RJ alive!!!

July 28, 2016 

 Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Conference:  Jennifer Llewellyn – Schulich School of Law Youtube Channel  – A series of 21 videos from the recent International Conference in Nova Scotia, facilitated by Dalhousie and the Schulich School of Law
Context:  An op-ed piece by Nova Scotia Justice Minister Diana Whalen  
http://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20160628007

The majority of the presentations at the conference are found on the Schulich School of Law Youtube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmpfB7SOTRc&feature=youtu.be&list=PLFcZjYDP_3PhJsPzRl8CsFapxUEuPJocp  The focus of some of these presentations is the potential of RJ to achieve accountability and resolution of gender crimes, as well as RJ in campus culture and professional responsibility.   Additionally, the site also has addresses by some of Smart Justice Network leaders:  Barry Stuart :  Toward A Culture of Just Relationships   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEjz4N7S2To   Danny Graham:  Toward A Culture of Just Relationships   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJD7zPtRWo8   Dr. Jennifer Llewellyn  Opening: Conference Introduction:  Exploring the Possibilities of a Restorative Approach    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGrA8UEou-M    New Zealander Chris Marshall:   A Restorative Approach at Work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUn6mfryOmo   These videos, mostly 10-12 minutes each of succinct wisdom, drawn from long and profound reflection on where we are in RJ are a treasure trove in one place unlike anything else to date.

Molly Baldwin at Lesley University Commencement 2016 (US)

This commencement address – a 11 minutes video –  is from the founder and CEO of Roca, an innovative and creative organization that boasts the motto “less jail, more future” for youth who are immersed in violence and struggling against help, members of violent gangs and young mothers.  “Relentless outreach” is the main tool for so many young people in despair.  An inspiring address for anyone long in the trenches, especially with youth, around three principles for engagement in an evidence based program.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6pMUPJ-CdM   Roca home page:  http://rocainc.org/

CBC News – Kristy Nease, Matthew Kupfer
Witness describes fatal confrontation between Abdirahman Abdi and police – ‘From a total layperson perspective, it appeared that it escalated way too quickly,’ man says

Ottawa is the latest location on a death of a mentally ill man following an encounter with police.  Abdirahman Abdi, a 37-year-old Somali-Canadian man with mental health issues, arrived in Canada eight years ago.  Witnesses to the incident say that the man was beaten repeatedly by two police officers with batons and was dead on arrival at hospital.    http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/witness-confrontation-abdirahman-abdi-1.3695047  Related article: Ottawa Citizen – Evelyn Harford and Shaamini Yogaretnam    Ottawa man Abdirahman Abdi dies after confrontation with police   http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-man-abdirahman-abdi-dies-after-confrontation-with-police  Related article: Ottawa Citizen – Joanne Laucius   Police and use of force: “All situations are so complex”   http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/police-and-use-of-force-all-situations-are-so-complex

  CBC News
Immigration detainees now on Day 14 of hunger strike in Ontario – Detainees, who want a limit on detentions, are beginning to feel effects of hunger strike

Some fifty immigration detainees are held indefinitely in a maximum security prison are entering day 15 of a hunger strike.  In Canada, unlike other jurisdictions like the US, there is no limit to the length of time immigration detainees can be held in prison.  The detainees, held in two provincial prisons, the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, ON, and the Toronto East Detention Centre in Scarborough, are appealing to Minister Ralph Goodale for an end to the detention as the personal health of the fifty, who take nothing but water, is beginning to be impacted.  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/immigration-detainees-hunger-strike-ralph-goodale-1.3693631

Globe and Mail – Karen Howlett
Palliative-care doctors decry Ontario’s new opioid policy

Ontario Health care has just put a 200mg limit on opioids under the Ohip drug plan, a move say doctors that will cause considerable suffering for palliative care patients who require larger doses as death nears.  Drug substitutes will not be as effective for patients who cannot swallow pills.  Ohip has delisted a number of other drugs as well from the approved drug formulary.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/palliative-care-doctors-decry-ontarios-new-opioid-policy/article31112088/