April 12, 2013
Bloomberg Press (US) – Editorial (April 11, 2013)
The Inhumane Practice of Solitary Confinement
Say the Bloomberg editors: “The use of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons and detention centers has broken the bounds of reason and decency… Solitary confinement is, by its nature, dehumanizing. It should be a last resort for violent and dangerous criminals. It certainly should have no role in the detention of undocumented immigrants and thousands of other nonviolent prisoners.” http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-11/solitary-confinement-makes-u-s-prisons-cruel-and-unusual.html
Politics in Polk – Tallahassee, Fl
Juvenile Sentencing Bill Passes Senate Criminal Justice Committee
In response to a Supreme Court ruling limiting the imposition of life sentences on juveniles, the state senate has approved a maximum of 50 years for most crimes and a minimum of 50 years for murder. The Bill was approved 4-2 by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, supported by the state prosecutors and the Sherriff’s Association. http://www.theledger.com/article/20130408/POLITICS/304085037/1410?Title=Juvenile-Sentencing-Bill-Passes-Senate-Criminal-Justice-Committee Additional report: http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/human-trafficking-unborn-victims-drug-possession-juvenile-sentencing-bills-advance-senate
Amnesty International 2012
Death sentences and executions in 2012
A 58 page international report (pdf) from Amnesty International detailing the executions and the death sentences recorded for 2012. http://www.amnesty.org/sites/impact.amnesty.org/files/PUBLIC/2012DeathPenaltyAI.pdf
MetroNews – Edmonton
Union wants prisoner transfer to new Edmonton Remand Centre delayed
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) has filed a formal health and safety complaint with the Alberta government about the transfer of prisoners to the new remand center. The report does not specify the concerns. http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/629937/union-wants-prisoner-transfer-to-new-edmonton-remand-centre-delayed Link to site with photos of the new facility: http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/601942/edmonton-prisoners-have-a-new-home-at-580-million-remand-centre
Huffington Post – Denver
Evan Ebel Suicide Note Shows Parolee Was ‘Ruined’ By Solitary, Bent On Revenge: Troy Anderson, Friend Of Ebel
A suspect in the murder of a pizza delivery man and the head of Colorado State Corrections, Ebel was recently killed by police. Fellow prisoner Troy Anderson and Ebel had served large part of their sentences in solitary and Anderson speaks with reporter Susan Greene of the Colorado Independent. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/11/evan-ebel-friend-suicide-_n_3062371.html
The Manning Marable Memorial Conference-Reinvigorating Social Theory-Redefining Political Struggle
Occupy Prison: Immigration, Detention & Incarceration
This Youtube video report is an hour and forty two minutes by a panel examining the racial, political and social factors leading to mass incarceration. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Andvo8Fy2E8
New Hampshire Union Leader
Corrections chief seeks to avoid banning privatized prisons
New Hampshire has cancelled the private prisons bidding process for state prisoner business and the commissioner of corrections is asking that the state allow their use in emergency circumstances and by order of the governor. http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130410/NEWS06/130419979
Montreal Gazette – Randy Boswell, Postmedia News
Canadian killer in U.S. jail sues victim’s wife over transfer bid
Convicted killer Larry Shandola has filed a lawsuit against the wife of his victim Robert Henry, claiming that the widow – Paula Henry – prevented Shandola’s transfer to a Canadian prison. Paula Henry raised $50,000 to keep the original investigation going for over five years and offered Shandola as a prime suspect. http://www.canada.com/Canadian+killer+jail+sues+victim+wife+over+transfer/8230574/story.html#ixzz2QDD7ujyU
IIRP launches a new network –
Restorative Works Learning Network
This is a relatively new site and an off-spring of the International Institute for Restorative Practices. For any following and working in RJ, an e-mail subscription to the newsletter will bring much support and encouragement. http://restorativeworks.net/?utm_source=eForum+Weekly+Highlights+April+11%2C+2013&utm_campaign=Weekly+eForum+Highlights&utm_medium=email
National Stuff.com (New Zealand) – Bess Manson
Three tales of forgiveness
A murderer, a former war time pilot and an adulterer all know what forgiveness is. So do the victims. And each victim was given a little expert advice to help get through the pain and the process of meeting with the perpetrators. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8488661/Three-tales-of-forgiveness