nations, one in four federal prisoners are Aboriginal with an alarming 43% increase between 2001 and 2011.   http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/03/07/canada-aboriginal-prison-population-report.html

 TVO – Steve Paikin
The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Tom Flanagan Responds

Here is an 18 minute video from TVO on the controversy and response after the fact by Tom Flanagan. Flanagan seems to refute mandatory minimums.  http://ww3.tvo.org/video/188880/tom-flanagan-responds 

 Huffpost BC – Jordan Bateman
Did B.C. Transit Police Sweeten Their Stats?

Bateman is reporting discrepancies between reports for the Transit Police with a $29 million budget (going to $31 million in 2013) and those from the Vancouver Police Department. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/jordan-bateman/bc-transit-police-stats_b_2820075.html 

 The Economist
The year of living less dangerously

Against all expectations the gang truce in El Salvador, brokered by a Catholic bishop and a former defence ministry advisor, has held, and will complete its first year on March 9th. Five towns have been named ‘peace zones’ where local gang members have pledged to end murder and extortion in exchange for employment. http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21573109-unusual-armistice-has-lasted-longer-many-predicted-year-living-less-dangerously 

 CBC News
Ashley Smith’s psychologist says his advice was ignored

Dr. Allister Webster testified that correctional officials ignored his advice not to transfer Ashley to the Saskatoon Regional Psychiatric Centre on the grounds that Ashley needed stability, contact with her family and the treatment plan he, Webster, has designed for the “complex case.” http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2013/03/07/nb-ashley-smith-inquiry.html 

 Christian Post – New Mexico – Jon Campbell
Prisoner Gets $15.5 Million: Left in Solitary Confinement for 22 Months

Arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and stealing the car, Stephen Slevin was never brought to trial and never convicted.  Yet he endured 22 months of solitary confinement in a New Mexico jail and suffered related health issues. http://www.christianpost.com/news/prisoner-gets-15-5-million-left-in-solitary-confinement-for-22-months-video-91468