Dec. 15, 2013
Edmonton Journal – Shelia Pratt
Khadr reclassified, likely to be transferred to Bowden
Former Guantanamo prisoner Omar Khadr will be transferred from max to medium security, a move that his lawyer says is long overdue and still too high a security classification since even the US classified him as a minimum risk. Lawyer Dennis Edney says that the move will give access to programs and a better opportunity for parole eligibility. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Khadr+reclassified+likely+transferred+Bowden/9285742/story.html
Calgary Herald – Sherri Zickefoose
Healing a life of hate and violence
Tiffany, 27, was a warrior and enforcer for the Hobbema drug gang and saw her brother shot in the neck in fights over the drug trade on the Samson Cree Reserve. Finally, Alberta took custody of Tiffany’s daughter and she left the reserve for the Calgary’s Awo Taan Healing Lodge where healing and parenting are taught using traditional native values and teachings. http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Healing+life+hate+violence/9287390/story.html
Toronto Star – Alyshah Hasham
Four officers fired guns during Queen subway shooting, SIU says
Toronto police fired “14 or 15 shots” at the Queen Street subway station when an 18 year showed a gun, asked the other passengers to leave, and announced that he had nothing to live for. The four officers who were named ‘subject officers’ have refused to talk to the Special Investigative Unit investigating the incident. The 18 year old is in hospital in stable condition. http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2013/12/14/four_officers_fired_guns_during_queen_subway_shooting_siu_says.html
VoxXI (US) – Griselda Nevarez
A father is deported despite efforts to stop his deportation
Ardany Rosales Lemus got pulled over for a minor traffic offence in Phoenix, Arizona, and a lack of documentation landed him in immigration detention. Lemus fled Guatemala in 2005 and was denied refuge status. He was refused review by ICE and the father of two US citizens – a two year old and a 10 month child – was deported in spite of repeated popular appeal against the deportation. UN human rights would suggest that the rupture of the family is, in itself, a human rights violation. http://voxxi.com/2013/12/13/father-efforts-stop-deportation
Scotish Liberal Democracts Organization
McInnes Secures Commitment to Restorative Justice
Alison McInnes got a commitment from the Justice Secretary to insert guidance on RJ for victims and offenders in a new bill – The Victims and Witness Bill – which is now between second and third reading. The guidelines will be new to the RJ provisions already in the bill. http://banffandbuchanlibdems.org.uk/en/article/2013/753158/mcinnes-secures-commitment-to-restorative-justice
Daily Mail (UK) – Dan Bloom
Pregnant woman who miscarried in privately run prison ‘was forced to clear up blood from cell floor’
Just when you thought maltreatment of pregnant mothers in jail could not get any worse, here’s a new one. HMP Peterborough is the site of this latest illustration of inhumanity where a 37 year old heroin addict with mental health issues, Nadine Wright, was imprisoned for 10 months for stealing £14 of food from a Co-op while she ignored court ordered probation visits. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2523016/Pregnant-woman-miscarried-privately-run-prison-forced-clear-blood-cell-floor.html#ixzz2nSq2yTnK
The Economist (UK) –
How does immigration affect crime?
The London School of Economics and University College have jointly studied the impact on crime from two recent waves of immigration in the UK. Their conclusion to those who equate immigration with huge increases in crime and criminals: “the crime rate among first-generation immigrants is lower than the overall crime rate, even for those in their teens and early 20s, the most common age for criminal activity.” http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2013/12/economist-explains-10
Legal News.com – Jo Mathis
New Peacemaking Court will help ease relationship conflicts
The new Michigan court will turn to the use of the 4R’s as guiding principles, taken from the Native American justice principles approach: respect, responsibility, relationship and redirection. Judge Timothy Connors says: “When we talk about peacemaking, it’s a conscious decision to turn back to a place that is healthy and healing,” http://www.legalnews.com/oakland/1383536
Pantagraph.com (Illinois) – Edith Brady-Lunny
2 new programs offer options for defendants with mental illness
Bloomington, Ill, is introducing new legislation to help deal with the mentally ill. The first measure is called Second Chance Probation in which a first offender of certain non-violent crimes who lives up to probation conditions crime free for five years can get the conviction erased. The second measure involves the appointment of court appointed guardians for mentally ill defendants. http://www.pantagraph.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/new-programs-offer-options-for-defendants-with-mental-illness/article_090da99c-6487-11e3-a708-0019bb2963f4.html Related article: Pantagraph.com Proper care elusive for those with mental illness, criminal behavior http://www.pantagraph.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/proper-care-elusive-for-those-with-mental-illness-criminal-behavior/article_ae172bf4-6485-11e3-939c-0019bb2963f4.html