Youth mental health…

  Jan. 28, 2014

 CTV News
Children and mental health: A mother’s story of mental illness: One woman’s struggle to get her daughter help

Experts say that the mental health system for young people, as with others, is a two tiered system in which those who can afford to pay or sacrifice financial well-being can get private help and those who do not have the means do not get the help from a system backlogged by delay. Part of the solution may be a system that provides $1000 for 8 sessions once the diagnosis is made.   http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/a-mother-s-story-of-mental-illness-one-woman-s-struggle-to-get-her-daughter-help-1.1656799  Two minute video: http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1657141

 CBC News – Max Paris
The new ministerial responsibility: punish the underlings – Ministers no longer have to take the blame for staff mistakes – but they do have to correct them

 The article examines the devolving responsibility of the minister for the department managed.  The changes from 2007 to 2011, without any public debate and by a government big on accountability, says one former chief of staff, offers a wonderful ‘get-out-jail’ card to the minister when there is a problem. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/the-new-ministerial-responsibility-punish-the-underlings-1.2510068 

CBC News
Peter MacKay faces balancing act with justice agenda, court rulings

 At least two legal matters will deter the federal government from the economic agenda, not counting the present struggle with discretion for judges over the Truth in Sentencing Act.  The revision of the prostitution laws and the assisted suicide laws may together prove a hindrance for this session of the House.  Victims rights is another concern if it is pursue matters other than harsher sentencing for those convicted of violent crime.  http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/peter-mackay-faces-balancing-act-with-justice-agenda-court-rulings-1.2511220

 Globe and Mail – Sunny Dhillon
When the Province goes after Ill-Gotten Gains, Who Pays?

 Civil foreclosure is a process intended to deny the profits of crime to those who engage in criminal activity.  The process seems to have embraced some more broad purposes then the denial of profit to organized crime.  In this case, the process resurfaced after three years of a conviction that followed an illegal search.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/the-headtk-here-of-tk-tk/article16498212

 Metro News (Edmonton) – Leah Germain
Assault victim wants Edmontonians to pull together for community safety

 In the light of her post-assault experience with the police and the public, the victim, Karina Murray, wants to know if she is the only one responsible.  She wants to stop victim-blaming and to encourage community responsibility.  http://metronews.ca/news/edmonton/921981/assault-victim-wants-edmontonians-to-pull-together-for-community-safety/#Scene_1

 Ottawa Citizen – Andrew Duffy
Torture lawsuit “a matter of Canada’s honour:” judge 

 A lawsuit filed over ten years ago may finally see its day in court.  Abdullah Almalki was arrested and jailed on faulty intelligence from the Canadian government.  The father of six was tortured during his 22 months in Syrian jail and is suing for $100 million.   http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Torture+lawsuit+matter+Canada+honour+judge/9432314/story.html

 Daily Mail (UK) – Jessica Jerreat
Life in shackles: Digging ditches and collecting trash with the women prisoners of the only female chain gang in the country

 From a UK newspaper, here’s a photo-essay of life in a chain gang in Arizona.  The photos and commentary are stark as the photographer was allowed access to the only women’s chain gang in the US.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2546050/Life-chains-Intimate-photos-reveal-life-like-women-Americas-female-inmate-chain-gang.html#ixzz2rWfMc300 

 New York Carib News
Immigration Detention Quotas ordered by Congress faulted as unfair 

 There are calls by the Black community in particular now for an end to the 34,000 quota for beds contracted with private prisons for immigration detainees each day.  The prisons get paid regardless of the number held and just because of the contract.    Robert Morgenthau, a former Manhattan District Attorney for several decades, agrees and calls the arrangement “troublesome and unacceptable.”  No response to date from Holder or Obama. http://www.nycaribnews.com/news.php?viewStory=4473   Related article:  In the Public Interest – “Lockup quotas” guarantee profits for the U.S. private prison industry  http://www.inthepublicinterest.org/blog/%E2%80%9Clockup-quotas%E2%80%9D-guarantee-profits-us-private-prison-industry

 Sunshine State News (Florida)
Florida Smart Justice Alliance to host two-day summit on cost-effective criminal justice 

 To be held Jan 27-28, the conference has already published its key Powerpoint presentations on its website.  The public safety group believes that the justice system costs too much for a high recidivism rate and wants to look at smarter approaches.  http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/feeditem/florida-smart-justice-alliance-host-two-day-summit-cost-effective-criminal-justice   Florida Smart Justice Site with conference material:  http://www.justicesummit.org  

 Toronto Star – Jennifer Pagliaro
Police chiefs’ conference to tackle mental health and training 

 To be held in Toronto March 26, 27 with the co-operation of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the theme reflects a growing pre-occupation of police forces with mental health issues and responses to crisis involving mental patients.  http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2014/01/24/police_chiefs_conference_to_tackle_mental_health_and_training.html#