http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/29/blear_confirms_nhs_biometrics/
John Lettice
"Although the Home Office has been chanting the ?3.1 billion mantra as the cost of the ID scheme, the reality, as confirmed by David Blunkett in his evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, is that the total will be greatly in excess of this, and that individual departments will be forced to foot the bill, which nevertheless is unlikely to figure in whatever it is the Home Office ultimately claims it paid. In this case the biometric reading systems the GPs won't want will be paid for from the NHS budget, as part of the electronic medical record system currently being developed."
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Drug Court Efficacy vs. Effectiveness / Join Together, 29 Sep 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/features
/reader/0%2C1854%2C574745%2C00.html
Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D.
"More research has been published on the effects of drug courts than on virtually all other interventions for drug-abusing offenders combined. How, then, can the field continue to be in serious dispute about whether drug courts 'work'? How is it possible for some reputable scholars to conclude that the success of drug courts has been definitively established (e.g., Meyer & Ritter, 2002), whereas others insist that drug courts are little more than a sham perpetuated by irrational believers (e.g., Anderson, 2001; Hoffman, 2002)? "
/reader/0%2C1854%2C574745%2C00.html
Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D.
"More research has been published on the effects of drug courts than on virtually all other interventions for drug-abusing offenders combined. How, then, can the field continue to be in serious dispute about whether drug courts 'work'? How is it possible for some reputable scholars to conclude that the success of drug courts has been definitively established (e.g., Meyer & Ritter, 2002), whereas others insist that drug courts are little more than a sham perpetuated by irrational believers (e.g., Anderson, 2001; Hoffman, 2002)? "
e-Borders will fence UK & use IT to track and identify passengers PublicTechnology. 30 Sep 2004
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1831
"e-Borders is a cross-cutting initiative co-ordinated by the Home Office in partnership with key border control, law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The e-Borders system will identify people who have boarded transport destined for the UK, check them automatically against databases of individuals who pose a security risk, and keep a simple electronic record of entry into the country. The system will also enable authorities to record people leaving the UK, helping to identify those who overstay. "
"e-Borders is a cross-cutting initiative co-ordinated by the Home Office in partnership with key border control, law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The e-Borders system will identify people who have boarded transport destined for the UK, check them automatically against databases of individuals who pose a security risk, and keep a simple electronic record of entry into the country. The system will also enable authorities to record people leaving the UK, helping to identify those who overstay. "
Blair's Britain vies with US in ID snoop wars / The Register, 29 Sep 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/29/uk_intros_semaphore_capps_uk/
John Lettice
"The government is taking the 'collar the lot' approach, and intends to extend the scheme to encompass everybody travelling into and out of the UK. And some - this particular pilot, Semaphore, is intended as a component of the projected e-Borders programme, which is envisaged as linking the Foreign Office, the Home Office, the Department for Work and Pensions, Immigration and Nationality, Customs & Excise, the Passport Service and of course, the biometric ID card. From that list the borders in e-Borders would seem to extend quite a distance inland."
John Lettice
"The government is taking the 'collar the lot' approach, and intends to extend the scheme to encompass everybody travelling into and out of the UK. And some - this particular pilot, Semaphore, is intended as a component of the projected e-Borders programme, which is envisaged as linking the Foreign Office, the Home Office, the Department for Work and Pensions, Immigration and Nationality, Customs & Excise, the Passport Service and of course, the biometric ID card. From that list the borders in e-Borders would seem to extend quite a distance inland."
Canadian youth homicide rate rose in 2003 / CBC News, 29 Sep 2004
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/09/29/canadahomicides040929.html"Most of Canada's key homicide statistics continued to fall in 2003, but a reverse came in the youth homicide rate, which rose above the previous 10-year average.
According to Statistics Canada, 57 youths aged 12 to 17 years were accused of homicide in 2003. That's 15 more than in 2002, and eight more than the 10-year average. The youth homicide rate had generally been declining between 1995 and 2001.
