June 3, 2014
iPolitics News – Annie Bergeron-Oliver
Guards and nurses raise red flag over cuts to prison nursing hours
On April 1, 2014, Correctional Services of Canada quietly reduced the hours for nurses serving the inmate populations of the federal prisons in Canada. The claim is that the reductions reflect populations rather than hours of operation, whatever that means. But Jason Godin, the national vice-president at the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, said the decision is part of the government’s deficit reduction plan. http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/06/02/guards-and-nurses-raise-red-flag-over-cuts-to-prison-nursing-hours
End Immigration Detention
Immigrants in three prisons begin coordinated ‘Detention Review’ boycott
There are 191 immigrants locked up in maximum security jails in Ontario: the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene and Toronto’s Metro West Detention Centre. The requirement is that imprisoned immigrants are brought before a single appointed ‘member’ after 48 hours, then after 7 days and then every 30 days after. Immigrants in all three centers are boycotting the exercise as useless with results determined before any hearing. Immigrants are saying the very fabric of the immigration system is unjust. http://endimmigrationdetention.com/2014/06/02/detentionreviewboycott* Call / Write / Tweet your support: http://endimmigrationdetention.com/take-action/ Sign the petition: www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/harper-end-indefinite-immigration-detention * Join us in Ottawa as we protest at the National Headquarters of Immigration Enforcement: www.endimmigrationdetention.com/2014/05/23/ottawa-convergence-to-end-immigration-detention * If you’re an organization, become an endorser: www.endimmigrationdetention.com/demands/ Backgrounder on Immigrants: https://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=5854
Globe and Mail – Josh Wingrove
Critics decry new Privacy Commissioner’s appointment
He is Daniel Therrien – a lawyer who has spent his entire 33-year career in government – Canada’s next Privacy Commissioner. Selected by Treasury Board Tony Clement from a shortlist of two, the choice excluded many whom the privacy community had confidence, since Therrien will be expected to deal with problems he helped government create in his service as assistant deputy attorney general for public safety, including the collection of data from the internet providers. His nomination needs to be approved by parliament. Two dozen academics, including the Civil Liberties Associations, called the nomination “indefensible.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/privacy-critics-decry-commissioners-appointment/article18942247 Related article: Canadian Law Times -Michael McKiernan Focus: Major increase in warrantless disclosures predicted http://www.lawtimesnews.com/201406023991/focus-on/focus-major-increase-in-warrantless-disclosures-predicted?utm_source=responsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CLNewswire_20140602
Canadian Law Times – Yamri Taddese
Prof troubled by SCC nomination process
Prof. Adam Dodek, a University of Ottawa professor, has published a report on the appointments to the SCC that says there is a ‘major transparency deficit’ in the process. Critical of the secrecy involved, even in the criteria used, and the scarcity of candidates on the short lists, Dodek claims there are several kinds of consultations and the committee time for examining the candidates is too short.http://www.lawtimesnews.com/201406023996/headline-news/prof-troubled-by-scc-nomination-process?utm_source=responsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CLNewswire_20140602
Toronto Star – Laura Kane
In crisis: Can Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams end police killings?
In response to a growing number of calls for intervention in mental health crisis, Toronto police has set up a number of mobile crisis intervention teams. A mental health nurse and a police officer will respond provided the incident is before 11Pm and does not involve weapons. Critics say the teams will not likely impact in the area of police killings when confronted by mental health patients. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/06/02/in_crisis_can_mobile_crisis_intervention_teams_end_police_killings.html
Opposing Views – Michael Allen
U.S. Govt. Hires 60,000 Illegal Immigrants, Pays Them $1 Per Day –
Guess who is the largest employer of illegal immigrants in the US? It’s the US government itself which pays some 60,000 detained immigrants less than $1 a day or 13 cents / hour to prepare food for other jails and prisons, some run by private jail companies. Follow the money! http://www.opposingviews.com/i/money/jobs-and-careers/us-govt-hires-60000-illegal-immigrants-pays-them-1-day-video#sthash.z8Yf7p2n.dpuf
Santa Maria Police Department
Life facing bars…
A 38 minute video produced by police and the Santa Barbara Foundation, the video has real gang members, how the gangs impact families and how education can lead to better futures. http://www.publicceo.com/2014/05/santa-maria-police-department-produces-gang-prevention-documentary