June 16, 2013
In 2009, Nelson Mandela’s birthday was recognized in the United Nations General Assembly as Nelson Mandela International Day. The U.N. honours his contribution to international human rights. On Thursday, July 18, he will celebrate his 95th birthday. Human Rights groups in Canada are suggesting dedicating some time to community service to commemorate this great man’s contribution to human rights internationally. Mandela is also an honourary citizen of Canada since 2001, the first living person to be so honoured.
BBC News
‘Sweet’ tribute to Nelson Mandela
A forty second video of 5,000 cups cakes forming a portrait of Mandela by children suffering from cancer anticipates and celebrates his birthday. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23303935
N.Y. Times
California Is Facing More Woes in Prisons
State Governor Brown declared some time a go that the prison woes for California were over. This article summarizes the current crisis and the status of the federal court efforts to achieve compliance with orders to reduce over-crowding, threats to physical health from disease and mental illness treatment problems. The latest issue to surface is an allegation that 150 women were sterilized without consent. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/us/california-is-facing-more-woes-in-prisons.html?_r=0 Related article: Truthout – Jeffrey Franklin Pelican Bay Prison Hunger-Strikers http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/17530-pelican-bay-profiles-jeffrey-franklin
Irish Times – Carl O’Brien
Report to recommend criminal offence for cyberbullying
The Times is anticipating next week a report from the Government’s special rapporteur on child protection, Dr Geoffrey Shannon. The report is expected to suggest the criminalizing of cyberbullying and a series of measures to force schools through child protection measures to respond when cyberbullying is reported. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/report-to-recommend-criminal-offence-for-cyberbullying-1.1459622 Related article: Irish Central – Kerry O’Shea Irish government report recommends cyber bullying to become a criminal act http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Irish-government-report-recommends-cyberbullying-to-become-a-criminal-act-215151241.html#ixzz2Z9TLeC8H
New Times.com (Danbury, CT) – Libor Jany
A drug sentencing law comes under fire
Caught with less than half an ounce of marijuana, Brian Guyton, 18, was determined to be with 1000 yards of a drug-free zone, a school, and was then subject to the mandatory minimum of three years, plus the sentence for the underlying possession offence. Critics suggest that it is almost impossible not to be within 1000 or a school, a daycare, or public housing project. Blacks and Latinos, say the critics, are most impacted in urban centers where every street corner fits into the free-zone. http://www.newstimes.com/local/article/A-drug-sentencing-law-comes-under-fire-4664986.php
Irish Times – Donal Dorr
The new reality of prostitution has to be addressed by a change in the law
Drawing on Rachel Moran’s book Paid For: My Journey Through Prostitution, Dorr, a clergyman, sees some changes currently in the sex trade and is advocating for changing the laws from selling sex to purchasing sex, a move that has reduced prostitution in countries like Norway, Iceland and Sweden. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/the-new-reality-of-prostitution-has-to-be-addressed-by-a-change-in-the-law-1.1465205
UK Government
Impact of sentencing on proven re-offending for adult offenders in England and Wales, 2009-2010
This article attempts to connect the type of sentencing, including length of imprisonment, with the re-offending rates. The 41 page report is in downloadable pdf format and has a summary statement on pages 4-5. Community involvement seems to win out in best practices. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/211811/compendium-reoffending-stats-2013.pdf
Ottawa Restorative Justice Network – Margot Van Sluytman
Justice as lived experience: Healing through Restorative Justice
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. First United Church/All Saints’ Anglican Church 347 Richmond Rd. in the Labyrinth Room
Please RSVP at 613-239-1268 or email at cjpstudent@storm.ca