There was little explanation of this worrisome reversal, which stood out among the other major categories looked at by Canada's statistics office. "
According to Statistics Canada, 57 youths aged 12 to 17 years were accused of homicide in 2003. That's 15 more than in 2002, and eight more than the 10-year average. The youth homicide rate had generally been declining between 1995 and 2001.
There was little explanation of this worrisome reversal, which stood out among the other major categories looked at by Canada's statistics office. "
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Breaking the Links Between Drugs and Crime / Scotsman, 28 Sep 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3557297
"A renewed Government drive to break the links between drugs and crime was announced by the Prime Minister today with a radical extension of drug testing for offenders and new powers to deal with drug dealers.
New laws will be introduced to enable the police to test those arrested for a trigger offence for Class A drugs on arrest rather than on charge, and introduce mandatory assessment for suspects who test positive.
Powers to ensure that drug dealers who swallow their drugs to avoid detection do not slip through the net will also be introduced.
The changes will make the Government’s flagship Drug Intervention Programme – which targets drug-using offenders to get them off drugs, into treatment and away from crime – even more effective. The programme is working to break the links between drugs and crime."
"A renewed Government drive to break the links between drugs and crime was announced by the Prime Minister today with a radical extension of drug testing for offenders and new powers to deal with drug dealers.
New laws will be introduced to enable the police to test those arrested for a trigger offence for Class A drugs on arrest rather than on charge, and introduce mandatory assessment for suspects who test positive.
Powers to ensure that drug dealers who swallow their drugs to avoid detection do not slip through the net will also be introduced.
The changes will make the Government’s flagship Drug Intervention Programme – which targets drug-using offenders to get them off drugs, into treatment and away from crime – even more effective. The programme is working to break the links between drugs and crime."
Deported to Danger : What happens to Australia's rejected asylum seekers? / Edmund Rice Centre, Sep 2004
http://www.erc.org.au/research/pdf/1096416029.pdf
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
The Art of Happiness - Is volunteering the blueprint for bliss? / ESRC, 20 Sep 2004
http://www.esrc.ac.uk/esrccontent/news/september04-2.asp
"New research indicates that helping others raises quality of life for British Citizens.
When we volunteer our time to do something for others, such as helping out an elderly neighbour or taking part in a local community project, it can be good news for our health, our children's education and even reduce the local crime rate too.
Recent research funded by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) has revealed that people who live in areas that record high levels of informal voluntary activity in their neighbourhood, also enjoy better health, students achieve higher GCSE grades and their communities suffer fewer burglaries."
"New research indicates that helping others raises quality of life for British Citizens.
When we volunteer our time to do something for others, such as helping out an elderly neighbour or taking part in a local community project, it can be good news for our health, our children's education and even reduce the local crime rate too.
Recent research funded by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) has revealed that people who live in areas that record high levels of informal voluntary activity in their neighbourhood, also enjoy better health, students achieve higher GCSE grades and their communities suffer fewer burglaries."
When You Say 'KM,' What Do You Mean? / - CIO, 21 Sep 2004
http://www2.cio.com/analyst/report2931.html
Laurie M. Orlov
"The rubric of knowledge management is as vague and hyped today as business process re-engineering was during the 1990s. Too broad to be meaningful, too encompassing for projects to be successful, and too subject to interpretation by vendors and consultants to be easily purchased, managed, or finished in anything less than a year. Instead of continuing to hold onto the term, firms should step back and examine their requirements with a set of questions that will help them focus on specific business processes and problems, forge actionable strategies, and create projects that have clear objectives and fixed scope."
Laurie M. Orlov
"The rubric of knowledge management is as vague and hyped today as business process re-engineering was during the 1990s. Too broad to be meaningful, too encompassing for projects to be successful, and too subject to interpretation by vendors and consultants to be easily purchased, managed, or finished in anything less than a year. Instead of continuing to hold onto the term, firms should step back and examine their requirements with a set of questions that will help them focus on specific business processes and problems, forge actionable strategies, and create projects that have clear objectives and fixed scope."
Microsoft unveils future technical visions, including biometric ID cards /: PublicTechnology, 28 Sep 2004
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1818
"At the Microsoft Research and Innovation Fair last week in Brussels, the It giant showcased a number of innovations under development by scientists in the company's global research labs and with partners throughout Europe.
