July 19, 2013
Wheels.ca
The kinder side of vigilante justice
Elizabeth Webb and her husband are a different kind of vigilante. When her car was ransacked, she discovered the cell phone of the culprit and instead of the police, she called the other 12 victims with the two youthful offenders in tow. http://www.wheels.ca/news/mom-pursues-softer-side-of-vigilante-justice
Restorative Justice in Europe (RJE)
Surveys for victims and professionals
The idea is that these surveys, one for victims and one for professionals, will help sharpen the focus for RJ approaches. The link also offers some additional info on the design and purposes and resources – an attempt to develop evidence based information for guidance in RJ programs. A survey monkey allows one to see the questions without completing the surveys. http://www.rj4all.info/content/rje-surveys
Huffington Post (US) – Saki Knafo
Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Wastes Money and Resources, Say Former Federal Prosecutors and Judges
53 former judges and prosecutors have sent a letter to the US Congress in which they say “”the money wasted on keeping nonviolent and nonthreatening offenders locked behind bars for years longer than necessary could be better spent on anti-crime programs that actually will enhance public safety.” Some on Capitol Hill are listening. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/17/mandatory-minimum-sentencing_n_3612081.html
Families against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) (US)
Appropriations Pushes BOP on Compassionate Release
The FAMM press release charges that the US Bureau of Prisons does not apply the compassionate release guidelines as intended and is relieved that the budget pressures and overcrowding are now forcing the issue. http://www.famm.org/newsandinformation/PressReleases/AppropriationsPushesBOPonCompassionateRelease.aspx Related article: BOP Report on compassionate Release (April 2013) The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Compassionate Release Program http://www.justice.gov/oig/reports/2013/e1306.pdf
Huffington Post (FL) – Mitch Stacy
Marissa Alexander Gets 20 Years for Firing Warning Shot
Here’s part of an explanation of why Blacks in Florida are enraged by the Zimmerman trial results. Mandatory minimums play a role but the ‘Stand-your-ground’ law does not appear to work for Black women, even after restraining orders and a history of violence by her husband. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/19/marissa-alexander-gets-20_n_1530035.html
CNBC News – Guest Jamie Longazel, assistant professor of sociology, University of Dayton
The immorality of US immigration
Longazei offers a scathing denunciation of politicians who milk the immigration reform atmosphere to the detriment of the American dream and on behalf of a private prison system. In his opinion, immigrants to the US, especially Latinos, are ruthlessly exploited and controlled while stripped of their dignity. http://www.cnbc.com/id/100895937
Vera Institute of Justice
The Potential of Community Corrections to Improve Safety and Reduce Incarceration
A 36 page report with an executive summary, Vera is looking to how community corrections – supervision by community agencies of those under sentence but not in prison – needs to be transformed in order to be more effective. The report has an accompanying fact sheet as well. Full report: http://www.vera.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/potential-of-community-corrections.pdf Fact sheet: http://www.vera.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/potential-of-community-corrections-fact-sheet.pdf
The Economist (UK)
The curious case of the fall in crime
The earlier predictions of forever increasing crime rates and chaos are proven false. Even the recession has not done for crime what the experts predicted – the rate continues to fall. The traditional attributed causes for crime have not been much in evidence either. The Economist has a few new thoughts on the decline and the causes. http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21582004-crime-plunging-rich-world-keep-it-down-governments-should-focus-prevention-not?fsrc=scn/tw_ec/the_curious_case_of_the_fall_in_crime
Huffington Post (US)
Do We Spend More to Feed Americans or Lock Them Up?
You guessed it! The US now spends more on prisons than on food stamps to feed the poor. How much more, you say? In 2010, the latest year with figures, $12 billion more was spent on prisons. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/18/corrections-spending_n_3618814.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=Impact