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| In support of prisoners and prison justice activism in Canada | |
The Politics
of Prison
Current
Events & News. . . . .
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All the polticial parties, particularly the Tories, are riding this current election on the tough on crime agenda. That is, the fear of crime and their claim that they are the ones "taking action" and "keeping you safe". [The government spin: www.tacklingcrime.ca]
There is indeed much that needs to be done to make our communities safer. (Safer meaning respectful and physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy.) Unforunately, the things the Tories are proposing and that they (along with the NDP & Liberals) have passed in the last two years, will lead us farther away from genuinely safer communities.
Don't believe the tough on crime hype.
Find out more...
DEBUNKING THE TOUGH ON CRIME AGENDA
Articles, Research, Interviews
Sept, 2008
General Tough on Crime Articles
Tough-on-crime policies ineffective, U.S. sentencing expert contends(Canada.com article)
Getting Tough on Tough on Crime (Stark Raven)
Canada's crime rate drops for 3rd straight year: StatsCan (CBC Article, July/08)
Bill C-2
(the tough on crime omnibus bill, officially known as The Tackling Violent Crime Act) became law on March 1, 2008.
Articles on this bill:
Omnibus Bill Passes in Senate (Feb 27/08).
Conservatives threaten to call an election if Senate fails to pass bill by March 1. (Feb/08)
Toronto Star Article on Bill C-2
CBC Article on Bill C-2
Audio Interview with Kim Pate, Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies and Christine Lamonte, Sisters in Action and Solidarity on Bill C-2, the tough on crime omnibus bill, the prison review panel and the Correctional Investigator's annual report.
Community Calls to Action:
From the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies
From Joint Effort and Sisters In Action and Solidarity
More Resources on Bill C-2:
Full Text & Status of the Bill
The Issues
CONDITIONAL SENTENCING
Bill C-9, Eliminating the Use of Conditional Sentencing for Various Crimes.
Passed May, 2007. Came into effect Dec, 2007.
Summary of Bill C-9 ( (pdf)
Canadian Criminal Justice Association Position on Bill C-9
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network on Bill C-9
Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies Position on C-9 (pdf)
Canadian Bar Association (CBA) on Bill C-9 (pdf)
John Howard Society of Canada on Bill C-9 (pdf)
Stop Prisoner Rape (US Organization) on Bill C-9 & C-10 (pdf)
Concerns Over New Law Restricting Conditional Sentencing
Justice Committee Guts Tory Bill Banning Conditional Sentencing
Mandatory Minimums and Gun Crimes, Banning Conditional Sentencing
MANDATORY MINIMUMS
For Gun Crimes (A part of Bill C-2, formerly known as Bill C-10):
Summary of Bill C-10 (pdf)
Canadian Criminal Justice Association Position on Bill C-10
John Howard Society of Canada on Bill C-10
Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies on C-10 (pdf)
Canadian Bar Association (CBA) on Bill C-10 (pdf)
Stop Prisoner Rape (US Organization) on Bill C-9 & C-10 (pdf)
Mandatory Minimums and Gun Crimes, Banning Conditional Sentencing
Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Bill Heading to Senate
Tory Bill Increasing Mandatory Minimums for Gun Laws Facing Critics In Justice Committee
Audio Interview with Joanne Ceste (Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network) on Mandatory Minimum Sentences and Drug Laws in Canada.
Audio Interview: Mandatory Minimums, Drugs, Incarceration and HIV
THREE STRIKES...
and You're a Dangerous Offender and the Onus is Reversed (A part of Bill C-2, formerly known as Bill C-27)
Summary of Bill C-27 (pdf)
Canadian Criminal Justice Association Position on C-27
CBC Backgrounder on C-27
Mcgill Daily Editorial: Three strikes; justice is out
Audio Interview with Jason Gratl (BCCLA) on Three Strikes Bill (produced by Stark Raven)
Three Strikes Bill (article)
**For more resources, check out the prison-related news, Stark Raven podcasts, leaflets on different prison issues and our links page.