A key technology unveiled was a tamper-resistant biometric identification card system which is claimed to provide a cryptographically secure ID card that can be easily deployed at low cost. It should be of great interest to the Home Secretary David Blunkett, as the concept is a key cornerstone to his visions of e-Government tied down by ID cards. "
Tamper Resistant Biometric Identification by Suzanne Ross - http://research.microsoft.com/displayArticle.aspx?id=428&pf=true
Tamper Resistant Biometric ID Fact Sheet : The Challenge - http://research.microsoft.com/aboutmsr/presskit/Biometric_ID_Cards.aspx
"At the Microsoft Research and Innovation Fair last week in Brussels, the It giant showcased a number of innovations under development by scientists in the company's global research labs and with partners throughout Europe.
A key technology unveiled was a tamper-resistant biometric identification card system which is claimed to provide a cryptographically secure ID card that can be easily deployed at low cost. It should be of great interest to the Home Secretary David Blunkett, as the concept is a key cornerstone to his visions of e-Government tied down by ID cards. "
Tamper Resistant Biometric Identification by Suzanne Ross - http://research.microsoft.com/displayArticle.aspx?id=428&pf=true
Tamper Resistant Biometric ID Fact Sheet : The Challenge - http://research.microsoft.com/aboutmsr/presskit/Biometric_ID_Cards.aspx
Post offices take on police role / BBC NEWS, 27 Sep 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/3691624.stm
"People will able to report crimes to the police at their local post office in a pilot scheme which starts in Norfolk on Monday.
Eight post offices will help improve public access to the police through a 24-hour phone link.
In addition, post office staff will be able to check driving documents, handle lost property and give out leaflets.
The scheme, which will run for six months, will also allow people to visit police officers at the post office. "
"People will able to report crimes to the police at their local post office in a pilot scheme which starts in Norfolk on Monday.
Eight post offices will help improve public access to the police through a 24-hour phone link.
In addition, post office staff will be able to check driving documents, handle lost property and give out leaflets.
The scheme, which will run for six months, will also allow people to visit police officers at the post office. "
Credit fraud has moved from petty to high-tech / Toronto Star, 23 Sep 2004
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/
ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid
=1095891010769&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
STUART LAIDLAW
"PINs and chips are next weapons; cammers costing firms millions. Credit card fraud has come a long way from somebody lifting your wallet and using your cards, and both the costs and the stakes of the crimes have become much bigger, the president of Visa Canada says.
'There are hidden costs to this crime,' Derek Fry told the Economic Club of Toronto's breakfast meeting yesterday.
And it's those hidden costs that should concern people, he added.
Credit card fraud, which totalled $115 million in Canada for Visa alone last year, has come a long way from petty thieves running up bills on stolen cards. It is now an international crime involving gangs, organized crime and terrorists, Fry said.
'Funding sources are what criminal gangs and terrorist groups are all about,' Fry said. 'And they're not fussy about who they take the money from.'"
ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid
=1095891010769&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
STUART LAIDLAW
"PINs and chips are next weapons; cammers costing firms millions. Credit card fraud has come a long way from somebody lifting your wallet and using your cards, and both the costs and the stakes of the crimes have become much bigger, the president of Visa Canada says.
'There are hidden costs to this crime,' Derek Fry told the Economic Club of Toronto's breakfast meeting yesterday.
And it's those hidden costs that should concern people, he added.
Credit card fraud, which totalled $115 million in Canada for Visa alone last year, has come a long way from petty thieves running up bills on stolen cards. It is now an international crime involving gangs, organized crime and terrorists, Fry said.
'Funding sources are what criminal gangs and terrorist groups are all about,' Fry said. 'And they're not fussy about who they take the money from.'"
Crims join hands to rake in profit / [Australia] Herald Sun, [28 Sep 2004
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,10900022%5E661,00.html
Keith Moor
"RIVAL crime gangs are putting their feuds aside in their quest for vast illegal profits.
Intelligence gathered by the Australian Crime Commission reveals once warring factions are now more interested in making money than fighting.
