Oct. 9, 2014
Star Phoenix (SK) – Andrea Hill
Crowding ‘crisis’ in Sask. prisons, report says – Study finds focus should be on rehab not lockup
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has just published a study called Warehousing Prisoners in Saskatchewan in which the provincial system is described as so overcrowded that even class rooms have become jail dormitories for “warehousing” or keeping inmates locked up without rehab or programming. The overcrowding, twice as many for the present, leads to pressures on everything from visiting to use of washrooms requiring guards, to available food, and the tensions within the jail are growing. Author Jason Demers is calling the problems part of `a state made disease` and is looking for a public health approach to these issues. http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Crowding+crisis+Sask+prisons+report+says/10265958/story.html The full Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report (40 page PDF free download) by University of Regina criminologist Dr. Jason Demers: Warehousing Prisoners in Saskatchewan – A Public Health Approach https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/warehousing-prisoners-saskatchewan#sthash.SsvOLWBL.dpuf (Cf page 6 of the report for a helpful summary description of the three levels of public health response.) Related article: Leader-Post Editorial (Oct. 7, 2014) A warning of problems in our jails – Dangerous crowding, but no motivation to change http://www.leaderpost.com/warning+problems+jails/10268779/story.html
CBC News
Lucia Vega Jimenez inquest jury recommends dedicated immigration holding centre
The inquest jury is recommending a new immigration holding centre to be staffed by CBSA people rather than private contractors with bathrooms that are self-harming proof. Detainees should have access to legal counsel, medical services, support organizations, family visits and be allowed to wear civilian clothing. As an interim measure and while private contractors are running the airport center, the jury recommends full video surveillance. The jury heard that the supervisory visits for people on suicide watch (every 15 minutes) were falsified. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lucia-vega-jimenez-inquest-jury-recommends-dedicated-immigration-holding-centre-1.2791914
National Newswatch – Sheryl Ubelacker, Canadian Press
CAMH on Marijuana: Pot should be legalized, regulated and sold like alcohol, says addiction centre
Toronto’s prime addictions treatment facility has surprised some by a change to policy to legalize and regulate the use and sale of marijuana. Jurgen Rehm, director of social and epidemiological research at CAMH said: “Legalization means that we remove all penalties for cannabis possession and use by adults.” http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2014/10/09/pot-should-be-legalized-to-reduce-harms-camh/#.VDaEGxbej3t
The Neepawa Press
Reducing Cyberbullying and Exploitation among Teens in Canada
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection has launched two new programs to help reduce cyberbullying among some 37% of students who admit to being bullied on line. The first new module is directed to grades 7 and 8 and focused on adolescent sexual exploitation via the internet; the second to grades 9 and 10 is focused on sexual violence. http://www.neepawapress.com/article/20141006/NEEPAWA0101/141009981/-1/neepawa/reducing-cyberbullying-and-exploitation-among-teens-in-canada
ACLU (US)
Federal Appeals Court Limits “Mandatory” Immigration Detention
The federal court ruled that detainees have the right to appeal their detention orders. Just as in criminal cases, bail is supposed to be available after being charged unless there is flight risk or evident danger of another criminal act. The ruling paved the way for immediate releases in Massachusetts. https://www.aclu.org/immigrants-rights/federal-appeals-court-limits-mandatory-immigration-detention
Huffington Post (Canada) – Sunny Freeman
Regional Inequality In Canada Among Worst In Developed World: OECD
Canada has the third largest regional disparity in 2010 in income of 33 countries studied by the OECD. The good news is that the income gap between the highest and lowest 10% in income shrank by 14%, likely reflecting diminished economic activity in the richer regions rather than growth in the poorest regions. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/10/07/regional-disparity-canada_n_5948010.html