April 20, 2013
Daily Democrat (Woodland, CA)
Yolo County District Attorney hopes Neighborhood Court will reduce repeat offenses
More common perhaps in the UK, this is the second example of neighbourhood courts in California to date. Panels of local residents, who get some training in restorative justice practices, hear the case and place the emphasis on victim’s needs, restitution and repairing the harm caused. http://www.dailydemocrat.com/news/ci_23060423/yolo-county-district-attorney-hopes-neighborhood-court-will
Toronto Star – Jim Rankin and Patty Winsa
Unequal justice: Aboriginal and black inmates disproportionately fill Ontario jails
University of Toronto doctoral candidate Akwasi Owusu-Bempah requested the data under the freedom of information act. The analysis shows Aboriginals and Blacks overrepresented in the adult and youth jails in Ontario. Aboriginals are five times overrepresented, Blacks four times. http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2013/03/01/unequal_justice_aboriginal_and_black_inmates_disproportionately_fill_ontario_jails.html Related article: Mother, sons sucked into criminal justice system http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2013/03/01/unequal_justice_mother_sons_sucked_into_criminal_justice_system.html
Chicago Maroon (Illinois)
Law professors talk child immigration struggles
In 2012, there were 15,000 children held in immigration detention. Projections for 2013 suggest 24,000. Two law school professors discuss the short comings of the present laws around unaccompanied immigrant children. http://chicagomaroon.com/2013/04/19/law-professors-talk-child-immigration-struggles Related article: Teen’s life turned upside-down when immigration officials detain her mom and dad http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/teen-fights-parents-immigration-detention-article-1.1320964#ixzz2Quxl3lVI
Examiner.com
American University Washington College of Law: The (in)justice of mental health in prison
Three survivors of prison, including private prisons, discuss the trauma impact of prison and the re-entry process after prison. http://www.examiner.com/article/the-justice-of-mental-health-prison
Psychiatric News (US) – Aaron Levin
Rulings Guide Psychiatrists on Forced-Treatment Limits
“Right-to-refuse-treatment issues are likely to increase as more people [with mental illness] are diverted into the criminal justice system,” said Charles Scott, M.D., a professor and chief of the Division of Psychiatry and the Law at the University of California, Davis. “With that, there will be more competency cases and more decisions about medication use.” http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/newsArticle.aspx?articleid=1680426
TV One News (New Zealand)
Sensible Sentencing website plan lacks sense – Labour
Government is reacting to a suggestion by the Sensible Sentencing Trust that the public judge the judges using a website. The proposal is prompted by victim dissatisfaction with sentences imposed by two particular judges. http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/sensible-sentencing-website-plan-lacks-sense-labour-5410891
Toronto Star – Jayme Poisson and David Bruser
The gun pipeline: Mules who bring firearms across border pay high price for fast money
Part 3 of the gun pipeline series exposes three mules who brought guns destined criminals across the border. http://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2013/04/19/the_gun_pipeline_mules_who_bring_firearms_across_border_pay_high_price_for_fast_money.html