February 8, 2016
Toronto Star – Ann Dempsey
Lockdowns “similar” to solitary, jail security official says – Toronto South Detention Centre security manager testifies that he knows of no policies limiting lockdowns in jails.
There is increasing controversy over the use of solitary confinement in Canada’s prisons, federal and provincial. This report identifies a further problem in that lockdowns, in which inmates are confined to their cells sometimes for protracted time, creates the same consequences. Michael MacLennan, security manager at the two-year-old Etobicoke superjail, does not know of any policies governing the practice of lockdowns. He was testifying in a sentencing hearing that was abruptly adjoined when the Court discovered that neither Crown nor defence had gotten fully documentation from the Toronto South Detention Centre. No blame assigned, yet. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/02/08/lockdowns-similar-to-solitary-jail-security-official-says.html
Globe and Mail – Daniel Leblanc
Liberals’ vow to legalize pot creating chaos, police say
Faced with a steady increase in the number of pot dispensaries across the country, and a growing belief by users that pot is now legal, Tom Stamatakis, president of the Canadian Police Association, says: “On the street, you have citizens who are convinced or have allowed themselves to be convinced that marijuana is now legal and it’s okay to not only use it, but to manufacture and sell it.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-vow-to-legalize-pot-creating-chaos-police-say/article28641321/
Toronto Star – Laura Kane, Canadian Press
Ghomeshi trial emails highlight importance of “digital debris”
Legal experts reviewing the testimony in the Ghomeshi trail are pointing to the influence of digital evidence retrieved from 13 years ago and suggesting that the “digital debris” needs be recognized as permanent. Unlike the telephone call, the e-mail message is a record but one often assumed to be temporary. “With emails, there can be ghosts or shadows that sort of reverberate out there,” says Ronald Cenfetelli, chair in management information systems at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/02/07/ghomeshi-trial-emails-highlight-importance-of-digital-debris.html
Prison Reform Trust (UK)
Reducing the unnecessary imprisonment of mothers, improving the chances for their children
9,000 women in prison in the UK means 17,240 children, many under the age of 5 years, are separated from mothers, often the sole parental support of the children. “For the first time, there is a statutory obligation (in Section 10 of the Offender Rehabilitation Act 2014) to identify and address women’s needs in arrangements for the supervision and rehabilitation of offenders. This should include childcare and parenting support – otherwise women may be unable to comply with the terms of a community supervision order.” http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/PressPolicy/News/vw/1/ItemID/276
Tedx Talks – Reclaim Justice Network: Maya Schenwar
Beyond reform – abolishing prisons
This link is a 15 minute Ted Talk that suggests that there is nothing ‘correctional’ about putting people in cages where violence and trauma most often leads to re-imprisonment. Cutting family and social ties while in prison is a major factor. “Prison produces more prison….prison is criminogenic in itself…Prison is built on a fiction. For a human being, there is no such thing as a good cage.” https://downsizingcriminaljustice.wordpress.com/2016/02/09/video-beyond-reform-abolishing-prisons/
Hill Times-on-line – Abbas Rana
McCallum promises “radical changes” to Citizenship Act
Bill C-24 under the Conservatives brought some significant changes to the immigration process. Minister McCallum is suggesting the liberals will also bring significant changes, including the 2014 language requirement (proficiency in English or French), and the possibility of revoking citizenship. At this point, it is not clear what other aspects of C-24 will be revised. http://www.hilltimes.com/news/news/2016/02/08/mccallum-promises-radical-changes-to-citizenship-act/45180
Toronto Star – Sara Mojtehedzadeh
Federal proposals on unpaid internships “galling,” advocates say
The Canadian Intern Association has withdrawn from consultations with the federal government over the revision of the labour law governing unpaid interns. The proposal which came from the previous Conservative government wants a four month probationary period on jobs under federal jurisdiction such as banking and telecommunications. The organization wants the same protection for first time hires as for anybody else and no hire without pay. Until recently, the federal labour code was silent on unpaid internship. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/02/09/federal-proposals-on-unpaid-internships-galling-advocates-say.html