June 11, 2013
The Independent (UK) – Paul Peachey
Legal aid changes ‘will lead to convictions of innocent’
The Criminal Cases Review Commission, itself a government agency, is mandated to investigate miscarriages of justice. The Commission is concerned that cuts to legal aid (£220M) and new limited access may undermine the defence ability to confront false confessions from mentally ill defendants. The revision to legal aid eligibility and the cuts have a number of bodies concerned. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/legal-aid-changes-will-lead-to-convictions-of-innocent-8651454.html Related article: Guardian (UK) Editorial Cutting legal aid is the surest way to threaten justice http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jun/09/observer-editorial-legal-aid-cuts Related article: Guardian (UK) Crown court judges oppose legal aid changes http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2013/jun/06/crown-court-judges-oppose-legal-aid-reforms
Global News – Associated Press
MPs hear emotional plea to toughen up justice system for mentally ill offenders
Stacy Galt, a cousin to Darcie Clarke whose children were murdered by Allan Schoenborn, the father of the children, testified before the Senate Justice Committee on the NCR Bill C-54. Five mental health professional followed her testimony and suggested that, as is, the Bill will not work and is misdirected at the wrong end of the problem since the NCR are almost never repeat offenders. http://globalnews.ca/news/630040/mps-hear-emotional-plea-to-toughen-up-justice-system-for-mentally-ill-offenders
New York Times An op-ed by Richard A. Viguerie
A Conservative Case for Prison Reform
Viguerie identifies three concerns for Conservatives around prisons: public safety, compassion and controlled government spending which he thinks, are at the heart of true Conservative principles. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/opinion/a-conservative-case-for-prison-reform.html?_r=0
The Atlantic – Andrew Cohen
One of the Darkest Periods in the History of American Prisons
Cohen offers a specific summary of the recent revelations of cruel and inhumane treatment of inmates (with consequent lawsuits) within prisons in Florida, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The cruelty to the mentally ill in particular is highlighted at both federal and state levels where the mistreatment involves significant failure in constitutional standards. http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/06/one-of-the-darkest-periods-in-the-history-of-american-prisons/276684
Huffington Post – Amanda Reiman
How to Lie With Statistics
Popular opinion and government propaganda often both rely on statistics to make a point. The process also often involves elements of personal belief that pre-dispose us to ready acceptance. Marijuana and crime are two such bêtes noirs which are used in this article to illustrate how easy it is to fall into distortions of the ‘truth’ that statistics offer. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amanda-reiman/marijuana-and-crime_b_3416385.html
National Day of Action – June 17th
Stop Cuts to Refugee Health Care
Despite widespread opposition from a broad group of health care workers across Canada, the federal government has implemented cuts to health insurance for refugees. As predicted, many are suffering as a result. There have been well documented cases of people being denied care including pregnant women and sick children. Health care workers join others in continuing to speak out for those who do not have the opportunity to do so. Demonstrations are planned for 17 cities across Canada. www.doctorsforrefugeecare.ca (Ed note: Normally health matters for refugees is outside our interest at communiqué. This exception is for the sake of networking with partners in health care.)
Evening Times (Glasgow, Scotland)
Charity earns award for its youth project
Recognized for a 90% reduction in offending rates, Includem Gangs Project reaches out to the most troubled and vulnerable in the city. The program works on five principles which appear to be accumulating evidence of effectiveness. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/charity-earns-award-for-its-youth-project-126919n.21305962 Home web page: http://www.includem.org
Solitary Watch (US)
U.S. DOJ Documents Torturous Treatment of Prisoners with Mental Illness in Pennsylvania Solitary Confinement Unit
The article is a well referenced document by the Human Rights Coalition on the state correctional facility at Cresson, PA, and the use solitary confinement on mentally ill inmates. The article uses the report following an 18 month investigation by the federal Department of Justice into the denial of constitutional rights. http://solitarywatch.com/2013/06/10/u-s-doj-documents-torturous-treatment-of-prisoners-with-mental-illness-in-pennsylvania-solitary-confinement-unit
US Blogger No Points for Style
Inarticulate Screaming By Adrienne
The article responds to Andrew Cohen’s piece referenced in today’s communiqué and puts some stark reference points around the way the mentally ill are treated in prison. http://www.nopointsforstyle.com/2013/06/inarticulate-screaming.html
Arizona Daily Sun – Larry Hendricks
Do NOT go to jail
The first of three articles that walks through the process that brought one county to a specialized mental health court that also saw established the Criminal Justice Co-ordinating Council whose purpose was to bring all the players in a repeatedly overwhelming jail population. Problems were compounded with detention of undocumented immigrants. http://azdailysun.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/do-not-go-to-jail/article_3854a359-ec92-5f64-8d62-c68764999dbb.html Second article: Do NOT go to jail: For their own safety — and ours?http://azdailysun.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/do-not-go-to-jail-for-their-own-safety-/article_7a4a625b-64ad-5ce1-9082-f0131981ceea.html (Third article due tomorrow.)