Drawbacks in C-14…

    Aug. 24, 2015

 CBC News (BC) – Jason Proctor
Law that gives locations of mentally ill offenders questioned after B.C. man threatened

The revelation of the location of a man convicted for murder and released under the not-criminally-responsible provisions has resulted in threats of violence after the legislation authorized the victim to know the location.  The Review Board chair Bernd Walter says the entire board was troubled by the revelation and the consequences for the offender.  “D.E. (the victim) was notified of Eric Nelson’s location under a provision of Bill C-14, the Not Criminally Responsible Reform Act, which was proclaimed in July 2014.”  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/law-that-gives-locations-of-mentally-ill-offenders-questioned-after-b-c-man-threatened-1.3196912

 Yukon News – John Thompson
Stupidity outbreak mars Harper’s visit

The Conservatives come under criticism for the crime problem and solution that Stephen Harper has determined for the missing and murdered Aboriginal women.  Thompson points out that the two federal opposition parties, all the parties in the Yukon and even the local conservative MP have announced in favour of an inquiry.  The measure of sarcasm in the article likely reflects the frustration that so many feel about the issue.  “What a remarkably stupid position for the prime minister to take,” Thompson judges.   http://yukon-news.com/letters-opinions/stupidity-outbreak-mars-harpers-visit/ 

 Toronto Star – Jim Bronskill, Canadian Press
Feds consider scheme to circumvent effect of ruling that curbs police access to Internet subscriber data

In June 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that police need a warrant to obtain basic subscriber information and that agencies were not required to hand over subscriber data on demand by police.  Now, in a document from the Association of Police Chiefs it appears that the chiefs are looking for a way around the SCC ruling.  A discussion paper from the Department of Justice thinks it has three legislative ways to require subscriber data immediately and without a warrant.  http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/08/24/feds-consider-scheme-to-circumvent-effect-of-ruling-that-curbs-police-access-to-internet-subscriber-data.html

 Toronto Star – Dan Taekema
Inmates at Toronto South Detention Centre threaten to resume hunger strike

Inmates at the Toronto South Detention Centre spent three days on a hunger strike last week and are threatening to resume the strike to protest the frequency of lockdowns in which the inmates are confined to cells for reasons not entirely clear.  Lockdowns have more than tripled last year with over 900; according to one inmate, since February, there have been 111 to date.  There is a truce at the moment but promises of more strike action if there is no resolution of the presenting problems.  http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/08/23/inmates-at-toronto-south-detention-centre-threaten-to-resume-hunger-strike.html

Hamilton Spectator – Debra Black
After nearly a decade in Ontario jail – “Man with No Name” no longer a mystery

After eight years in detention, steadfastly refusing to give a name, Michael Mvogo has been identified by the Canada Border Services Agency and is scheduled to be deported from Canada to his native Cameroon on Aug. 25.  Mvogo was one of those held in detention because there was no country to which he could be sent.  When he arrived in Canada in 2005, he had a false US passport and a year later was arrested in a shelter with a small amount of cocaine.   The extent of the CBSA efforts to discover his identity is a story in itself.  http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5810846-after-nearly-a-decade-in-ontario-jail-man-with-no-name-no-longer-a-mystery/

York Dispatch News (Pennsylvania) – Julia Scheib
York City launches My Brother’s Keeper program 

The program is a challenge from US President Barak Obama to communities across the US to close the opportunity gaps for youth at risk.  Over 200 communities have responded to date.  This one started when the city mayor invited 60 people to a breakfast discussion and planning session.  Place based, locally driven and prompted by evidence based purposes, the program has six goals for participants to close the gaps.  http://www.yorkdispatch.com/breaking/ci_28691689/york-city-launches-my-brothers-keeper-program

 AZ Republican – Seth Robbins, Associated Press
Judge orders immigrant families released from detention  

California U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee has ordered the release of children in immigration detention and refused an appeal from Homeland Security to delay compliance with her order.  Further, Judge Gee also ordered the release of the mothers of these children and chastised the immigration authorities for failure to act resolutely in the release and said in her ruling that the authorities “routinely failed to proceed as expeditiously as possible to place accompanied minors, and in some instances, may still be unnecessarily dragging their feet now.” She also called Homeland Security’s concern about sparking a rush of immigrants at the border “speculation at best” and “fear-mongering.”    http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/immigration/2015/08/22/judge-orders-immigrant-families-released-detention/32206735/