Aug. 2, 2013
CBC News – Winnipeg
Inner-city kids petition for 24-hour drop-in centre – Activist says centre would help keep kids safe from gangs
Romando Nilles, a youthful community worker in the North End of Winnipeg, was on the verge of taking his own life after his brother did in fact commit suicide. Part of the answer to such despair he thinks is 24-7 space where youth can be welcomed and can avoid joining gangs. He almost has the 1000 signatures he was seeking in a petition. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2013/07/30/mb-north-end-24-hr-drop-in-winnipeg.html
Winnipeg Free Press – Dan Lett
Mercy for mentally ill begins at the grave – There are two types of victims: living and dead
To make a point, Mr. Lett asks how we would have felt about Lisa Gibson if she had lived. He wonders if the great outpouring of compassion for the woman and her children would have happened or if, like in other cases in recent memory, the public would have howled in anger? The reflection may be painful, but clearly needed to prevent more such tragedy. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/mercy-for-mentally-ill-begins-at-the-grave-217881561.html
Jamaica Information Service – Government of Jamaica
First Social Partnership Agreement Inked at Kings House
Government, private sector, trade union and civil society groups, were signees of the historic social partnership agreement. The document calls for five principles to be observed: “the principles of social dialogue and partnership; and resolve to embark on a programme for Jamaica’s stabilization, growth with equity and sustainable development through a social partnership, initially over the period 2013-2016.” The agreement also establishes a Partnership Council to oversee the agreement. http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/34716
Vancouver Sun – Associated Press
Jay Leno, Gloria Steinem, celebrities urge end of solitary confinement at California prisons
385 inmates are into the third week of a hunger strike to protest the practice of long term solitary confinement as other protest in the state Capitol. Some 50 inmates are said to be in need of medical attention and one has already died, allegedly by hanging himself, according to prison authorities. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Leno+Gloria+Steinem+other+celebrities+urge+solitary/8725500/story.html#ixzz2agGf8eAT
University of Minnesota – Lisa Guenther
Social Death and the Criminalization of Resistance in the California Prison Hunger Strikes
The author is an Associate professor of philosophy at Vanderbilt University and activist against solitary confinement. Gang violence, she says, functions as “an alibi for the criminalization of black and Hispanic,” and the crime is not conduct but de facto status.“Social death is the condition under which some people can be condemned to civil death, while the rest of us fail to care or even to notice.” http://www.uminnpressblog.com/2013/07/social-death-and-criminalization-of.html?m=1
N. Y. Times – Eduardo Porter
Inequality in America: The Data Is Sobering
Porter reviews the outline of Obama’s speech at King’s College with a view to what is politically feasible and what is not, what Obama left out. Critical of Obama’s measured proposals, Porter suggests an all out effort to forcefully articulate and pursue what would be most effective in restoring middle class income. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/business/economy/in-us-an-inequality-gap-of-sobering-breadth.html?_r=0 N. Y. Times’ Transcript of Obama’s speech on income inequality: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/25/us/politics/obamas-economics-speech-at-knox-college.html?pagewanted=all
Sun News – Joe Warmington, QMI Agency
Paul Bernardo applies for transfer to medium-security prison
The infamous Kingston Pen is closing shortly – in 60 days – and all inmates are to be transferred. Paul Bernardo is applying for a transfer to the Bath Medium Security prison 20 minutes from Kingston. The alternative is a maximum security location in Quebec and Bernardo’s request is somewhat controversial. http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2013/08/20130801-071740.html
Government of Saskatchewan
Building partnerships to reduce crime
The Saskatchewan government has a web site aimed at bringing people together for community safety. They have two models: the Hub and COR, developed in Prince Albert. You can explore the material at the link. http://www.saskbprc.com/index.php/what-s-happening/whatshappening
The Tribune (Welland, ON) – Sarah Ferguson
Helpers line up to repair safety village
When vandals destroyed eight of the sixteen buildings in the Children’s Safety Village, Executive Director Shirley Cordiner was overwhelmed with the calls of people who wanted to come and help repair the damages. Now, nearby Niagara College security volunteered to extend their coverage to the village as well. http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2013/08/01/helpers-line-up-to-repair-safety-village