July 29, 2014
Toronto Star – Patty Winsa
Iacobucci use of force report recommends Taser study
Almost a year after the killing of Sammy Yatim by Toronto police, Judge Iacobucci has tabled 17 recommendations for changes in how police encounter the mentally ill. Iacobucci wants a taser study and personal video cameras on officers to record the incident. http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2014/07/24/iacobucci_use_of_force_report_recommends_taser_study.html Related article: Toronto Star: Wendy Gillis Iacobucci report calls for a ‘zero deaths’ police culture http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2014/07/24/give_toronto_police_body_cameras_and_tasers_use_of_force_report_recommends.html Related article: Toronto Star – Wendy Gillis Mental health experts have high expectations for police use-of-force report http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2014/07/23/mental_health_experts_have_high_expectations_for_police_useofforce_report.html# Related article: Toronto Star – Royston James Police ‘culture change’ must be matched by fixing mental health system http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2014/07/26/police_culture_change_must_be_matched_by_fixing_mental_health_system_james.html Full Report ( a 413 page downloadable pdf) Police Encounters with People in Crisis http://www.tpsreview.ca/docs/Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis.pdf Executive Summary of the report: (A 37 page downloadable pdf) http://www.tpsreview.ca/docs/Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis.pdf
Toronto Star – Editorial, July 28, 2014
Canada’s broken bail system penalizes the most vulnerable
Commenting on a recent report from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association on bail and remand practices, the editorial says that as a result of current practices, we have people in jail without conviction or cause to be denied bail, clogged courts, crowded jails, and wasted tax dollars. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2014/07/28/canadas_broken_bail_system_penalizes_the_most_vulnerable_editorial.html Related article: Toronto Star: Editorial (July 28, 2014) Ontario Justices of the Peace should have a law degree http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2014/07/28/ontario_justices_of_the_peace_should_have_a_law_degree_editorial.html
Ottawa Citizen – Mark Kennedy, Canada.com
Political debate over marijuana legalization heats up
The N.Y. Times editorial suggests that a great deal of harm has been done over the 43 years of pot prohibition in the US for a substance less dangerous than alcohol. Kennedy thinks the stance of the Times will bring more heated debate in Canada around the legalization of marijuana as we get closer to the next federal election. http://www.canada.com/news/Political+debate+over+national+newswatch+marijuana+legalization+heats/10069810/story.html Related article: Ottawa Citizen – Marie Danielle-Smith Medical marijuana debate: Doctors take issue with national body http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/doctors-concerned-that-cma-presidents-views-outdated-stigmatizing Related article: N. Y. Times Editorial (July 27, 2014): Repeal Prohibition, Again http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/27/opinion/sunday/high-time-marijuana-legalization.html?_r=0
Ottawa Citizen – Geordan Ormand, Canadian Press
Nova Scotia judge impressed with live-tweeting from inside courts
As of May 15, tweeting and texting from inside courts in session has been approved unless prohibited by the presiding judge in Nova Scotia. Chief Justice Joseph Kennedy of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court thought the process resulted in surprisingly accurate reporting on what was happening in his courtroom during the trail of a lawyer on sexual assault charges. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Nova+Scotia+judge+impressed+with+livetweeting+from+inside+courts/10068641/story.html
Ottawa Citizen – Jim Bronskill, Canadian Press
Prison service to test electronic monitoring devices on high-risk inmates
The federal government, though a little behind schedule, plans to start a two year study to see if electronic monitoring of parolees can be effective while they are under release in the community. Officials think the devices can be helpful in monitoring those released under specific conditions such as curfews or restrictions on where they are. The program seems to focus on monitoring rather than returning any rehabilitation pay-off. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/national/Prison+service+test+electronic+monitoring+devices+highrisk/10067025/story.html
Christian Science Monitor (US) – Cara Tabachnick
Obamacare for ex-inmates: Is health insurance an antidote to crime?
Calling health care for inmates re-entering society “a new Holy Grail,” prison authorities are rushing to sign up exiting inmates to Obamacare or Medicaid in the belief that health care will reduce recidivism. The Affordable Health Care Act allows former inmates to be added to the rolls with poor people who can’t afford medical services. The pay-off expected is lower re-offend rates and lower prison costs. http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2014/0727/Obamacare-for-ex-inmates-Is-health-insurance-an-antidote-to-crime
Sydney Morning Herald (New South Wales, AU) – Michaela Whitbourn
Number of prisoners falls as NSW considers changes to bail laws
New South Wales justice system is seeing the tension between public perception or ‘tough-on-crime’ – and the reality of the new bail system which saw a reduction in the prison population in less than four weeks. The Government is bowing to pressure to review the new bail laws only weeks after successful implementation. “Bureau director Don Weatherburn said the fall in remand numbers in NSW coincided with the introduction of the new bail laws “but the precise reason for the fall is not yet clear”.” http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/number-of-prisoners-falls-as-nsw-considers-changes-to-bail-laws-20140728-zxjbz.html#ixzz38mHhy0lT Related article: Health Canel (NSW, AU) Change jail mentality and there will be fewer offenders http://www.healthcanal.com/mental-health-behavior/53503-change-jail-mentality-and-there-will-be-fewer-offenders.html