May 30, 2013
CBC Alberta
Troubled First Nation School’s TV Course Aims to Spark Interest in Education
Getting students to school is the first obstacle so this First Nations School offers a media center where students can challenge themselves and voice their personal and community concerns. (A 6 ½ minute video) http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/05/28/mustang-tv-mistassiniy-school-wabasca_n_3344199.html
CBC News Saskatoon
Saskatoon remand centre shelved – Plan to ease overcrowding in limbo
Slightly over 50% of provincial and municipal jails involve inmates who are on remand – charged and held in custody but not convicted. Crowding in remand centres is as problematic, as dangerous and as costly as in federal institutions. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/story/2013/05/28/saskatoon-remand-centre-limbo-130529.html
Winnipeg Free Press – Mary Agnes Welch
First Nations must lead in aboriginal court: Swan
MB Justice Minister Andrew Swan wants Aboriginals themselves to ‘kick-start’ an Aboriginal court. Aboriginal courts are already functioning in other jurisdictions and are viewed as one way to confront the disproportionate numbers in prisons. Manitoba has the second highest incarceration rate for Aboriginals. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/first-nations-must-lead-in-aboriginal-court-swan-209470751.html
Vancouver Sun
Khadr transferred to Edmonton prison after threat on life
Having heard about the case of Khadr for quite some time, his presence now in Canada is determined by an extra pat of butter.http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Khadr+transferred+Edmonton+prison+after+threat+life/8453938/story.html#ixzz2UmOy4Wol
CBC News
Rob Nicholson not worried mental-health crime bill will fuel stigma – Bill reforming system for those found not criminally responsible passed vote Tuesday
C-54 has passed second reading and proposes changes in the not-criminally responsible treatment under the criminal code. Among other changes, C-54 creates a high-risk designation and increases the length of time between psychiatric assessments. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/05/28/pol-ncr-debate-.html
Anglican Diocese of Melbourne (Australia)
Prevention of Violence against Women (PVAW)
This report is a 70 page downloadable document with an executive summary on p. 8, a diocesan strategic policy on p. 38ff and several other helpful sections, offered as a strategy to combat the current 38% of personal violence which occurs in a family context. Justice groups within the traditional faith based context may find this document helpful.http://www.melbourne.anglican.com.au/ServingCommunity/src/Pages/Prevention-of-Violence-Against-Women.aspx Related article: The Victoria Age (Australia) – Family violence drives up crime rate http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/family-violence-drives-up-crime-rate-20130529-2nbz0.html Related article: Telegraph News (Sydney, AU) Domestic violence on the rise, according to latest Victoria Police statistics http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/domestic-violence-on-the-rise-according-to-latest-victoria-police-statistics/story-fnii5smt-1226652821526
Public Safety Canada _ National Office for Victims
Preparing Victims for the Release of a Federal Offender
What are the victim’s options in preparation for the release of an offender? This brochure outlines various action steps which can be helpful to being safe in the community. http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/cor/nov/_fl/prprng-vctms-eng.pdf
Huffington Post (US) – Blogger Sally Lee – Special guest Hilary Lustick
Just Restoration vs. “It’s Just Policy”: What Will it Take to Truly Reform School Discipline?
The author offers some insight into the struggle with superintendents and boards to embrace RJ practices as an alternative to suspensions and drop-outs. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sally-lee/just-restoration-vs-its-j_b_3353696.html
Jamestown Sun (US) – Associated Press
DOJ report shows spike in reservation crime cases
Justice officials are now required to track the crime stats on reservations and the initial response is a 54% in federally prosecuted crimes, though the Justice Department is far from satisfied with this first report covering the last three years since the 2010 Tribal Law and Order Act. http://www.jamestownsun.com/event/article/id/187507/group/News
Orlando Sentinel (FL) – Maria Rodriguez, Guest columnist
Immigration reform must keep families together, out of poverty
This article paints a distressing picture of what happens when parental deportation leaves children behind. Family breakdown and dire poverty often follows in the wake. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-criminalizing-immigrants-053013-20130529,0,5523216.story
WND Chicago – John Bennett
Firemen on patrol to fight Chicago gangs
This fall, Chicago Public Schools will close schools and children will be forced to cross through gang turfs to get to their new schools. The fire Department has been ordered by Commissioner Jose Santiago to provide security to the children. http://www.wnd.com/2013/05/firemen-on-patrol-to-fight-chicago-gangs/?cat_orig=us