May 28, 2013
Globe and Mail Editorial
Sometimes victims’ rights clash with public safety
The editorial offers an opinion on Bill C-479 and wonders with the Executive Director of Ottawa Victim Services if the bill may not put public safety at greater risk, not less. Is the protection of victims the paramount consideration in the law? Or is C-479, at least in part, another over-reaching political outreach? http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/editorials/sometimes-victims-rights-clash-with-public-safety/article12139733
CBC News
Prison watchdog worried about mental health crime bill
Howard Sapers concerned about impact of Bill C-54 on prison population
C-54 deals with the Not-criminally-responsible conviction and Sapers is concerned that the measures are such that defence lawyers will not want to use the NCR defense and that there will be more mentally ill in prison rather than hospital. It is the third bill for debate starting today. http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/canada/story/2013/05/27/pol-ncr-sapers.html
Medical xpress.com(UK)
Managing an ageing prison population
Critics are suggesting that the increase use of life sentences and the use of indeterminate sentences is not only increasing the number of inmates but leading to an age of inmate increase as well, bringing health issues and medical care for the inmates to the forefront. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-ageing-prison-population.html The site offers in pdf format (212 pages) a link to some powerful testimony by professionals interspersed with testimony from some of these elderly inmates about their needs and the medical problems faced with the current institutional response.http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmjust/writev/olderprisoners/olderprisoners.pdf
CBC The Current – Anna Maria Tremonti
The fight to keep babies behind bars
BC once had a prison mom program that allowed imprisoned women to keep their enfant children with them. On Monday (May 27) lawyers argued the relative merits and rights involved before the Supreme Court of BC. http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2013/05/27/the-fight-to-keep-babies-behind-bars
Edmonton Journal – Elise Stolte
Scottish success at root of Edmonton’s strategy to reduce violence
Retired homicide detective and consultant on violence John Carnochan from Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit has some medical advice for Edmonton. “Treat crime as a public health issue,” he said. Make domestic violence a priority because violence is learned at home in the early years, and make sure police work hand in hand with schools, housing authorities, social workers and communities.” http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Treat+violence+like+disease+expert+Scottish+success+root+Edmonton+strategy+reduce+violence/8441547/story.html Scottish Violence Reduction Unit: http://www.who.int/violenceprevention/about/participants/vru_scotland/en/index.html
Stuff.NZ.com – Caleb Harris
‘You can hurt without it turning into hate’
A widow and mother of three inspired a judge and the court using a RJ process in the death of the husband and father. “It’s not about forgetting any of it, the hurt and pain and what happened. But you can hurt without it turning into hate,” Ms Hera Edwards told the court. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/8723175/You-can-hurt-without-it-turning-into-hate
Cleveland Plain Dealer (Ohio) – Stan Donaldson
Ohio Department of Corrections says violent rules infractions for inmates have decreased
Officials are suggesting that a marginal improvement in the violent rules infractions stems from a three tier system based on restricted movement for those prone to violence. Inmates can work on goals for a lower classification with more movement. http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2013/05/ohio_department_of_corrections.html
Oxford Mail (UK)
‘We mustn’t be afraid of a racial backlash’
England is struggling with how to respond to the presence of gangs who enslave young white girls as sex slaves. Five of the seven convicted to date have been Muslim and Pakistani. The communities and authorities are fearful of racial backlash. http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10445002._We_mustn_t_be_afraid_of_a_racial_backlash_
NBC News 10 – Philadelphia
Crime Fighting Trees Transform Philly – Greening neighbourhoods is proving to be a good way to reduce crime
The city and the state Horticultural Society have come together in neighbourhoods to restore to nature and parklands areas which were allowed to become by neglect garbage collection spots in the neighbourhood. Crime does not happen as much in areas obviously cared for. http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Crime-Fighting-Trees-Transform-Philly-208895771.html