July 30, 2013
Toronto Star – Guest opinion by Shelia Burns
Turning around Ontario lives hurt by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
The author, a Community Leadership in Justice Fellow, Law Foundation of Ontario, says that fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FTSD) is preventable but that untreated makes an adolescent 19 times more likely to have a run-in with the law. “The disability,” says Burns, “requires simplified and more nuanced judicial responses.” http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/2012/08/31/turning_around_ontario_lives_hurt_by_fetal_alcohol_spectrum_disorder.html
FASD Conference Announcement:
Consensus Development Conference on Legal Issues of FASD Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Delta Edmonton South Hotel and Conference Centre Edmonton, Alberta, Canada September 18 – 20, 2013
The conference aims to bring scientist and experts together to address specific key questions for legal issues. The Honourable Ian Binnie, former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, will serve as Jury Chair, while 12-14 distinguished citizens will form the jury panel with him to hear the witnesses. Register at : https://secure.buksa.com/ei/getdemo.ei?id=207&s=_1A40OMB5P
Toronto Star – Alex Consiglio
Sammy Yatim, shot by police, was trying to get life back on track
There is considerable discontent and protests in the streets of Toronto following a shooting by police of an 18 year brandishing a 3 inch knife on an empty streetcar surrounded by police. Video evidence records nine shots by police; the officer is suspended pending a Special Investigative Unit (SIU) report. http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2013/07/30/sammy_yatim_shot_by_police_was_trying_to_get_life_back_on_track.html Related article: Sammy Yatim: Critics deplore police tactics as vigil draws hundreds http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2013/07/30/sammy_yatim_critics_deplore_police_tactics_as_vigil_draws_hundreds.html
Globe and Mail – Margaret Wente
Dear police: The people are watching
Martin Baron, 47, was en route home with his wife and 19 year-old son when the Sammy Yatim incident unfolded in front of him. He had the presence of mind to video the incident with his cell phone. The video went viral on the net. The presence of the potential for cell phone video, says Wente, changes the balance of power between the citizenry and the police in favour of the citizenry. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/the-people-are-watching/article13483909
Vancouver Sun – Kim Boylan
U.S. sting sheds light on how gangs get their guns
A sting operation on a Canadian man who went to Washington state expressly to buy hand guns for re-sale to gangs passed unnoticed as US agents watched him buy guns and then hide them under the dash board of his car. Once arrested, Daniel James Walker admitted to previous trips this summer for a total of ten handguns prior to this lot of four more. http://www.vancouversun.com/life/sting+sheds+light+gangs+their+guns/8724718/story.html
London Evening Standard (UK) – Amol Rajan
Decline and fall of emotional and social wealth
With due apologies to instant mass e-mail sign-ups to protest and to crowd sourcing for funds, here’s an article on the decline in the life of organizations and associations among us – churches, political connections, civic associations and a suggestion that social media is anything but social. http://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/decline-and-fall-of-emotional-and-social-wealth-8736866.html
Young New Yorkers
Restorative Justice Through Public Art
The Young New Yorkers program tries to confront 16 and 17 year olds with the impact of their misdeeds in a creative way. Imagine having to go to all the important people in your life and ask them to comment in a video on how your bad behaviour impacted on them! http://urbanomnibus.net/2013/07/young-new-yorkers-restorative-justice-through-public-art Related article: Restorative Works Justice Network: Joshua Wachtel Creative Practice: Restorative Justice through Art http://restorativeworks.net/2013/07/creative-practice-restorative-justice-through-art
Vimeo Videos
Restorative Justice Narration
A different perspective on RJ, this 5 minute video describes a community restorative justice board that works with offenders in the community where the offence took place. No offenders are presented- just the community board saying what they are doing. http://vimeo.com/71110856
Chicagoist.com
Lawmakers, Advocacy Groups To Hold Hearings on Sexual Abuse in IL Juvenile Detention Centers
According to a Bureau of Prisons report, a 15% sexual victimization rate exists in Illinois juvenile facilities due to misconduct by staff. Nationally, the BOP put the rape and sexual misconduct rate at 9% of the juvenile inmates. One other Illinois facility now closed had a 21% rate as reported by former inmates. http://chicagoist.com/2013/07/29/lawmakers_and_advocacy_groups_to_ho_1.php