July 4, 2013
Globe and Mail Editorial
The genius of the 3-D handgun
Professor Matt Ratto of the University of Toronto has raised some controversy around the use of technology by using a three D printer to produce a single shot pistol. Though requiring some special equipment not readily available now, the process raises timely questions about digital technology and personal liberties. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/editorials/the-genius-of-the-3d-handgun/article12965706
Guelph Mercury.com (ON)
U of G, city working on restorative justice program for off-campus students
Patterned after a similar program at Dalhousie (NS), the University of Guelph is asking the city to encourage by-law enforcement officers to pursue restorative justice solutions to neighbours complaints about rowdy off-campus student behaviour.http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/3873393-u-of-g-city-working-on-restorative-justice-program-for-off-campus-students
Prison Reform International: Blogger Nikhil Roy
Nikhil Roy discusses prison policy with Professor Nils Christie
The article explains some of the Christie’s earlier contribution to PRI and offers two principles for better rehabilitation services in prisons: service delivery while still in prison, and independence of professional social services from prison officials. Christie is a speaker for the Howard League in Oxford, Oct. 1, 2013 as well. http://www.penalreform.org/news/pri-blog-nikhil-roy-discusses-prison-policy-professor-nils-christie Howard League Conference: What is Justice: Re-imagining Penal Policy http://www.howardleague.org/what-is-justice-events
University of Berkeley (CA)
Sujatha Baliga: Mindfulness and Restorative Justice
Director of the Restorative Justice Project at the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, Baliga explains the interfacing of the Buddhist practice of mindfulness – having a meditative process in RJ – and her practice as a restorative lawyer in a 20 minute video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmwwpFfLiUg (Link includes other relevant videos for mindfulness. Related video: Sujatha Baliga on Law’s Middle Way: Mindfulness and Restorative Justice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3epEK9wBNv0 )
Metro Halifax – Ruth Davenport
Crime hotspots in Halifax: Police connecting the dots to find them
Halifax police and RCMP have begun the practice of using computerized date to forecast where in the city the crimes and property damage are likely to occur. Called spatial intelligence, the process of mining daily calls and patterns allows anticipating where incidents will occur.http://metronews.ca/news/halifax/724882/halifax-police-fighting-crime-by-the-numbers
Time – Claire Groden
Texas Database Archives Last Words of Death Row Inmates
Spurred by the execution of Kimberly McCarthy, the 500th for Texas since capital punishment was re-instituted and the fourth woman executed in Texas, the state of Texas keeps a record of the last words spoken by those executed.http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/07/01/texas-database-archives-last-words-of-death-row-inmates/#ixzz2Y2UqlGiU Last words databank: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/death_row/dr_executed_offenders.html
Caledon Enterprise (ON)
Region asks Caledon to look at OPP reduction
There may be a new approach to policing coming to a town near you. Caledon Ontario Provincial Police are being asked by the town council to reduce expenses. The council is looking for $120,000 in reduction from proposed cost. The OPP estimates the total cost of one officer for one year at $140,000, and reminded the council of a survey showing “overwhelmingly positive satisfaction” with its police services. Calls for service up, but crime is down with an already low officer to citizen ratio. What to do? http://www.caledonenterprise.com/news-story/3840796-region-asks-caledon-to-look-at-opp-reduction
Vernon (BC) Morning Star – Richard Rolke
Program pursues funds
Local RJ in the North Okanagan want the province to note the savings achieved when the RJ programs are able to resolve crime issues without prison. Current funding is $50,000 from the city of Vernon and since the programming covers five electoral districts advocates say the funding should be provincial and reliable to handle the work load. http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/214038931.html