Aug 24, 2016
Policy Options – Amarnath Amarasingam and Craig Forcese
Radicalization and violence in Canada: The Aaron Driver case
The authors are trying to provide some insight and clarity around what leads to radicalization and then in turn to violence. They point out that only a very small number are willing to overstep into violence and they call radicalization as a cause of violence a myth. The authors propose monitoring the actions rather than the mind of the potential terrorist as a better way to anticipate the violence and they offer some tools: risk mitigation and pre-emption. http://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/august-2016/radicalization-and-violence-in-canada-the-aaron-driver-case/
Canada.com – Ian MacLeod, Ottawa Citizen
Security experts laud Liberals’ go-slow approach to reviewing Conservatives’ anti-terror laws
The Driver case has caused a great deal of speculation about how the Liberals intend to review the C-51 legislation, part of the Liberal election promise after the Liberals gave the Bill a tentative approval under the Conservatives. The government has already proposed legislation for an over-sight committee but details around the changes to C-51 are secret and according to Minister Ralph Goodale unlikely to go to the House until next year. Security people seem pleased with the go-slow. http://www.canada.com/news/national/security+experts+laud+liberals+slow+approach+reviewing/12143220/story.html
CBC News – Karissa Donkin and Joan Weeks
Prison watchdog investigates death of N.B. inmate pepper-sprayed 5 times by guards
After a blistering report recently from Corrections Canada’s Correctional Investigator, Howard Sapers has yet another death in custody to investigate, raising, and perhaps justifying, the concerns. The case is complicated in that the call for an inquest in provinces is at the discretion of a coroner who has not issued a report on the cause of death in 15 months. Critics think that Matthew Hines, 33, likely died on May 27, 2015, of repeat pepper spray in over-reaction by guards followed at least by ineptitude in medical treatment after the spraying. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/prison-death-pepper-spray-1.3728443 Related article: CBC News Matthew Hines’s final moments at Dorchester Penitentiary (A two minute video laying out the time line of the incident) http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/matthew-hines-s-final-moments-at-dorchester-penitentiary-1.3730518 Related article: CBC News: Karissa Donkin and Connell Smith Secret New Brunswick jail deaths prompt calls for public review – A CBC News investigation has identified more than half of the 13 inmates who died, but much remains unknown http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/jail-deaths-new-brunswick-secrecy-1.3673732
Toronto Star – Amy B. Wang
American prisons have a new black-market currency: ramen; ‘They’ll kill for it’
Enough to replace cigarettes as the in-house currency in US prisons? Yes, bought in packages, the noodles are preferred dining over much of the food served in prison. Smoking is not prohibited but the currency is noodles. The noodles are cheap, tasty and rich in calories. Michael Gibson-Light, a doctoral candidate in the University of Arizona School of Sociology, is doing research and observed, in an unnamed institution, even the use of the noodles to cover a card game bet. https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/08/24/american-prisons-have-a-new-black-market-currency-ramen-theyll-kill-for-it.html
N.Y. Times (US) – David Bornstein
Putting the Power of Self-Knowledge to Work
Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACE’s is the focus of this growing research. Though we seem to know more about the self than previously, we don’t seem to apply the knowledge very well. “The effects of childhood trauma — so-called adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs — substantially increase risks for a range of negative outcomes, including dropping out of school, abusing drugs, becoming depressed, committing suicide, and being a victim of, or a perpetrator, of violence or abuse.” There is even an ACE score and estimates as high as one in four impacted by some sort of bad childhood experience. When people go to jail, childhood trauma is mostly overlooked as a contributing factor, faced with the crime. Washington state seems to make some progress in the area of ACE. Read about the “Hope Cafes.” http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/23/opinion/putting-the-power-of-self-knowledge-to-work.html?em_pos=small&emc=edit_ty_20160823&nl=opinion-today&nl_art=7&nlid=65895931&ref=headline&te=1&_r=1
Policing in Canada in the 21st Century: New Policing for New Challenges
This is a 220 page pdf offering the report from an expert panel on policing from the Council of Canadian Academies. The Council seeks to put the benefits of science at the disposal of pressing issues. The report set out to ask: “Given the evolution of crime, the justice system, and society, what do current evidence and knowledge suggest about the future of the public policing models used in Canada?” http://www.scienceadvice.ca/uploads/eng/assessments%20and%20publications%20and%20news%20releases/policing/policing_fullreporten.pdf
Globe and Mail – Andrea Woo
Inmate access to clean needles draws debate in B.C.
Just as clean needle centres in cities creates controversy, so does the provision of clean needles in prisons. This report offers the views of the civil liberties advocates and the correctional officers, details the seizures by the type of drugs found in BC prisons and the potential consequences of continuing to refuse the clean needles or providing them. The legal question is if inmates are entitled to the same health care already available outside the prison. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/inmate-access-to-clean-needles-draws-debate-in-bc/article31501785/