May 7, 2013 –
Toronto Star – Laurie Monsebraaten
York University project combats the ‘violence of low expectation’ plaguing youth
York University researcher Uza Anucha is trying to make a difference to young people who have low expectation of themselves and therefore become potentially prime gang recruits. Creating expectations by making connections between learning and potential for success is the key and pairing with 40 university students is the technique. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/05/05/york_university_project_combats_the_violence_of_low_expectation_plaguing_youth.html
News Observer.com (Raleigh, NC) – Craig Jarvis
Central Prison changes way of dealing with mentally ill
Central Prison has a new ward for the mentally ill and a new training program for the guards who work there. Former administrator Benny Langdon teaches correctional officers and police how to intervene in a non-violent way with the mentally ill.http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/05/05/2873172/central-prison-changes-way-of.html#storylink=cpy
Globe and Mail – Kim Mackrael
Mental-health groups oppose crime bill changes for ‘high-risk’ offenders
A coalition of nine national mental health organizations have voiced their opposition to Bill C-54 saying it will further stigmatize mental illness and put the public at risk. C-54 allows the designation of ‘high risk’ to the Not-criminally-responsible (NCR) classification. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/mental-health-groups-oppose-crime-bill/article11743245
Vancouver Sun – Mike Hager
Huge marijuana growing operation with underground bunker busted in Mission
This article is a timely reminder of the connection between the violence and gangs of BC and the marijuana growth and distribution. The crop is worth $40 million and is cultivated by a biker gang, perhaps Hells Angels. http://www.vancouversun.com/Huge+marijuana+growing+operation+with+underground+bunker+busted+Mission/8345769/story.html#ixzz2SbzvUHno
ACLU – Carl Takei
Two Weeks of Protests Start Tomorrow! 30 Years of For-Profit Prisons Is Nothing to Celebrate
The Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) is tomorrow celebrating 30 years of private prisons in the US. They operate 37 prisons and immigration detention centers and openly admit that their profitability depends on higher numbers incarcerated. The ACLU has other links to CCA’s own propaganda as well.http://www.aclu.org/blog/prisoners-rights/two-weeks-protests-start-tomorrow-30-years-profit-prisons-nothing-celebrate
Boston Globe – Milton J. Valencia
Solitary confinement comes under new scrutiny
Neil Miller, one of those who endured prolonged periods of solitary and was later vindicated by DNA evidence and freed, describes first hand the impact of solitary on mental health. On any given day, about 500 are held in segregation in the state’s prisons. “It’s a mental game in there,” says Miller. “You’re fighting with your own sanity, trying to keep yourself together.” http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/05/06/use-segregation-prisons-comes-under-new-scrutiny/6HtnI5l8i8MthcQf88wP2L/story.html
The Public Service (UK)
Leadership will be key as prisons go private, says Hardwick
Nick Hardwick is the Chief Inspector of Prisons in the UK and admits to the change of five prisons to private management by a security company G4S. The decision reflects a belief that the average cost will go down by over £13,000 but no one appears to consider what reductions are in store.http://www.publicservice.co.uk/publicservant/news/22775
Globe and Mail – Marvin Bernstein
New laws and tougher punishments won’t end cyberbullying. We need to get involved
Chief policy advisor to UNICEF, Bernstein thinks laws are not enough but that education and joint strategies between the provinces and the federal government is needed in community using RJ strategies. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/new-laws-and-tougher-punishments-wont-end-cyberbullying-we-need-to-get-involved/article11744424
IIRP
The Restorative Practices Handbook for Teachers, Disciplinarians and Administrators by Bob Costello, Joshua Wachtel and Ted Wachtel
“A practical guide for educators interested in implementing restorative practices, an approach that proactively builds positive school communities while dramatically reducing discipline referrals, suspensions and expulsions.” http://www.iirp.edu/oscommerce-2.3.1/catalog/login.php?osCsid=uogjltfae70v7749fljpl2mns5