June 27, 2013
Globe and Mail – Steven Chase
Canada looks to put GPS bracelets on more migrants
According to testimony before MP’s, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has 400-500 people in detention any given day. It has only three or four using a GPS bracelet. Cost efficiency is the goal – how to detain more for less. New comers to Canada are detained if they are undocumented, a security risk or a flight risk. Most refugees arrive without documentation or with phoney documents used to escape a repressive regime. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadia-border-services-agency-plans-to-buy-gps-bracelets/article12850370
RJ Victoria – RJ Paper of the Month – Terri Kalaski
RCMP and RJ in BC: Exploring the Potential
The paper is a dissertation thesis (119 pages) for an M.A. in Restorative Justice at the University of Hull. RJ Practioners may find Chapters 6 and 7 of particular interest – the discussion of the finding and the challenges for the future.http://rjvictoria.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/dissertation-final-submission.pdf
Daily Record and Sunday Mail (Edinburgh, Scotland) – Nicola Stow
Thousands of children benefit after cash is seized from criminals
Since introduced in 2007, the Proceeds of Crime Act has collected over £50 million and ploughed it back into community projects and sports for the benefit of some 60,000 children. In Edinburgh alone £2.58 million has supported the recreational activities of over 30,000 children. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/thousands-children-benefit-after-cash-1997067
Independent.com (Nebraska)
Fewer ICE detainees point to U.S. policy shift, problems for county jail
What to do with a $22 million bond on the new jail? Fill it with immigration detainers! But then, what if the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracts dry up because of budget cuts. What’s a poor jailer to do? http://www.theindependent.com/opinion/editorial/fewer-ice-detainees-point-to-u-s-policy-shift-problems/article_43a5496e-dde8-11e2-a461-0019bb2963f4.html
Kenosa News (Wisconsin) – Deneen Smith
Behavioral treatment court accepts first referral
Wisconsin has a new court – one for people who are repeatedly and without avail brought before it! Called a behavioural court, and much like the drug and alcohol treatment courts, defendants will go through a closely supervised treatment from a year to eighteen months. The candidates must be repeatedly offenders and must have some sort of mental health issue to be eligible. http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/behavioral_treatment_court_accepts_first_referral_472131414.html
Vera Institute of Justice (US)
New website helps improve coordination between justice and health systems
Noting that people who are involved in the criminal justice system have significantly higher rates of behavioural and physical health needs than the general population, Vera is suggesting that the time has come to have health and justice talk to each other. The new web site enables the conversation, noting “There are more than 3 times as many individuals with mental illness in jails and prisons as there are in state hospitals.” http://www.jhconnect.org
Casa Grande Dispatch (California) – Associated Press
California prisoners believed at risk: Health complex dedicated amid crisis
The federal-state confrontation is warming up over the issue of the state’s health care for inmates. The courts have now ordered the immediate transfer of some 3250 inmates threatened by Valley Disease. Last week the federal court ordered the release of 10,000 inmates state-wide while the state is preparing for the opening of a new health facility / prison in Stockton. http://www.trivalleycentral.com/casa_grande_dispatch/national_news/california-prisoners-believed-at-risk-health-complex-dedicated-amid-crisis/article_0b96fd54-de76-11e2-87a1-0019bb2963f4.html
NewsReview.com – Raheem F. Hosseini
Let’s rethink gang-prevention tactics
The Sacramento (California) Police Department have a list of 10 criteria to assess gang membership, any three of which can get you a gang member file and would allow prosecutors to pursue gang related mandatory sentencing. http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/lets-rethink-gang-prevention-tactics/content?oid=10378120
Cornishman West Briton (UK)
‘Restorative justice’ for young Cedars Hotel arsonists
Three boys between ages 10-11 admitted having set fire to an abandoned hotel and both police and the property owners are happy with a restorative justice approach. The culprits will go with fire prevention officials on school visits focusing on the dangers of wandering into derelict buildings. http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/8216-Restorative-justice-8217-young-Cedars-Hotel/story-19385726-detail/story.html#axzz2XQL3ocFN
Hull Daily Mail (UK) – Kevin Shoesmith
Man who hanged himself in jail should not have been prisoner say parents
Parents said that when their son attacked his father, they were told he would get the help he needed if they agreed to charges. Instead, Vince Morgan got 18 months in jail and no help, despite repeated requests by his parents for psychiatric intervention for a mental condition brought on by a childhood head injury.http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Man-hanged-jail-prisoner-say-parents/story-19406428-detail/story.html#ixzz2XQNZ3Qwk
The Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children and the London Co-ordinating Committee to End Violence against Women (London, ON)
Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: Reducing Harm & Preventing Tragedies Conference
Marconi Club, 120 Clarke Rd., London, ON Friday, September 20, 2013, 9 am to 4 pm To register: https://conferences.adt.its.uwo.ca/default.aspx?conferenceID=90