Schools

April 26, 2013

 Halifax Herald (video) 
Tories and NDP in sync on cyber-bullying

 Thomas Mulcair and Stephen Harper seem to agree but this report is not sure about exactly what they agree on with reference to criminalizing preventative measures around the recent deaths from cyber-bullying.  http://thechronicleherald.ca/videos/news/2325014024001#

 Globe and Mail – Tony Volk
Cyberbullying: Focus on insight, not punishment

 Cyberbullying is not only a new term, and a new challenge for enacting criminal law around, but claims Volk cyberbullying is clearly crying out for a clearer and more precise understanding before enacting criminal laws, even though the recent suicide suggests urgency is needed. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/cyberbullying-focus-on-insight-not-punishment/article11566629 

 Education Week (US) – Ross Brenneman
As Restorative Justice Spreads, When Do You Suspend? 

 Given that a lot of current research suggests strongly that out of school suspension do not help but in fact probably encourage drop-outs, as RJ practices become the norm, when do you suspend?  The article looks at issues in the Detroit Educational Achievement Authority which oversees some 15 of the city’s most troubled schools.  http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2013/04/detroit_schools_have_discipline_problems.html  

 Los Angeles Magazine – Shayna Rose Arnold
A Stroke of Love: Artist Fabian Debora on Painting Father Gregory Boyle for Los Angeles Magazine

Credited with being the most effective anti-gang approach to date, Jesuit Father Greg Boyle has inspired many who know him through the Homeboys Industries.  One of those so inspired is the artist who also runs a substance abuse program for Homeboys Industries. http://www.lamag.com/offtherecord/2013/04/22/a-stroke-of-love-artist-fabian-debora-on-painting-father-gregory-boyle-for-los-angeles-magazine 

 The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) – Jane Roberts
Spectre of Memphis school closings raises concerns of clashes between cliques, gangs 

 Closing schools and transferring students from one neighbourhood to another forces Boards to consider the threats, implied and real, around crossing another gang’s turf en route to the new school, a problem also encountered recently in Chicago. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/apr/24/specter-of-memphis-school-closings-raises-of/?CID=happeningnow

 IIRP – PBS Video (Bethlehem, PA)
Stand up and be counted!

 Liberty High School takes a RJ approach to bullying and problem solving.  PBS broadcast this video explaining the process used some time ago.http://www.iirp.edu/restorative-practices-on-tempo-indepth.php?utm_source=SaferSanerSchools+News+April+2013&utm_campaign=SaferSanerSchools+News+January+2013&utm_medium=email

 N.Y. Times – Charlie Savage
Despair Drives Guantánamo Detainees to Revolt

 93 of the 186 prisoners are on a hunger strike now well into its third month and 17 inmates are being force-fed through nose tubes.  No new prisoners arrive and none leave.  “The situation is not sustainable,” said Kenneth Wainstein, the top national security official at the Justice Department in the Bush administration. “There are strong, principled arguments on both sides, but all of us across the spectrum have to acknowledge that this is far from an ideal situation and we need an exit strategy.”  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/us/guantanamo-prison-revolt-driven-by-inmates-despair.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

 CBC News – Chris Hall
The every-backbencher-with-a-crime-bill week

 Just can’t get enough of that old mantra ‘tough-on-crime’!  Tory back-bencher James Bezan has introduced a bill (with Rob Nicholson’s support) to allow judges to impose a 40 years without parole sentence on abduction, sexual assault and murder.  Chris Hall wonders why the back-benchers are so active and given a prominent role in legislation normally introduced by a minister.   http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/04/25/f-vp-hall-backbenchers-crime.html

 Now Magazine – Enzo Di Matteo
Smoke signals – 4:20 celebrations went off without a hitch Saturday, but when it comes to policing pot in the big smoke, it’s reefer madness all over again

 In keeping with the principle of grabbing the low hanging fruit, Toronto police have made more arrests for marijuana possession that for all other drugs in 2011.  The rate has gone from 144.3 in 2004 to 158.4 per 100,000 population in 2011.  Though there is some evidence that “no charge” is sometimes an outcome for encounters with police, there is no increase in the number of charges for growth, importation and distribution since 2003.  The 420 movement seeks to eliminate marijuana possession  from the criminal code entirely. http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=192217

 New Jersey Record –  Richard Cowen and Barbara Williams
Confrontations with mentally ill residents pose dilemma for North Jersey police

 Faced with four recent incidents of the use of deadly force with mentally ill suspects, the police, John Jay School of Criminology Professor and ex-policeman Eugene O’Donnell says:  “We’re in a national mental health emergency, and we don’t have the infrastructure to deal with it.” http://www.northjersey.com/leonia/Confrontatons_with_mentally_ill_people_pose_dilemma_for_police_.html 

 RJBC announces:
Bonding behind Bars

 A panel of international visionaries will share how they are working to change the lives and paths of children whose parents are living behind bars.  The event takes place Wednesday, May 8, 2013 in Vancouver.   http://www.rjbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/BTB-May-8-2013-speakers-event.pdf

 Toronto Sun – Sam Pazzano, Jessica Murphy  , QMI Agency
Accused Toronto terrorist’s ordered deportation delayed by his statelessness

 Raed Jaser, one of the two accused terrorist in the Via Rail case, is a stateless person who was once ordered deported from Canada.  He first arrived in Canada in 1993 as a minor with his family.  Everyone else in the family was accepted under the DROG program except Jaser.  http://www.torontosun.com/2013/04/25/accused-toronto-terrorist-raed-jaser-ordered-deported-in-1998