We ain’t there yet!

May 20, 2013

 Vancouver Province – I.M. GreNada
We ain’t there yet!

 A B.C. lifer reflects on an exchange between two advocates – one a victim’s advocate, the other a conflict mediator.  The views are contextualized by parenting practices.  He is convinced that morality involves reason only later, after the moral decision. http://blogs.theprovince.com/2013/05/19/we-aint-there-yet

 Guardian Observer (UK) – Louise Tickle
Lawyers’ treatment of Oxford abuse ring victim prompts call for reform

Long recognized as a further debilitating part of sex crimes for the victims, one victim was subjected to three weeks of cross examination every day by seven defence lawyers as England’s most famous case of school girl grooming for sexual exploitation goes to court. http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2013/may/19/lawyers-oxford-abuse-ring   Related article:  Daily Mirror News – (UK) Police probe at least 54 more evil child sex grooming gangs http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/police-probe-least-54-more-1896991 Related article:  The Independent (UK) The Oxford child sex abuse case shows how the media talks in stereotypes but misses the big picture http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-oxford-child-sex-abuse-case-shows-how-the-media-talks-in-stereotypes-but-misses-the-big-picture-8622337.html  Related article: Times (UK) Child grooming net widens as 54 gangs face investigation http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/incoming/article3769267.ece    

 Yale University Herald – Stephen Adkins
Yale Fined $165,000 for Inadequate Reporting of Campus Crime Statistics

 The U.S. Department of Education has fined Yale $27,500 for each of four incidents, plus related offences, over seven years for which the university failed to report.  The failure is likely tied to public relations concerns about student selection of universities whose campus is regarded as less than safe.  At least six others have incurred similar fines. http://www.universityherald.com/articles/3254/20130518/yale-fined-165-000-inadequate-reporting-campus-crime-statistics.htm 

 Restorative Justice International – Lisa M. Rea
Restorative Justice: The New Way Forward 

 Former director of the Sycamore Tree Project in Texas, Rea says: “Restorative justice principles invite us to reconsider the nature of crime: it is not an offense of a criminal against the state, but an offense committed by one individual (the offender) against other individuals (the victims). http://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php/163073.pdf

 End Child Detention (Australia)
Take a voluntary detention to end immigration detention

 School children across the country are taking a voluntary lunch time detention to stand in solidarity with immigrant children in detention.  Facing an election, people expect the issue of immigration detention will be contentious.  http://endchilddetention.org/take-a-voluntary-detention-to-end-immigration-detention

 New Zealand Herald – Joanne Carroll
Stop, go, freeze: Our fear of crime

 Like Canada and the U.S., the crime rates are down significantly and steadily since 1982, yet many citizens believe otherwise and ‘fear of crime’ remains high even though based on faulty reality.  Carroll suggests that the fear has been generated by a few very high profile cases and the media reporting on these high profile cases. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10884516

 BBC News – Andrew Clark
Why Is Violent Crime So Rare in Iceland?

 A PhD thesis in the making, Clark tries to discover why despite the presence of guns all over, Iceland has one of the lowest murder rates in the world and people there are without fear of violent crime.  http://www.amren.com/news/2013/05/why-is-violent-crime-so-rare-in-iceland

 Boston Globe – Michael Brick, Associated Press
Making mentally ill defendants ready for trial

Given that the standards for mental competency to stand trial are not very high, some states have begun treatment for ‘restoring competency’ in the holding facility prior to trial on the grounds that prior treatment is both cheaper and more effective. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2013/05/19/making-mentally-ill-defendants-ready-for-trial/LvPo4ACXr9WaCJNajDziKL/story.html

Toronto Star – Tristan McConnell
Is this the world’s gentlest prison? 

 In Kenya, maximum security prison for women is somewhat different than what one may imagine in other countries.  Even the guards get yoga treatments for the duration! http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/05/20/is_this_the_worlds_gentlest_prison.html