June 25, 2013
CBC News (Hamilton, ON) Denise Davy
Slain child’s mom against tougher laws for mentally ill offenders
Sixteen years ago, Lori Triano-Antidormi’s two and a half year old toddler , Zachary, was stabbed 12 times by a deranged neighbour. In spite of the continued heart-break, Triano-Antidormi appeared before the Commons Justice Committee protesting the federal government’s bill C-54 with its NCR changes. “This would not have prevented Zachary from being murdered,” said Triano-Antidormi. The main problem, and what the bill does not address, she said, are the gaps in the mental health system.” http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2013/06/21/hamilton-antidormi.html
CBC News – Canadian Press
Harm reduction more effective than war on drugs in B.C.
This 15 year study is concluding that the use of harm reduction practices are more effective in reducing illicit drug use in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, long regarded as ground zero for HIV infection. The B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and Dr. Thomas Kerr, co-director of the Urban Health Research Initiative are crediting a health rather than a drug enforcement approach. http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2013/06/24/bc-health-drugs-harm-reduction-study.html
Nobullying.com
When Your Child Is the Bully
Here is a site from Northern Ireland that offers advice to a variety of groups on the problem or bullying or cyberbullying. The site offers some signs that your child is the bully and some suggestions for responsible parents. http://nobullying.com/when-your-child-is-the-bully
QMI Agency – Ben Forrest
St. Thomas/Elgin has a long history of caring and supporting those with severe and persistent mental illness
St. Thomas (Ontario) has a new mental health facility: the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health. The Centre, in a new building but already 37 years old, caters, among others, to those found Not-criminally-responsible. In the words of Brett Batten, a mental health advocate and former forensic patient: “When I see this building I am convinced the individuals who will pass through here will be cared for on many levels. I hope these surroundings remind them they are not abandoned or forgotten. When I see this building I know my community cares about mental illness. When I see this building I know society has compassion.” http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/2013/06/24/st-thomaselgin-has-a-long-history-of-caring-and-supporting-those-with-severe-and-persistent-mental-illness
Prison Reform Trust (UK)
Offender Rehabilitation Bill
The UK is preparing to pass new legislation to implement what it calls a revolutionary way of dealing with offenders. The link is to a number of related documents as the Bill itself has progressed through consultation and feedback.Transforming Rehabilitation – a revolution in the way we manage offenders https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/transforming-rehabilitation Full parliamentary document: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/2013-2014/0002/lbill_2013-20140002_en_1.htm
Prison Reform Trust (UK) and BBC Radio: Women’s Hour
Women and Alternate Sentencing
This is a one hour BBC broadcast highlighting the increase in women in prison in recent years and seeking to clarify the effectiveness of options other than prison, especially for low risk offenders. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b02x93cw?dm_i=47L,1LBIR,6JSCMH,5I3U0,1
Brampton Guardian (ON) – Louie Rosella
Heroin smuggler sentenced to life
Ali Murtaza, 38, was convicted of smuggling 116 kilograms of heroin worth $100 million plus in the GTA. The sentence – life with no parole for 7 years – is the maximum allowable under the criminal code. Murtazza’s wife has also been convicted and to be sentenced later in August. http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/3854013-heroin-smuggler-sentenced-to-life
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday – Sasha Harrinanan
Canada helps TT prison reform
Corrections Canada is advising the government on several areas of corrections including management of data, the real estate architecture, the use of restorative justice approaches and the control of cell phones by inmates. The exchange follows a MOU between the two governments signed in 2012. http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,179697.html
Monterey County The Herald (California) – Julia Reynolds
State hospital email contradicts prison mental health claim
The federal court order for the reduction of the prison population by 10,000 by year’s end is bringing more controversy beyond the state’s claim that releasing inmates without transition preparation is dangerous. E-mails from mental health people are suggesting that contrary to sworn testimony of prison officials, the mental health inmates are treated for nine months and released by prison policy rather than by assessments from mental health. http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_23532671/state-hospital-email-contradicts-prison-mental-health-claim Related article: L.A. Times – Paige St. John – Judge orders some inmates at high risk of valley fever out of two prisons http://www.latimes.com/news/local/political/la-me-pc-ff-court-orders-inmates-moved-out-of-valley-fever-prisons-20130624,0,2870415.story
CKPG – Prince George, BC radio
Restorative Justice Referrals Down
The Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society says that referrals are down from 50 to 12 for juveniles. The decision to refer to the Crown or to RJ solution is that of the constable and RCMP say there is an adjustment within the RJ services taking place. http://ckpg.com/restorative-justice-referrals-down