May 10, 2013
Globe and Mail – Kim Mackrael
Ottawa to support bill giving victims more access to parole hearings
Federal victims’ ombudsperson Sue O’Sullivan is apparently the source for some of the recommendations behind MP David Sweet’s private member’s bill. The third private member’s bill on criminal justice in the last few weeks, critics are concerned that the parole system does not offer the victim any access to the inmate’s rehabilitation in prison and that the extended five year period will mean longer sentences served and many more arriving at sentence expiry and re-integrating without supervision. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-to-support-bill-giving-victims-more-access-to-parole-hearings/article11790456
MacLean’s – Bruce Cheadle
Conservatives raise fears of mentally ill with flawed crime bill, doctors say
Canada’s doctors and mental health professionals are offering to re-write Bill C-54 in an effort to reduce the impact of the flawed elements. http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/05/08/conservatives-raise-fears-of-mentally-ill-with-flawed-crime-bill-doctors-say
Christian Science Monitor – Patrik Jonsson
With gun violence down, is America arming against an imagined threat?
The Pew Research is prompting a new look at gun control as well as the research itself. This link includes a video on a Newtown town meeting about next steps for gun control. http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2013/0508/With-gun-violence-down-is-America-arming-against-an-imagined-threat-video
Monterey County Herald (California)
Other views: Brown’s prison stance no mystery
The resistance and defiance of California’s governor to the federal court orders to reduce the state prison population and to improve the mental health services to inmates gets analysis. It’s the perception of what voters want rather than the federal court orders. http://www.montereyherald.com/opinion/ci_23203504/other-views-browns-prison-stance-no-mystery
The Independent (UK) – Nigel Morris
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling to set out wide-ranging shake-up of the criminal justice system
The U.K. is about to unveil a new bill called the Offenders Rehabilitation Bill and aimed specifically at reducing stubborn re-offending. The bill will require community supervision in all releases and will identify some 70 institutions as re-settlement prisons. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-to-support-bill-giving-victims-more-access-to-parole-hearings/article11790456
University of Texas (Arlington) Herald
UTA Fined $82,500 for Under Reporting Assault Cases in Annual Safety Report
Universities that receive federal funding are required by law to report crime on campus but often avoid the task or fudge the figures so as to remain attractive to incoming students. The fine was imposed on grounds that no information or misinformation on campus crime puts students in danger. http://www.universityherald.com/articles/3208/20130509/uta-fined-82-500-under-reporting-assault-cases-annual-safety.htm Related article from UPI: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/05/09/Texas-school-faces-83000-in-fines-for-inaccurate-crime-reports/UPI-76691368118889
Think Progress – Nicole Flatow
As NYPD Stop-And-Frisks Drop, So Does Crime
Who would think? The NYPD faces a constitutional lawsuit challenge about stop and frisk without cause and the number of stops has seriously declined for the first quarter of 2013. Surprisingly, the crime rate has decreased as well, according to the city’s own numbers. http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/05/09/1983121/as-nypd-stop-and-frisks-drop-so-does-crime/?mobile=nc
Bennington Banner (Washington State) – Keith Whitcomb, Jr.
Center for Restorative Justice braces for changes to marijuana law
Washington State voted in a referendum to de-criminalize small amounts (less than 1 oz) of marijuana. The centre is trying to anticipate how what remains on the law books will play out among the 16-20 year olds who still face possible legal consequences. http://www.benningtonbanner.com/news/ci_23211826/center-restorative-justice-braces-changes-marijuana-law
Midland (ON) Free Press – Gisele Winton Sarvis
High school play tackles cyber-bullying and exploitation issues
The Grade 12 drama class of St. Theresa’s Catholic High School in Midland first performed a play focusing on the dangers of cyber threats including cyberbullying and sexual exploitation. Then a psychologist, a police officer and a chaplain together with the cast answered questions from the audience. http://www.midlandfreepress.com/2013/05/08/high-school-play-tackles-cyber-bullying-and-exploitation-issues