Gangs with ethnic backgrounds are forming alliances with ethnic groups that were former enemies.
The trend emerged during a worldwide intelligence trawl by the commission as it compiled a national criminal threat assessment that identifies many of Australia's Mr Bigs and their associates.
It provides details of long-established underworld bosses as well as younger criminals keen to muscle in on the action. "
Keith Moor
"RIVAL crime gangs are putting their feuds aside in their quest for vast illegal profits.
Intelligence gathered by the Australian Crime Commission reveals once warring factions are now more interested in making money than fighting.
Gangs with ethnic backgrounds are forming alliances with ethnic groups that were former enemies.
The trend emerged during a worldwide intelligence trawl by the commission as it compiled a national criminal threat assessment that identifies many of Australia's Mr Bigs and their associates.
It provides details of long-established underworld bosses as well as younger criminals keen to muscle in on the action. "
Calif. Study Examines Effectiveness of Prop. 36 / Join Together, 27 Sep 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0,1854,574729,00.html
"A University of California at Los Angeles study finds that 25 percent of drug offenders in California who elect drug treatment over prison under Proposition 36 complete the program. However, 30 percent of offenders never even start drug treatment, the Sacramento Bee reported Sept. 23.
The controversial program, which took effect in 2001, has had mixed reviews. Supporters of Proposition 36 said it has led 30,000 people to drug treatment for the first time and established a path for future recovery."
The complete Evaluation of the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act 2003 Report is available online at www.uclaisap.org/.
"A University of California at Los Angeles study finds that 25 percent of drug offenders in California who elect drug treatment over prison under Proposition 36 complete the program. However, 30 percent of offenders never even start drug treatment, the Sacramento Bee reported Sept. 23.
The controversial program, which took effect in 2001, has had mixed reviews. Supporters of Proposition 36 said it has led 30,000 people to drug treatment for the first time and established a path for future recovery."
The complete Evaluation of the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act 2003 Report is available online at www.uclaisap.org/.
EU Must Focus on Human Rights Implications of Asylum and Security Policy / Amnesty International, 27 Sep 2004
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news/press/15616.shtml
"Amnesty International�s 24-page document puts forward a wide range of policy proposals on human rights observance in the areas of asylum, immigration, and judicial and police cooperation within the EU. "
More Justice and Freedom to Balance Security: http://www.amnesty-eu.org/static/html/pressrelease.asp?cfid=12&id=209&cat=4
"Amnesty International�s 24-page document puts forward a wide range of policy proposals on human rights observance in the areas of asylum, immigration, and judicial and police cooperation within the EU. "
More Justice and Freedom to Balance Security: http://www.amnesty-eu.org/static/html/pressrelease.asp?cfid=12&id=209&cat=4
EU list cuts off asylum seekers in 10 countries - / Sydeny Morning Herald, 28 ~Sep 2004
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/27/1096137172735.html
"A 'white list' of 10 nations from which asylum applications will be presumed to be false by all European Union countries is to go ahead, despite warnings of human rights violations.
The list of 'safe countries' covers seven African states, including Benin, Botswana, Ghana, Mali and Senegal, as well as Chile, Costa Rica and Uruguay.
The European list is modelled on the British system, which presumes asylum claims from designated 'safe' countries are unfounded and applicants fast-tracked for removal. The system has operated since 1993.
The EU list will form a cornerstone of the new common European asylum policy. Member states can add countries to their national list, but they cannot remove names from the EU list, even on human rights grounds."
"A 'white list' of 10 nations from which asylum applications will be presumed to be false by all European Union countries is to go ahead, despite warnings of human rights violations.
The list of 'safe countries' covers seven African states, including Benin, Botswana, Ghana, Mali and Senegal, as well as Chile, Costa Rica and Uruguay.
The European list is modelled on the British system, which presumes asylum claims from designated 'safe' countries are unfounded and applicants fast-tracked for removal. The system has operated since 1993.
The EU list will form a cornerstone of the new common European asylum policy. Member states can add countries to their national list, but they cannot remove names from the EU list, even on human rights grounds."
