Aug. 5, 2013
Sudbury Star – Editorial by Jim Hendry of the Peterborough Examiner
Inadvertent death of kids a life sentence in itself
Andrew Williams, a father of three kids, drove his car over the railroad crossing tracks, killing his two daughters and seriously injuring his son and himself when his vehicle was struck by a train. The crossing had no arm, no lights and no bells. Now he faces multiple counts of criminal negligence causing death and injury. The charges against Williams “not only serve no purpose, it borders on cruelty.” http://www.thesudburystar.com/2013/08/01/pov-inadvertent-death-of-kids-a-life-sentence-in-itself
Law Times (ON) – Yamri Taddesse
Risk aversion stalls bail process, overcrowds remand prisons, group says
Jacqueline Tasca of the John Howard Society of Ontario walked the audience through what it is like in remand while outlining the increases in the use of remand and the reasons for the increase. Astonishingly, 67% of all those in prison in Ontario are in remand. http://www.lawtimesnews.com/201307293362/headline-news/risk-aversion-stalls-bail-process-overcrowds-remand-prisons-group-says
American Psychological Association (APA)
One in Three U.S. Youths Report Being Victims of Dating Violence
The youths are 14-20 and approximately 1 in 3 has acknowledged being victims of dating violence. Another 1 in 3 acknowledges perpetrating the violence and girls are just about as likely as boys to be perpetrators. The study looked at over 1000 in the sample and was presented at the 121st Annual conference of the APA. The researchers also found a connection between dating violence and bullying. http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2013/07/dating-violence.aspx
Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet) – Dr. Debra Pepler and Dr. Wendy Craig
Open Letter to the Premiers, acting as the Council of the Federation
“PREVNet’s mission is to stop bullying in Canada and to promote safe and healthy relationships for all Canadian children and youth. This national Networks of Centres of Excellence of 71 researchers and 55 youth-serving organizations provides an opportunity to change the way we understand and deal with bullying problems. In collaboration with our national partners (such as Canadian Red Cross and UNICEF), PREVNet has co-created over 100 evidence-based tools and strategies that can be used to stop harmful behaviour before any damage is done. PREVNet believes evidence-based bullying prevention is a better choice than punishment….” http://www.prevnet.ca/news/in-the-news/an-open-letter-to-the-premiers-on-bullying-and-cyberbullying
Guardian (UK) – Australian News
Getting tough on crime does not make people feel safer, study finds
Tough on crime policies do not make people feel safer, says the Australian Institute report. Says David Baker, the Institutes Director of Research: “”Ironically, tough-on-crime policies could in turn increase levels of nervousness.” http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/01/tough-on-crime-not-feel-safer Australian Institute Report: Tough on crime https://www.tai.org.au/index.php?q=node%2F19&pubid=1203&act=display
Star Telegram (Tx) Bob Rae Sanders
Another war on drugs needed to stop executions
The state of Texas has executed 863 persons since 1924, most recently over 500 by lethal injection. Now it appears that the state is running out of the drug and can not buy anymore from suppliers. http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/08/03/5052926/another-war-on-drugs-needed-to.html#storylink=cpy
Ottawa Citizen: Gary Dimmock
Ottawa Hells Angels president wants to quit
Here’s an interesting insight on both the working of the motorcycle gangs and the working of the parole board. Paul (Sasquatch) Porter applied for parole after a two year sentence in 2012 for drug possession and the prison files tell the story. http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2013/07/24/ottawa-hells-angels-president-wants-to-quit
Chicago Sun Times – Editorial
Millikin should stand behind Professor St. James
James Wolcott was reborn as Professor James St. James after a not-guilty by reason of insanity please in a Texas court 46 years ago. He turned his life around earning degrees and pursuing a very successful teaching career in Millikin University only to have his youthful identity discovered and his career in jeopardy. Are we willing to employ the mentally ill once treated? http://www.suntimes.com/opinions/21684008-474/millikin-should-stand-behind-professor-st-james.html