Smart on crime: Why reforming criminal justice is now a Conservative issue
from the article in The Economist:
....It is not only in Britain that criminal-justice reform has become a right-wing issue. The Right on Crime initiative, a creation of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a think-tank, counts leading Republicans such as Newt Gingrich and Jeb Bush among the fans of its campaign to divert more offenders from prisons to non-custodial sentences. Half of all American states voted to reduce the use of custody last year.
There is plenty of room for relaxation in punitive America, which locks up almost one in 100 people (England and Wales put away fewer than one in 500). But similar forces are at work in both places. Fiscal pressure is mounting. Overall crime rates are falling. And stubborn reoffending rates suggest that some things are not working.
Prisons are one of them.
May 21, 2012 Country:England&Wales, Region: Europe, Region: North America and Caribbean, Policy, Politics, Country:USA
Taylor war crimes verdict incomplete justice
from the article by Carina Ray in the Bradenton Herald:
The conviction of former Liberian President Charles Taylor amounts to only partial justice.
While many Sierra Leoneans are relieved to see Taylor finally convicted for his destructive role in their country's brutal civil war, his wanton destabilization elsewhere in West Africa hardly figured in the criminal proceedings against him.
May 18, 2012 Country:Liberia, Region: Africa, Country:Sierra Leone, National Reconciliation
Rena captain to residents: 'Sorry'
from the article by Kiri Gillespie in the Bay of Plenty Times:
Rena's captain and navigational officer have visited Motiti Island to apologise to residents for grounding the cargo ship on Astrolabe Reef.
When Rena grounded on October 5 last year, Motiti Island was transformed from a pristine green paradise to an oil-soaked mess. Residents were shocked, saddened and angry.
May 17, 2012 Region: Pacific, Apology, Offender, Country:New Zealand, Case:White Collar
First Nations Court opens in North Vancouver
from the article by Todd Coyne in the North Shore Outlook:
The judge is out of her usual judging clothes and the court sheriff wears no gun.
It’s not immediately apparent — not at first — if these are just oversights, but when Judge Joanne Challenger turns from the convicted man to the packed public gallery and asks for any suggestions on sentencing and the hands go up, it becomes clear: First Nations Court is different.
May 16, 2012 Minority, Indigenous, Region: North America and Caribbean, Policy, Guideline, Country:USA, Theory
The three different levels of Restorative Justice
From the article in the Sentinel:
Level One is for minor offences or non-criminal incidents like anti-social behaviour, which can be dealt with immediately by the officer at the scene.
All Staffordshire officers are being trained in this area.
May 15, 2012 Police, Victim, Diversion, Other, Region: Europe, Prison, Country:England&Wales
Angel Ruelas pleads guilty to murder of Pacific Grove teen
from the story by Virginia Hennessey for the Mercury News:
The brother of murder victim Kristopher Eric Olinger and the man who unexpectedly admitted killing the Monterey High School student hope to find some peace as part of the "restorative justice" program.
Angel Ruelas' plea Tuesday was a stunning development that came nearly 15 years after Olinger's horrific murder, six years after the defendant's arrest and moments before a pool of prospective jurors were brought into the courtroom for trial.
May 14, 2012 Policy, Case:Homicide, Region: North America and Caribbean, Country:USA
Who are you? Karen Lang
from Alicia Hanson's article on abc.net.au:
"Imagine you are shopping at Garden City - you are trying to find an appropriate jumper for your daughter. It has to have a high neck. Something that will compliment her blonde hair and fair skin. You know she would want to look her best. Finally you find a soft mauve high neck jumper, you know it will look beautiful on her. You clutch your purchase and contain yourself till you reach your car - where you break into sobs. The jumper is for your daughter to wear in the casket - there will be a viewing and the high neck is to cover her wounds. You will never shop at Garden City again without thinking of her. Imagine." - Karen Lang
May 11, 2012 Other, Case:Violence, Victim, Prison, Case:Homicide
A chance to heal unholy wounds
from Bronwyn Pike's article in the National Times:
For many years, religious organisations have grappled with the need to improve the ways they deal with abusive behaviour by their own clergy. In my previous role as director of social justice in the Uniting Church during the 1990s, I worked with my colleagues to develop sexual abuse complaints procedures. In that task I gained an appreciation of just how challenging and complex this issue can be.
May 10, 2012 Region: Pacific, Biblical, Country:Australia, Community, Religion, Case:Sexual, Policy
Growing past hate: 'Restorative justice' helps heal pain from teens' vandalism
from the article by Fred Van Liew in the DesMoines Register:
In March of 1994 members of the Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Des Moines awoke to find neo-Nazi graffiti scrawled on the side of their synagogue. There were no immediate suspects, but there was anguish, anger and outrage.
May 09, 2012 Court, Case:Hate Crime, Country:USA, Region: North America and Caribbean, Policy, Prosecutor
Restorative justice circles: Meeting the social brain needs, developing humanity
from Kris Miner's entry on Restorative Justice and Circles:
A power point from the National Association of Social Workers was recently forwarded to me. A great presentation I didn’t hear directly, by Johnathan Jordan, mindfully change. Some pieces immediately resonated and I can see how Restorative Justice Circle process promotes and leverages brain based change!
May 08, 2012 Limitations, Support, Practice
