May 27, 2013
Restorative Justice: Natalie DeFreitas
A Primer and Exploration of Practice across Two North American Cities
The Adler School Institute on Public Safety and Social Justice (IPSSJ), in collaboration with the Illinois Balanced and Restorative Justice Project (IBRJP), has issued a white paper examining restorative justice practice in Chicago and Vancouver. http://www.adler.edu/page/news-events/campus-news/ipssj-releases-restorative-justice-a-primer-and-exploration-of-practice-across-two-north-american-cities The full 21 page report is available in downloadable pdf format: http://www.adler.edu/resources/content/4/1/documents/RJ_WhitePaper_Final_13_04_29.pdf
The International – Nicolas Rochon
Profits Over Justice: The 21st century prison system in America
Rochon offers a history of the development of the use of private prisons and the rationale / circumstances that encouraged mass incarceration. http://www.theinternational.org/articles/422-profits-over-justice-the-21st-century-pr
Huffington Post – Carl Takei
Kanye West, ‘New Slaves’ and a Long Tradition of Locking People Up for Profit
Music video artist Kayne West projects the video on the side of buildings and rejects both mass incarceration and private prisons when he sings “they tryna make new slaves.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carl-takei/kanye-west-new-slaves-and_b_3332509.html
Halifax News Net
Province launches anti-bullying website
The web site provides information targeted to four different groups: children and youth, parents and guardians, educators and schools, and community. NS also intends to create and distribute to all parents a handbook on bullying and cyberbullying. http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/News/2013-05-24/article-3258537/Province-launches-anti-bullying-website/1 NS Anti-bullying website: http://www.antibullying.novascotia.ca
CNN – Chris Boyette
N.Y. police probe possible cyberbullying after girl found hanged
Family members returned home to find that 12 year old Gabrielle Molina had hanged herself and left a suicide note suggesting cyberbullying as a problem. http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/23/us/new-york-girl-death
Michigan News – Jonathan Oostings
Lansing to Washington: Advocate begins walk to highlight fetal alcohol exposure and mental illness
A 58 year old Michigan born Jim Casha, who lives with in-laws in Canada, is planning a 40 day walk from Lansing to Washington to draw attention to the impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) on both mental health and criminality. He has two brothers who grew up with FASD and are now in prison. http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2013/05/lansing_to_washington_advocate.html
Herald Sun News (Australia)
US sheriff’s office ‘profiled Latinos’
Arizona Sherriff Joe Arpaio, of tents and pink jail jump suits fame, has been found to have violated Latino rights by racially targeting. Federal Judge Murray Snow also ruled against the practice of prolonging the detention of Latinos. Next month the court will hear from lawyers about how best to ensure that injunctions to stop the practices could best work. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/us-sheriffs-office-profiled-latinos/story-fni0xqll-1226650422733 Related article: Toronto Star Joe Arpaio, ‘America’s toughest sheriff,’ still believes in pink underwear and harsh justice http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/05/27/joe_arpaio_americas_toughest_sheriff_still_believes_in_pink_underwear_and_harsh_justice.html
The Roanoke Times – Laurence Hammack
Roanoke-area police learn a new approach to people with mental illnesses
Described as psychiatric triage for street cops, the crisis intervention training offers 40 hours of instruction about early intervention and reaching out to community resources. http://www.roanoke.com/news/1952620-12/roanoke-area-police-learn-a-new-approach-to-people.html
The Gazette (Colorado Springs) – Barb Cotter
Experts look to bipolar disorder part of homelessness equation
In trying to come to grips with homelessness, the city’s leaders have conceded that mental illness and treatment, particularly bipolar disorder, frequently form part of the homelessness problem. http://gazette.com/experts-look-to-bipolar-disorder-part-of-homelessness-equation/article/1501253