Nov. 8, 2014
Globe and Mail – Gary Mason
The wrongfully convicted are never truly set free
Ivan Henry spent 27 years in prison for crimes he did not commit and the case according to critics was not only thin but corrupt. Henry is now in BC court looking for financial settlement for the wrongful conviction. After conviction for 10 sexual crimes, Henry was also declared a dangerous offender. Mason points out that most wrongfully convicted never get exonerated, only acquitted, and when released are without any type of re-integration support. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/the-wrongfully-convicted-are-never-truly-set-free/article21481822
Globe and Mail – Tabatha Southey
Peter MacKay’s scary, big-budget film noir
Southey invites us to consider “the hooker with the heart of god” as a narrative behind the Prostitution Bill. She – it’s mostly the women – is one forced into the profession and is in search of hero to deliver her. Those of lower moral character who did choose to practice the sale of sex departed from the script and could be ignored when they offered testimony about the need for protection. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/columnists/peter-mackays-scary-big-budget-film-noir/article21499665
Ottawa Citizen – Postmedia News
Michael Zehaf-Bibeau: Journey to death on Parliament Hill
This article is the long view – tracing a journey of 4700 kilometres from BC to Ottawa, from petty criminal to murderer and to terrorizing the seat of Canada’s federal government. http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/michael-zehaf-bibeau-journey-to-death-on-parliament-hill
The New Yorker (US) – Vauhini Vara
Will California Again Lead the Way on Prison Reform?
California was among the first states to develop the mass incarceration from the ‘tough-on-crime approach. Though the consequences of Proposition 47 approved by the midterm elections are not yet fully clear, California may well be among the first to offer a legislated response to prison and sentence reform. Vara looks at the history and the potential of Prop 47 for effective and significant change for the better. http://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/will-california-lead-way-prison-reform Related article: The Bayview – Diana Zuñiga Advocates celebrate Prop. 47 victory against mass incarceration and war on drugs but raise concerns about where the funding will go: four perspectives http://sfbayview.com/2014/11/advocates-celebrate-prop-47-victory-against-mass-incarceration-and-war-on-drugs-but-raise-concerns-about-where-the-funding-will-go-four-perspectives/ (Note: scroll the link for additional articles, the last by Marc Mauer of the Sentencing Project.) Related article: The Pacific Index – Keyah Agoot Women in Psychology conference: Professor presents on incarcerated women http://www.pacindex.com/news/2014/11/06/women-in-psychology-conference-professor-presents-on-incarcerated-women Related article: N.Y. Times – Op-ed Hanna Kozlowska You May Have Missed It, but There Was an Election Debate on Criminal Justice Reform http://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/06/you-may-have-missed-it-but-there-was-an-election-debate-on-criminal-justice-reform/?_r=0 Related article: L.A. Times Paige St. John, Marisa Gerber Prop. 47 jolts landscape of California justice system http://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-me-ff-pol-proposition47-20141106-story.html#page=1
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
In partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Commission, this three day innovative approach to conferencing – the world’s first virtual conference on suicide prevention – takes place on Nov. 19-21 with a look at prevention, intervention and postvention. The conference offers four keynote with a theme of community on day one, collaboration on day 2, and hope on day 3. Conference agenda: http://caspconference.ca/conference2014 Registration: http://caspconference.ca/registration
National Catholic Reporter – Mary Ann McGivern
How a group of architects is working toward restorative justice
McGivern recounts participation in a panel entitled “Towards Guidelines for Segregated Housing,” at a national conference of Architects for Social Justice. Those involved would like to see the design and construction of solitary housing declared unethical. http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/how-group-architects-working-toward-restorative-justice
Nunatsiak-on-line – Lise Gregoire
One-stop centre for child crime victims proposed for Nunavut – Arctic youth group gets $225,000 from Ottawa to study, plan
The Arctic Child and Youth Foundation has acquired some funding from the federal government and wants to both set up a youth victim of crime centre and a study of effectiveness of one centre. The centre would co-ordinate and streamline victim services for youth who come forward as victims of sexual abuse, assault or other crimes. Workers say the notion of telling their victimization to police is often too intimidating to be effective. http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674one-stop_centre_for_child_crime_victims_proposed_for_nunavut1
Spiked-on-line (UK) – Tim Black
Will Cornick: Turning a teen into the “Face of Evil”
The 15 year old Cornick stabbed his 61 year old Spanish teacher to death. An under 18 youth is normally subjected to the Youth Justice System but the judge stripped his anonymity and sentenced him to 20 years in prison, adding that he might never be released. http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/will-cornick-turning-a-teen-into-the-face-of-evil/16151#.VF6KB8nej3s