Migrant detention in Canada

  Oct. 7, 2013

 Globe and Mail – Joe Friesen 
Detained migrants continue hunger strike over Ontario jail’s conditions 

 Started in September and put on hold, several detainees are returning to the hunger strike as a way of highlighting the problems.  One has been held for seven years.  Unlike most countries, detainees in Canada can be held indefinitely, especially if the country of origin refuses to issue the travel documents.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/detained-migrants-continue-hunger-strike-over-ontario-jails-conditions/article14647838/  Related article:  End the detention blogger   http://endimmigrationdetention.wordpress.com/about-the-strike/  Related article: Guelph Mercury News:  Victor Ferreira   Group pushes for action over indefinitely detained immigrants  http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/4143825-group-pushes-for-action-over-indefinitely-detained-immigrants/ 

 Digital Journal – Arthur Weinreb
Judge reviews sentence of Canada’s youngest multiple murderer

 There has been considerable discussion around the finding of NCR and the way the treatment and supervision plays out after the NCR finding.  This article reviews the case of youth who murdered three members of the family as a youth.  The article is in the context of a mandated annual review.   http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/359384#ixzz2h300DjaB 

Toronto Star –
Anti-poverty activist who violated publication ban has indictment quashed – Julian Ichim has jury trial cancelled after judge rules Crown can only charge him with a lesser offence. 

 The charges stem from a decision by Ichim to publish the identity of one of two undercover officers during the 2011 trials for the G20 protestors.  The court has left open the possibility of summary conviction route.  Charges that Ichim masterminded the G20 protests were dropped in 2010 but he has a $4 million lawsuit still pending against the officer, the province and the police.  http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2013/10/01/antipoverty_activist_who_violated_publication_ban_has_indictment_quashed.html 

 McGill Daily
McGill hosts second annual Community Engagement Day – Over 600 students, staff, faculty participate in 44 projects 

 The special day is intended to provide “a taste of what community groups are doing, and different tangible ways [that] people can enact change.”  The day is financed by a 50 cent student union fee and offers participants over 40 opportunities to be involved in social justice activities. http://www.mcgilldaily.com/2013/10/mcgill-hosts-second-annual-community-engagement-day/ 

 BayToday.com – Kate Adams
OPP defer contract renewals with municipalities 

 The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is deferring renewal of contracts with municipalities while they work out a new billing model with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.  http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=53791

 Aces too high News (US)
The Restorative Justice League of Le Grand High School jumps in to save the day 

 A small school (just under 500), ACES are Adverse Childhood Experiences.  The high school has initiated an RJ program and explains how the program developed.  The ACES site has a lot of interesting links as well – go to the home page on the link.    http://acestoohigh.com/2013/09/30/the-restorative-justice-league-of-le-grand-high-school/ 

 Smart Policing Initiative (US)
Measuring Success: A Guide to Becoming an Evidence-Based Practice 

 Posted by Smart Policing, the VERA Institute of Justice offers criteria helpful for establishing the success of evidence based programs.   http://www.smartpolicinginitiative.com/library-and-multimedia-resources/policing-strategies/measuring-success-guide-becoming-evidence-based    Report in PDF format: http://www.vera.org/pubs/measuring-success-guide-becoming-an-evidence-based-practice