April 22, 2013
Rio Rancho Observer (New Mexico) – Lee Ross
Jail staff working hard to regain federal contract
Ross offers us a perspective on the impact of a contract to house federal prisoners on the financial operations side of a jail. Failed for lack of adequate suicide prevention among prisoners, the Sandoval County Detention Center has re-shaped its prevention policies to re-gain its federal contract and fill the remaining capacity (only 175 of 386 places taken and the burden now falls on local tax payers). http://www.rrobserver.com/news/local/article_9b038618-a93f-11e2-b5b9-001a4bcf887a.html
Omaha.com
Nebraska jails’ revenue takes hit as detainees dwindle
Revenue from ICE detention is down two-thirds at Hall County Corrections in Grand Island,” jail administrator Fred Ruiz said.“The bottom has just fallen out of it completely,” he said. One county has issued bonds to pay for the revenue short fall now making its impact felt across the country as immigrant detainees are released. http://www.omaha.com/article/20130421/NEWS/704219903/1694
Seattle Post Intelligencer
British Columbia: Has marijuana, wants it legalized
Many BC people see a direct connection between illegal marijuana and the rise of criminal gangs fighting to control the distribution. The result is a growing political movement to legalize the “BC bud,” especially since Washington state and California have already legalized the sale. http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2013/04/20/british-columbia-has-marijuana-wants-it-legalized
Digital Journal – Arthur Weinreb
Homeland Security wants new fees imposed at Canada-U.S. crossings
Still in the realm of feasibility study, the proposal suggests a fee for each person crossing the US – Canada border by land – car or train. The proposal, buried in other documents of the security service, is seen by many as a threat to cross-border commerce in tourism, shopping and sporting events. The proposal may be recognition that security as practiced, like immigrant detention and prisons, is a pricy business to pursue recklessly.http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/348502#ixzz2R6XIEIfp
Vancouver Province – Sam Cooper
Losing a loved one to homicide: ‘It’s like a tsunami has hit and nothing will ever be the same’
Marlyn and Ian Ferguson travelled to Ottawa to meet with one of the seven men who tortured and murdered their 27 year old son Graham in a drug delivery for a quick $12,000. The parents have started a support group in Surrey, BC, for others impacted by the murder of a loved one. http://www.theprovince.com/news/Losing+loved+homicide+like+tsunami+nothing+will+ever+same/8269766/story.html#ixzz2R7Ocpfis
Poughkeepsie Journal (NY) – Sarah Bradshaw
NY rolls out police training for handling disabled
Believed to be a first, NY state has a 12 hour training session for police on handling people with disabilities, now available through Niagara University and called the First Responders Disability Awareness Training. The Train the Trainer sessions are not mandated but they are a priority for funding by the state. http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/NY-rolls-out-police-training-for-handling-disabled-4451358.php#ixzz2R8GUORjC
Toronto Star – David Bruser and Jayme Poisson
The gun pipeline: ‘Cop killer’ among Toronto’s favourite handgun
The fourth article of the Star’s series on the gun pipeline from the US and where the guns are later discovered in Toronto. This link also has the link to the previous three articles. http://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2013/04/21/the_gun_pipeline_cop_killer_among_torontos_favourite_handgun.html
Globe and Mail – Canadian Press (Halifax)
Nova Scotia Premier to discuss Criminal Code changes with Harper in response to Parsons case
When they meet on Tuesday, Darrell Dexter says the item will be at the top of the discussion list. On Friday, Ross Landry, the N.S. justice minister said he wants to make the circulation of intimate images without consent a criminal act. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/nova-scotia-premier-to-discuss-criminal-code-changes-with-harper-in-response-to-parsons-case/article11437892