July 18, 2013
Canada.com – Tobi Cohen, Postmedia News
Cabinet shakeup may shift law-and-order agenda into cruise control
The analysis of the impact on justice in Canada acknowledges that Peter MacKay in Justice and Steven Blaney in Solicitor General are not likely to pursue more ‘tough-on-crime’ agenda items but rather more likely to deal with the aftermath of an aggressive accumulation of legislation. Irwin Waller of the University of Ottawa thinks that MacKay has the Victims Bill of Rights to deal with and Blaney will likely confront policing costs. http://www.canada.com/technology/Cabinet+shakeup+shift+order+agenda+into+cruise+control/8668302/story.html
Chronicle Herald (Halifax) – Eva Hoare
Appointee: Home legal case off limits
Appointed by the NS government to heal the riff between the government and the victims of the Home for Colored Children, Robert Wright is at an impasse. Government wants to resolve the issues in court and not using RJ. Long time RJ advocate and professor at Dalhousie’s Schulich School of Law, Jennifer Llewellyn says “the province can’t expect a court battle on one hand and healing on the other.” http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1142746-appointee-home-legal-case-off-limits
CBC Ottawa Morning – Interview with Margot Van Sluytman
Friend with her father’s murderer
Margot was interviewed by CBC Ottawa on the occasion of a presentation on RJ. The radio interview is just over 10 minutes in length, a powerful testimony to what Margot says is our need to change our approach to crime and justice. http://www.cbc.ca/ottawamorning/episodes
Vancouver Sun – Ruth Myles, Postmedia News
Crime and punishment – Women cope with life behind bars in new series orange is the new black
A new Netflix series on women in prison called Orange Is the New Black is about to debut. The first episode is based on real life prison experiences of Piper Kerman, who was a mule for drug money and served 15 months. The series stars Taylor Schilling. “When people think of prison and prisoners, they rarely think of women,” says Kerman.http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Crime+punishment/8675506/story.html#ixzz2ZOuTsocV
The Telegraph (UK) – Rosa Silverman
Prison is ‘ineffective’ punishment for many women offenders, say MPs
The British Commons Justice Select Committee has concluded, after hearings, that only a small percentage of women now in prison need to be there and that the probation reforms were ignoring the needs of women. Of 3900 inmates, the Committee thinks that a mere 145 needed to be in prison. “The MPs concluded that prison remained an “expensive and ineffective” way of dealing with many female offenders who do not pose a significant risk to public safety.” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10179317/Prison-is-ineffective-punishment-for-many-women-offenders-say-MPs.html
Detention Watch Network (US)
Detention Watch Network Releases New Infographic Revealing the Ugly Truth About Immigration Detention
Click on the graphic for an enlarged view of the various illustrations. The stats used are from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Vera Institute of Justice. The graphics collectively paint a picture of ‘a shockingly unjust and inhumane system.’ http://detentionwatchnetwork.wordpress.com/2013/07/16/infographic-the-whole-truth-about-immigration-detention Related article: Marketwatch http://www.marketwatch.com/story/detention-watch-network-releases-new-infographic-revealing-the-ugly-truth-about-immigration-detention-2013-07-17
Vancouver Sun – Tom Zytaruk
Laura Szendrei’s killer can’t get the help he needs in youth system, psychiatrist testifies
An unnamed youth convicted of murdering Laura Szendrei when he was just under the age of 18 can not get the treatment he needs in a youth facility according to the psychiatrist director of Youth Forensic Services in BC. The pronouncement may lead to an adult sentence of life in prison. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Laura+Szendrei+killer+help+needs+youth+system+psychiatrist/8668219/story.html#ixzz2ZKyA7xc5
Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC)
Shield my school: A self-evaluation tool to combat bullying
The Society has produced a tool-kit for assessing and responding to bullying in schools. The assessment is based on 10 statements about the school. Each statement has a guideline for discussion and an action plan. The 40 page document is available for a free download in pdf format at the link.http://www.ispcc.ie/uploads/files/dir276/dir13/12_0.php Related article: Waterford Today Child Protection in the area of bullying http://www.waterford-today.ie/waterford-lifestyle/20173-child-protection-in-the-area-of-bullying-20173.html
Fox News – Associated Press
Gang expert to US court on Chicago school closings: ‘Likely a child will be shot and killed’
The question of closing some 50 schools in Chicago and forcing children to go through the various rival gangs’ territory to a new school has wound up in court in an effort to stop the closures. John Hagedorn, a University of Illinois professor and gang expert, says if the closures go ahead “…children have to cross gang borders, you are putting them in a situation where they are in the line of fire.” he testified. “It creates a severe risk for children (going into) unfamiliar neighborhoods.” http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/17/gang-expert-to-us-court-on-chicago-school-closings-likely-child-will-be-shot/#ixzz2ZMWt2vpY