May 15, 2013
National Offenders Management Services (NOMS) (UK)
Wait ‘Til Eight restorative justice guidance launched
NOMS has a new start-up guide for RJ offender-victim conferencing. The 110 page guide sets up eight preparatory steps derived from 12 years of RJ in the Thames Valley where experience has suggested that these eight steps are vital. The entire guide is available at the link in free download pdf format. http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/about/noms/wait-til-eight-guidance.pdf
Global News
New website aims to help victims of cyberbullying
A new web site, NeedHelpNow.ca, started by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection is trying to offer help to young people trying to control the impact of cyberbullying. http://globalnews.ca/news/499306/new-website-aims-to-help-victims-of-cyberbullying Need help now site: http://needhelpnow.ca/app/en
Justice Center – The Council of State Governments (U.S.)
Adults with Behavioral Health Needs under Correctional Supervision: A Shared Framework for Reducing Recidivism and Promoting Recovery
The 83 page report aims at reducing recidivism through community supports and evidence based research advice to state governments. The center says: The Council of State Governments Justice Center is a national non-profit organization that serves policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels from all branches of government. Staff provides practical, nonpartisan advice and evidence-based, consensus-driven strategies to increase public safety and strengthen communities. The center: http://csgjusticecenter.org/mental-health It appears that the report is readable on line but not downloadable: http://csgjusticecenter.org/mental-health-projects/behavioral-health-framework
CNN (US) – The Lead with Jake Tapper
Missing children myths and the real steps parents should take to protect kids
David Finkelhor, director of Crimes against Children Research Center, and Tapper offer five myths about missing children. http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/05/15/missing-children-myths-and-the-real-steps-parents-should-take-to-protect-kids/?hpt=hp_c3
AZ Central.com – Alia Beard Rau
Controversial Arizona laws rack up big legal fees
One side says political getting even, the other side says the state is too willing to ignore the constitution in its zeal for tough immigration sanctions. In the meantime, the legal fees are enormous. http://www.azcentral.com//news/politics/articles/20130508arizona-controversial-laws-rack-up-big-legal-fees.html?source=nletter-
Foster’s Daily Democrat (New Hampshire) – Michelle Kingston
UNH study: Violence against children hasn’t increased during the recession
The economic recession has not brought an increase in violence against children but the ‘normal’ rates are alarming as the University of New Hampshire tracked 50 forms of violence against children. http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130514/GJNEWS_01/130519723
US National RJ Conference – June 19-21, 2013 – Toledo, Ohio
Keynote Speaker is Angela Davis with Tim Wise, Julius Bailey, Shakti Butler, Theo Gavrielides and others. Speaker bios at link. http://www.restorativejusticenow.org/conference-speakers-2013
Pasadena Star News (California) – Zen Vuong
Cops test-drive pre-emptive policing
Alhambra police are in the cloud, the computer cloud, that is. Based on data from crimes reported and the analysis of that data, the computer tells them where a crime is likely to be committed. The software takes five years of data and produces a map. http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_23243829/cops-test-drive-preemptive-policing
Lawyer’s Weekly (Australia) – Stephanie Quine
Lawyers look at colonial influence on justice system
This article comes from a one day conference intriguingly entitled Post Colonialism, Mental Illness and Prisons. Aradale Lunatic Asylum operated in prison like terms of reference from 1867 to it close in 1998, leaving a series of leather bound books in muted testimony to how things were done. http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/news/lawyers-look-at-colonial-influence-on-justice-syst
The Guardian (UK)
British maker of death penalty drugs adds new restrictions for US buyers
Hikma Pharmaceuticals has announced its decision add restrictions to the sale of lethal drugs usd in state executions in the U.S., joining a growing European Union boycott on selling lethal drugs to the U.S. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/15/death-penalty-drugs-us-uk