The Draft European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings must be strengthened Amnesty International, 27 Sep 2004
http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGIOR300222004
"Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International are among more than 100 NGOs from Europe and beyond who are calling on the 45 Council of Europe Member states to enhance the protection of the human rights of trafficked persons. The call comes as the Ad Hoc Committee on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, (a group of government-representatives from the 45 Council of Europe member states, known as 'CAHTEH') begins its penultimate meeting in Strasbourg, France on 28 September, to draft a European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings.
The number of people in the Council of Europe region who are affected by this contemporary form of slavery has increased dramatically over the last decade."
PDF Draft doc.: http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGIOR300222004/$FILE/newsrelease.pdf
"Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International are among more than 100 NGOs from Europe and beyond who are calling on the 45 Council of Europe Member states to enhance the protection of the human rights of trafficked persons. The call comes as the Ad Hoc Committee on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, (a group of government-representatives from the 45 Council of Europe member states, known as 'CAHTEH') begins its penultimate meeting in Strasbourg, France on 28 September, to draft a European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings.
The number of people in the Council of Europe region who are affected by this contemporary form of slavery has increased dramatically over the last decade."
PDF Draft doc.: http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGIOR300222004/$FILE/newsrelease.pdf
Monday, September 27, 2004
A Prisoner’s Purpose / [USA] Kenneth Hartman, Sep 2004
http://www.powerofpurpose.org/winners/printer_hartman.html
"Six years after conception, and almost four years after implementation, the results have been impressive. There have only been a couple of incidents when the opposition managed to slip some ringers into our midst; no guards assaulted, no mass uprisings or riots or strikes. (No small feat in a state prison system that is, literally, in a meltdown, with uprisings and riots and strikes happening daily in other prisons.) A flourishing culture of positive energy that includes lowering of racial barriers and a growing sense of ownership. New arrivals are advised by other prisoners that this is a good thing, so don�t screw it up. There is even optimism; just a bit, because prisoners tend to be the most pessimistic people in the world. More fundamentally, there is a sense of possibility, of expectation."
"Six years after conception, and almost four years after implementation, the results have been impressive. There have only been a couple of incidents when the opposition managed to slip some ringers into our midst; no guards assaulted, no mass uprisings or riots or strikes. (No small feat in a state prison system that is, literally, in a meltdown, with uprisings and riots and strikes happening daily in other prisons.) A flourishing culture of positive energy that includes lowering of racial barriers and a growing sense of ownership. New arrivals are advised by other prisoners that this is a good thing, so don�t screw it up. There is even optimism; just a bit, because prisoners tend to be the most pessimistic people in the world. More fundamentally, there is a sense of possibility, of expectation."
Hi-tech has police on alert / Toronto Star, 27 Sep 2004
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?
pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1096236608762&call
_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News&pubid=9681
63964505&StarSource=email
DENE MOORE
"Cellphones, Internet put new twist on crime; RCMP report focuses on rise of `flash mobs'. Easy access and advances in everyday technology such as cellphones and text-messaging are putting police on the alert.
That was the message contained in an internal RCMP report obtained by Canadian Press using Access to Information legislation.
'As a communication device in both voice and electronic text-based format, the cellphone's ubiquity in the general public becomes a phenomenon to be reckoned with,' says the criminal intelligence brief prepared in March.
In Britain, the report says, police have confiscated mobile phones from people demonstrating against the war in Iraq.
'The (British) police are cracking down on activists who come equipped with mobiles ? and are apparently empowered to do so' under provisions of anti-terrorism laws brought in after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the report notes."
pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1096236608762&call
_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News&pubid=9681
63964505&StarSource=email
DENE MOORE
"Cellphones, Internet put new twist on crime; RCMP report focuses on rise of `flash mobs'. Easy access and advances in everyday technology such as cellphones and text-messaging are putting police on the alert.
That was the message contained in an internal RCMP report obtained by Canadian Press using Access to Information legislation.
'As a communication device in both voice and electronic text-based format, the cellphone's ubiquity in the general public becomes a phenomenon to be reckoned with,' says the criminal intelligence brief prepared in March.
