April 2, 2013
Vancouver Sun – Douglas Quan, Postmedia News
Mental health organizations, researcher criticize proposed changes to legislation
Anne Crocker, a professor of psychiatry at McGill University, is puzzled since she delivered to the federal government in November, 2012, a set of data showing the NCR are least likely to re-offend. The Schizophrenia Society of Canada and the Mental Health Commission of Canada are equally puzzled. http://www.canada.com/Mental+health+organizations+researcher+criticize+proposed+changes+legislation/8031609/story.html#ixzz2PDVBU0gF
The Atlantic (US) – Andrew Cohen
Should Mentally Ill Federal Prisoners Be Punished for Suicide Attempts?
This article questions the relationship between policy around mentally ill prisoners who attempt suicide and the disciplinary codes. Prisoners who look for help, don’t get it and then perform self-mutilation or suicide attempts are often punished under the same disciplinary code that urges them to seek help. http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/04/should-mentally-ill-federal-prisoners-be-punished-for-suicide-attempts/274313
News 8 WTNH.com (Colorado Springs) – Associated Press
Gun link, but many questions in corrections death
The wife of Tom Clements, a murdered Colorado prison official, says “We want everyone who hears Tom’s story to know that he lived his life believing in redemption, in the ability of the human heart to be changed. He would want justice certainly but moreover he’d want forgiveness. Our family prays for the family of the man who took Tom’s life and we will pray for forgiveness in our own hearts and our own peace.” http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/national/Memorial-service-planned-for-slain-prisons-chief_24807622
Slate Crime Blog – Justin Peters
Are White Supremacist Prison Gangs Targeting Prosecutors and Prison Officials?
Three justice related officials have been shot in the last two months raising the question of whether the murders are commissioned by white supremacists prison gangs that have been a target of these officials. http://www.slate.com/blogs/crime/2013/04/01/tom_clements_evan_ebel_are_white_supremacist_prison_gangs_targeting_prosecutors.html
Daily Record (New Jersey, US)
Growing old in prison – ‘Fiscal time bomb’ for state and nation as the medical costs for elder inmates skyrocket
This article offers some insight in a 4 minute video report on issues around long time and elderly prisoners with need for palliative care in the New Jersey state prison system. http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20130331/NJNEWS/303310009/Growing-old-prison?nclick_check=1
N.Y. Times – Ian Urbina
Immigrant Detainees and the Right to Counsel
In the light of run-away costs and the release of some of the 34,000- plus detainees, and the history of legal right to a lawyer for criminal matters, Urbina probes the question of the right of undocumented immigrants to have legal representation. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/31/sunday-review/immigrant-detainees-and-the-right-to-counsel.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Asian Correspondence – University of New South Wales (Australia)
Australian lawyers look outside the courtroom
In the pursuit of alternates to the courtroom the Hon Nicola Roxon MP, Australia’s Attorney-General, is allocating $1.3 billion in the search for “meaningful dispute resolution culture.” http://asiancorrespondent.com/100672/australian-lawyers-look-outside-the-courtroom