April 13, 2013
New America Media: Law and Justice
Youth Justice at the Crossroads–A New Vision of Opportunity Before Incarceration
Having worked to achieve a 32% reduction in juvenile crime over the last ten years, and an astounding 92% reduction in youth incarceration over the last fifteen years, California is now down-loading the justice process to the counties and rumours are flying about the state getting out of juvenile justice. http://newamericamedia.org/2013/04/youth-justice-at-the-crossroads–a-new-vision-of-opportunity-before-incarceration.php
Huffington Post – DJ Jaffe
Obama’s Mental Health Plan: Failure in the Making
The Obama plan to spend money to train teachers to recognize mental illness, mental health professionals to response more effectively and to treat traumatized youth is $205 million badly spent according to Jaffe, executive director of Mental Illness Policy Org. Because there are three times as many mentally ill in prison than in hospital, Jaffe thinks it would be smart to consult police and those in the criminal justice system before applying a cure. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/obama-mental-health-plan_b_3056889.html
Monterey County Herald – Julia Reynolds
Stricter oversight sought for prison mental health programs
The mental health unit inside Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad may be witness to what happens when funding and staffing are cut in prison psychiatric facilities. Attorneys Michael Bien and Ernest Galvan filed suit in federal court citing recently uncovered “substantial, troubling evidence of severe harm” to patients.” http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_23008561/stricter-oversight-sought-prison-mental-health-programs
Toronto Star – Jayme Poisson and David Bruser
Star investigation: Star reporters buy cheap U.S. gun, no ID required
The Star has started a series on the gun pipeline from the US – from six specific states – to Toronto. The article includes a three and a half minute video showing how easy it is to buy a gun. http://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2013/04/12/star_investigation_star_reporters_buy_cheap_us_gun_no_id_required.html
Presbyterian Church of the US (Louisville, Ky) – Melissa Davis
Immigrants in Detention and Solitary Confinement
The Presbyterian Church through the National Immigrant Justice Center and the Physicians for Human Rights has sponsored and published a report called “Invisible in Isolation.” The report has a definition of various types of segregation and offers a 3 page executive summary. The report offers a number of recommendations on ending the practice of solitary confinement of immigrants. https://www.immigrantjustice.org/sites/immigrantjustice.org/files/Invisible%20in%20Isolation-The%20Use%20of%20Segregation%20and%20Solitary%20Confinement%20in%20Immigration%20Detention.September%202012_7.pdf
Vancouver Sun-on-line:
Guns and gangs
A four part series highlighting the guns and the gangs responsible for gun violence in Atlantic Canada. Gun supply is often legal owners and victims of break-and-enter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C6Qyupd8W0
Guardian Media (Trinidad)
Promising move by education ministry
Trinidad’s Ministry of Education has its own version of the school to jail pipeline and is spending $90.7 million to add psychiatrists, social workers and school counsellors as preventative measures. http://guardian.co.tt/editorial/2013-04-13/promising-move-education-ministry?qt-realestate_classfieds=0
The Canadian Association for Statutory Human Rights Agencies
Danny Graham keynotes this gathering. Nova Scotia has recently prescribed restorative processes for its Human Rights Commission and is hosting the rest of Canada as these member agencies look to a new vision. Halifax – May 29-31, 2013 Web site: www.CASHRA2013.ca Register at: https://www.esourceevent.com/register/register.aspx?EventName=cashra2013