March 26, 2013
Ministry of Justice (UK)
Strategic objectives for female offenders
A six page report on issues to be addressed to reform the way women prisoners are treated in the UK, the report speaks to community provision, rehabilitation and prison estates. http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/policy/moj/strategic-objectives-female-offenders.pdf
Catch 22 (UK)
In the UK, many volunteer agencies have entered contracts with government for services in a community context within the criminal justice system for outcomes obtained. The National Council on Voluntary Organizations (NCVO) is wondering how do such contracts impact on the agency? http://www.catch-22.org.uk/News/Detail/How-has-entering-payment-by-results-made-Catch22-better-able-to-understand-and-respond-to-risk-in-the-public-service-market Payment by results Working Group: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/commissioning/paymentbyresults/working_group
CTV News
Will Canada heed U.S. warnings on mandatory minimum sentences?
An eight minute video report offers a Canadian analysis consequent to the final report from Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page and a US perspective on mandatory minimums. http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/will-canada-heed-u-s-warnings-on-mandatory-minimum-sentences-1.1209164#ixzz2OZW88dq9
Popsci.com – Viktor Mayer-Schönberger and Kenneth Cukier
Should We Use Big Data To Punish Crimes Before They’re Committed?
Welcome to a future in which big data helps law enforcement predict and punish crime before it happens. The development of what is called Big Data makes predictability possible. What if we apply the predictability to the justice system? Some jurisdictions already use the predictability factor in the parole system. “This points toward using big data for a novel purpose: to prevent crime from happening,” say the authors. http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-03/should-we-use-big-data-to-punish-crimes-before-theyre-committed
Related article: Cleveland Plain Dealer – William Kist
In Viktor Mayer-Schonberger’s ‘Big Data’, the question is will it be used for good or evil? http://www.cleveland.com/books/index.ssf/2013/03/in_viktor_mayer-schonbergers_b.html
IIRP – Lorenn Walker
Restorative justice & stories for resilient families and happy individuals
Based on restorative re-entry processes with incarcerated individuals, and focused on RJ as an approach to public health, the author concludes: “Restorative justice, solution focused and other approaches that look at hardship as something we can discuss and find ways to cope with help us find happier lives.” http://www.restorativejustice.org/RJOB/restorative-justice-stories-for-resilient-families-and-happy-individuals
Metro-west Daily News (Boston, MA) – Michael Norton
Report: State criminal sentencing laws are costly with little benefit
The decline in crime and huge increases in prison and court costs are finally prompting passionate appeals to reason for a smarter justice. This report is from the perspective of community development and introduces direct costs, opportunity costs and collateral costs to assess the real harm from mass incarceration. http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x609792960/Report-State-criminal-sentencing-laws-are-costly-with-little-benefit#ixzz2OehN0fBT
Related article: Boston Globe – Wesley Lowery
New report slams Mass. on correction reform
Full Report from MassInc: Benajamin Forman and John Larrive
Crime, Cost, and Consequences: Is It Time to Get Smart on Crime?
The Republic (Columbus, Indiana) – Associated Press
Federal authorities to turn over 4 Dallas homes bought by gangs to Habitat for Humanity
What a good idea! Four homes in Dallas bought with gang activity proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity. http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/13e3f3e4a66043369473650e408ee341/TX–Seized-Gang-Homes
Vancouver Sun – Kim Boylan
UN gang associate sues federal government after prison attack
Correctional Services of Canada are facing a lawsuit for failure to monitor an open security gate resulting in a beating for a Pacific Institution inmate by a rival gang member. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/gang+associate+sues+federal+government+after+prison+attack/8150783/story.html#ixzz2OenRy4tP
Guardian (UK) – Eric Allison
Wandsworth jail criticised over prisoner death
Jailed for stealing a gingerbread man during the 2011 riots, James Best, with a previous history of mental illness, died of a heart attack after collapsing in the prison gym and waiting some time for the ambulance, a circumstance the jury says may have contributed to his death. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/26/wandsworth-prisoner-death-verdict