Nov 27, 2014
Globe and Mail Editorial (Nov. 26, 2014)
Policing lessons for Canada from the Ferguson fiasco
Who is policing the police? Suggesting that death is often treated differently when a police officer is responsible for a death, the editorial wants to pre-empt the possible perception that different standards apply for a police officer, including standards in the use of force, de-escalation in situations and appropriate supervision. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/editorials/policing-lessons-for-canada-from-the-ferguson-fiasco/article21779673
The Guardian (Australian News) – Melissa Davey
Victorian Coalition proposes indefinite jail sentences for repeat offenders – Legal experts say policy, which could be implemented if Napthine government is re-elected, could breach human rights
The state of Victoria wants to have an automatic indefinite life sentence for any inmate who has been previously convicted a serious crime. With a 14% growth in inmates in 2014, critics decried the move as unconstitutional and likely to inflate the prison population in the extreme. http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/nov/25/victorian-coalition-proposes-indefinite-jail-sentences-for-repeat-offenders
Prison Reform Trust
Rt Hon Simon Hughes MP outlines Lib Dem plans for prison reform
Under prodding from PRT, the three political parties are responding to a PRT designed questionnaire on how the particular party would initiate and accomplish prison reform. Hughes is Minister for Justice and Civil Liberties and includes a number of sticky issues in corrections in the UK including women in prison, sentencing. http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/PressPolicy/News/vw/1/ItemID/250?dm_i=47L,2ZXT3,6JSCMH,ASIF0,1
Toronto Star – Alyshah Hasham
The parole system in Canada is failing, a study argues, but perhaps not for the reason you think – A recent study argues that the decline in prisoners being granted parole has critical impact on community safety
Everyone knows that within the Canadian justice system there are fewer and fewer people getting parole. The Criminal Law Quarterly says parole is failing its primary responsibility to keep us safe. When inmates serve to sentence expiry, they re-enter the community without any assistance and there is no way to enforce good sense measures. That increases the likelihood that the inmate will re-offend and perhaps violently. Gradual and controlled release and re-entry is a far safer way. U of T Criminologist Anthony Doob says: “There is a growing body of literature which suggests going to prison isn’t going to make you a better person, and if anything is going make it more likely you would reoffend.” http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2014/11/21/the_parole_system_in_canada_is_failing_a_study_argues_but_perhaps_not_for_the_reason_you_think.html
Globe and Mail – Tavia Grant
Canadian governments need to fight growing income inequality, study warns
We are leaning towards growing income disparity and we don’t want wider gaps in income the government will have to lean against the factors causing the trend, says Craig Alexander, chief economist of Toronto-Dominion Bank. In Canada, we have felt our track record was better than the US and that we do not need to be concerned. No longer… http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/canadas-tax-transfer-system-needs-rethink-amid-growing-inequality-study/article21720250 Related article: RT.com – US and Canada on ‘parallel’ path to economic inequality-US economist Robert Reich http://rt.com/business/208251-us-canada-parallel-path Related article: CBC News Canada becomes more unequal, but good policies could halt that: TD Bank http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-becomes-more-unequal-but-good-policies-could-halt-that-td-bank-1.2847027
Huffington Post (US) – Matt Stroud
Black Friday Is One Of The Busiest Days For Gun Purchases
Last year in the US 186,000 guns or 512 gun sales per day slipped through the regulations governing checking for criminal record or mental illness. Black Friday, when more guns are purchased than on any other day, means that an attempt to check will happen every 2 seconds to check the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Workers at NICS have three days to declare positive evidence that an applicant has a criminal record or a mental health issue. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/26/black-friday-guns_n_6223884.html
CBC News
Prescription heroin offered in Vancouver outside of clinical trial for 1st time
Prescription heroin on a continuing basis to addicts who participated in clinical studies is at issue. Once the studies finished, they and the doctors both thought the medications appropriate. The prescriptions began being dispensed today to about 120 patients by a doctor on a downtown east side clinic site where the drug must be consumed in the clinic. The prescription heroin is manufactured in Switzerland. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/prescription-heroin-offered-in-vancouver-outside-of-clinical-trial-for-1st-time-1.2850223