Thabksgiving

 Oct. 11, 2013

 (Ed Note:  We at Smart Justice wish all our readers a happy thanksgiving.  Besides all our other blessings, we have the blessing of the conviction of the worthiness of our caring for healing rather than punishment, for justice rather then revenge, for family and community rather than division.  May we always have the wisdom to profess our conviction in such a way as constantly to invite others to share the vision.) 

 

 Truthout – Claire Glass

 

Chicago Students Build Safe Space, Practice Restorative Justice 

 

 Elma Dzanic is a restorative justice specialist who got her approach from Bosnia as a war refugee.  Now she teaches students to define and create safe spaces in a society that condones and normalizes the violence in their communities.  Her organization, Umoja, has peace rooms for mediation and counselling in two schools  and it’s  clear that most interpersonal issues among her interns come from past trauma that’s been left to fester, Dzanic told Truthout.   http://truth-out.org/news/item/18181-chicago-students-build-safe-space-practice-restorative-justice  

 

 National Post – Tobi Cohen

 

Conservatives look to fill new session of Parliament with ‘tough-on-crime’ agenda 

 

 Thought you saw the end of measures for ‘tough-on-crime’?  Not by a long shot.  Victims of Crime Ombudsman Sue O’Sullivan offers her wish list (1min 30sec video).  Penalties for child sex offenders, cyberbullying, cost of policing, fines for marijuana, leftover items from the last Parliament and the Bar wants re-investment in legal aid.  http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/10/10/conservatives-look-to-fill-new-session-of-parliament-with-tough-on-crime-agenda/ 

 

 Public Interest Advocacy Center (US)

 

Homeless Persons’ Legal Service: Living with mental illness without a home

 

 Today starts in the US the Mental Health Month with the theme of problem solving to reduce crime.  The focus of the PIAC is on the problems when mental health and homelessness are part of the encounter with the law.  The attachments (in pdf format) at the bottom of the linked page were used to launch the observance.   http://www.piac.asn.au/projects/campaigns/homeless-persons-legal-service/Living-with-mental-illness-without-a-home

 

 Global TV News – Winnipeg, MB

 

Anti-bullying bill becomes law

 

Manitoba’s Bill 18 has been proclaimed into law despite bitter debate and now requires that teachers report instances of bullying to the principal but the law does not specify the penalty.  Intended to make schools more welcoming to gays, the bill also requires the school to allow students to form gay / straight alliances.   http://globalnews.ca/news/896321/anti-bullying-bill-becomes-law/  (Link has a 2 minutes video report.)

 

 Special Event:  Church Council on Justice and Corrections

 

Master of Ceremonies David Daubney welcomes you to  dinner, presentation and conversation with Are Høidal, Governor of Norway’s Halden Prison, perhaps the forefront of corrections models in the world.  Date:  Thursday, October 17, 2013  Time:  5:00 pm-9:00 pm  Location:  Jean Pigott Place,Ottawa City Hall,  110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa  http://ccjc.ca/join-ccjc-at-our-fall-fundraising-dinner-a-just-place-building-better-correctional-spaces/?utm_source=Copy+of+Copy+of+Campaign+Created+2013%2F07%2F29%2C+11%3A12+AM&utm_campaign=Fall+event+reminder&utm_medium=email   Please contact Jill at 613-563-1688 ext. 102, or Kathryn at kbliss@ccjc.ca  to purchase tickets or make enquiries.

 

 Charlotte Observer (NC)  Craig Jarvis

 

Private firm takes over NC prison funds

 

 Another notch for profitability on the backs of prison inmates and their families!  Now, families sending funds to inmates in North Carolina will have to use a Miami based transfer company JPAY, for a fee determined by the type of transfer.  Previously, a money order was the most common way to get money to inmates.   http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/10/09/4376969/private-firm-takes-over-prison.html#.UlgFOFBwqqk#storylink=cpy 

 

 Neon Tommy – Celeste Alvarez

 

L.A. Homeless Community Plagued By Income Disparities 

  This article helps to contextualize the impact of income gaps among the homeless.  The commentary is based on an update University of Berkeley paper name Striking It Richer by Emmanuel Saez.  http://www.neontommy.com/news/2013/10/income-disparities-continue-hurt-la-homeless   Saez Report in pdf format:  http://elsa.berkeley.edu/~saez/saez-UStopincomes-2012.pdf 

 

 YOUCAN and the Canadian Safe  School Network

 

2013 National Restorative Justice Symposium

November 17-­19, 2013 Toronto, Ontario Courtyard Downtown Marriott Register at www.NRJS2013.com   For more information contact Dave Farthing  1-888-496-8226 ext. 225 or symposium@youcan.ca