June 14, 2013
The Canadian Safe School Network and YOUCAN Youth Services
Call For Presenters: The National Restorative Justice Symposium 2013
The National Restorative Justice Symposium Planning Committee invites interested individuals/groups to present workshops that will share best practices, ideas and strategies reflecting the 2013 theme Inspiring Innovation. For an application to present: (Deadline for Submissions: Friday, August 16, 2013 Symposium to be held in November 2013 in Toronto.) http://www.youcan.ca/national/images/nrjs.pdf
CBC News
Rehtaeh Parsons cyberbullying report calls for hospital review
Two educational experts looking into the teen’s suicide have recommended a review of the treatment of Parsons as a patient at the IWK Health Centre. The experts also noted transfers to three different schools with a variety of policies governing the transfers.In the meantime, Professor Wayne Mackay of Dalhousie notes that many recommendations of the report from a year ago have not been implemented. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2013/06/14/ns-rehtaeh-parsons-school-board.htmlFull report from NS: http://antibullying.novascotia.ca
Stats Canada (Both reports available in downloadable pdf format at the link)
Youth Court statistics 2011-2012
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/130613/dq130613d-eng.htm
Adult court statistics for 2011-2012
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/130613/dq130613d-eng.htm
John Howard Society – Ontario
Executive Director Paula Osmok suggests all of us need to look at the issue of prison violence and the conditions described in the Marin report THE CODE in context, not as an isolated problem. She suggests that we recognize common ownership in that these inmates are coming back to the community eventually but that we should add overcrowding, growing rates of mental illness among the inmates and a growing remand population. http://johnhoward.on.ca/pdfs/JHSO%20Response%20to%20Ombudsman%20Report%20June%2014%202013.pdf
Toronto Star – Editorial
Violence in Ontario jails must be stopped
The editorial, in response to Andre Morin damning report on violence inside the jails, the code of silence and the excessive force against inmates needs immediate ministry attention, no matter how few guards are caught up in the violence or the silence. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2013/06/14/violence_in_ontario_jails_must_be_stopped_editorial.html Related article: Toronto Star – Alyshah Hasham Etobicoke superjail: 1,650 inmates, 2 rooms to meet their lawyers http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/06/13/etobicoke_superjail_1650_inmates_2_rooms_to_meet_their_lawyers.html
Indian Country Today Media Network.com
New Law in Seattle Could Help Natives Disproportionate Statistics
In Seattle, Washington, the city council has passed a law prohibiting exclusion from employment on the basis of a criminal conviction unless there is a direct connection to the type of work. Prime mover Steve Harrell said in council: “The legislation is important in making our local economy work for everyone, removing barriers to accessing jobs and creating a pathway for re-entry and success.”http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/06/13/new-law-seattle-could-help-natives-disproportionate-statistics-149863
Medical Justice
Detaining pregnant women seriously damages their health and puts their babies at risk, new report warns
The 88 page report, Expecting Change: the case for ending the immigration detention of pregnant women, says that stillbirth, miscarriage and acute psychosis are amongst the problems experienced by pregnant women held in immigration removal centres. http://www.medicaljustice.org.uk/mj-reports,-submissions,-etc./reports/2017-medical-justice-expecting-change-the-case-for-ending-the-immigration-detention-of-pregnant-women-110613.html Full report in downloadable pdf format: http://www.medicaljustice.org.uk/images/stories/reports/expectingchange.pdf
ABC News (US) – Ted Hesson
Following the Money as Immigration Reform Heats Up
Here’s an intriguing ‘follow-the-money’ view of the activity behind the US efforts to reform immigration law and the current practice of detention. The report tracks the tech lobby, the private prison lobby and ad buys. http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/money-flows-lobbying-ad-buys-immigration-reform-heats/story?id=19393095#.UbsVVZxcvis