June 9, 2014
Toronto Star – Robert Cribb
Human Rights Code gives convicted Ontarians more workplace protection than the innocent
There’s a fly in the ointment at the Human Rights Commission. If the police have any notation about you in their databanks – allegations, charges withdrawn, even years ago, when they issue a character check, unless you have had the issue deleted, you may find the blemish is enough to derail some plans. Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall acknowledges that an innocent person or one without any conviction may be slighted while the one with a conviction and pardon will pass under the radar. http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/06/08/star_investigation_ontario_human_rights_commission_police_records_nonconviction_records_canadian_civil_liberties_association.html Related article: Toronto Star – Robert Cribb No charges, no trial, but presumed guilty http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/05/17/no_charges_no_trial_but_presumed_guilty.html Related article: Toronto Star – Robert Cribb Ontario privacy watchdog takes legal action against Toronto police: Star Exclusive http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/06/05/ontario_privacy_watchdog_takes_legal_action_against_toronto_police_star_exclusive.html Related article: Toronto Star – Robert Cribb U of T med students petition cops to stop release of suicide attempt records http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/06/08/u_of_t_med_students_petition_cops_to_stop_release_of_suicide_attempt_records.html
Vancouver Sun – Daphne Bramham
The government’s failed attempt to address prostitution
Bramham traces the Canadian version of the Nordic model through the various incarnations in Sweden, Norway, Iceland and France, identifying the author of the legislation as a BC lawyer – Gunilla Ekberg. The Canadian version, she says, takes cues from the Swedish but fails in the core purpose in providing a law “that would reduce the risk of harm.” http://www.canada.com/news/government+failed+attempt+address+prostitution/9915326/story.html
KCET TV (California) – Alicia Virani
Restorative Justice: The Transformative Power of an Alternative
Virani is part of a group called The California Conference for Justice and Equality, practioners of the Restorative Community Conferencing. The process consists of a face-to-face meeting between the youth and the person who they have harmed, as well as the family members and additional support people for each individual. But the real value, claims Virani, is the community’s ability to deal with tension and conflict in creative ways. http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/restorative-justice/restorative-justice-the-transformative-power-of-an-alternative.html
Thoughtpursuits.com – (Colorado)
Cannabis Collected $19 Million in Colorado Alone. And Statistics Showed a Decrease of 10% in Crime
Contrary to all the dire warnings about the lawlessness about to come, the state of Colorado where marijuana is legalized has collected $19 million in taxes – projected to over $30-60 million on the year – and has seen the crime rates drop by 10-14%. The results to date seem to be having the impact of attracting business which withdrew because of the crime rate back into Colorado. http://www.thoughtpursuits.com/cannabis-collected-19-million-colorado-alone-statistics-showed-decrease-10-crime Related article: Reuters Canada – Dave Graham Mexican president hints may be open to change in marijuana laws http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN0EJ0UE20140608
Anchorage Daily News – Michelle Theriault Boots
Deaths draw attention to high rate of mental illness among Alaska prisoners
A mother who thought jail was the best and safest place for her son has come to lament that conclusion. When Mark Bolus had his first episode of schizophrenia at age 15 Marie, his mother, was able to get some medications but at age 19, and off the meds, Mark was convicted of a felony. Said Marie after the boy’s death in prison: “When incarceration is the best a parent can hope for, something is very wrong,” Mark hanged himself in his cell early on the morning of Mother’s Day. http://www.adn.com/2014/06/07/3507011/deaths-draw-attention-to-high.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1#storylink=cpy Related article: Thinkprogress.com – Tara Culp- Ressler Arizona Prisons Ignored Medical Needs And Let Sick Inmates Die, Major Lawsuit Claims http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/06/08/3446286/arizona-prison-health-lawsuit Related article: The Sudbury Star (ON) – Ben Leeson Sudbury inmate in critical condition after hanging http://www.thesudburystar.com/2014/06/06/sudbury-inmate-in-critical-condition-after-hanging
University of Southern California
National report urges U.S. to significantly revise prison policies
The National Research Council is urging a revision of policies that have led to mass incarceration in the US. “We found the reason for the increase was not associated with rising crime rates but policy choices,” said Avelardo Valdez, a professor at the USC School of Social Work, one of the researchers. https://news.usc.edu/63789/national-report-flays-u-s-prison-policies Full Report: National Research Council: The Growth of Incarceration in the United States: Exploring Causes and Consequences ($75 purchase or download fee) http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=18613