In Britain, the report says, police have confiscated mobile phones from people demonstrating against the war in Iraq.
'The (British) police are cracking down on activists who come equipped with mobiles ? and are apparently empowered to do so' under provisions of anti-terrorism laws brought in after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the report notes."
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Society 'failing' youths with antisocial behaviour / The Times & The Sunday Times, Malta, 26 Sep 2004
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=165309
Ariadne Massa
"The Commissioner for Children, Sonia Camilleri, feels society is failing young people with antisocial behaviour and it is crucial for all professionals concerned to come together to set up a specialised programme to steer them clear from a life of crime.
'We have hundreds of young people in schools who are at risk of a 'criminal career' and we need to focus more energy and resources on these problems,' she pointed out.
Mrs Camilleri cited as an example the lack of counselling services in schools and the great need for more psychologists and family therapists to guide these young people."
Ariadne Massa
"The Commissioner for Children, Sonia Camilleri, feels society is failing young people with antisocial behaviour and it is crucial for all professionals concerned to come together to set up a specialised programme to steer them clear from a life of crime.
'We have hundreds of young people in schools who are at risk of a 'criminal career' and we need to focus more energy and resources on these problems,' she pointed out.
Mrs Camilleri cited as an example the lack of counselling services in schools and the great need for more psychologists and family therapists to guide these young people."
5-year battle plan on gangland crime - / [Australia] Age, 25 Sep 2004
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/25/1095961911373.html?oneclick=true
Jason Dowling
"Victoria Police is set for a complete overhaul in line with recommendations formulated at last month's organised-crime workshop in Melbourne.
The five-year blueprint aims to help police better combat such crime, the Police Minister and senior police have indicated.
The changes coincide with the development of a comprehensive new police act for Victoria.
Detective Superintendent Richard Grant, head of the organised-crime investigation division, said few areas of the force would be exempt from the proposed changes.
Police Minister Andre Haermeyer said the reforms would 'ultimately be a pretty radical shift in attitudes, in culture and in organisational structure'. "
Jason Dowling
"Victoria Police is set for a complete overhaul in line with recommendations formulated at last month's organised-crime workshop in Melbourne.
The five-year blueprint aims to help police better combat such crime, the Police Minister and senior police have indicated.
The changes coincide with the development of a comprehensive new police act for Victoria.
Detective Superintendent Richard Grant, head of the organised-crime investigation division, said few areas of the force would be exempt from the proposed changes.
Police Minister Andre Haermeyer said the reforms would 'ultimately be a pretty radical shift in attitudes, in culture and in organisational structure'. "
Gangs use legitimate companies to hide drug dealing / STUFF New Zealand, 25 Sep 2004
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3045418a10,00.html
"Gangs are hiding behind legitimate companies to help them go about their true business � dealing drugs, Tauranga police say.
At least five Bay of Plenty businesses have been linked to gangs in an apparent bid to hide unlawful activities.
The change is part of what police say is a shifting face of gang activity that has seen muscle-cars and motorbikes give way to family saloons.
Police say gang members are avoiding the 'in-your- face' stance of patches and loud bikes in favour of suits and businesses.
There are also growing signs that they are choosing to co-operate at a high level to further their criminal gains rather than battle over turf and fight gang ways.
The head of Tauranga's CIB, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner, said gangs were 'working smarter' and drawing less attention to themselves so it was easier to go about their crooked ways � predominantly drug dealing. "
"Gangs are hiding behind legitimate companies to help them go about their true business � dealing drugs, Tauranga police say.
At least five Bay of Plenty businesses have been linked to gangs in an apparent bid to hide unlawful activities.
The change is part of what police say is a shifting face of gang activity that has seen muscle-cars and motorbikes give way to family saloons.
Police say gang members are avoiding the 'in-your- face' stance of patches and loud bikes in favour of suits and businesses.
There are also growing signs that they are choosing to co-operate at a high level to further their criminal gains rather than battle over turf and fight gang ways.
The head of Tauranga's CIB, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner, said gangs were 'working smarter' and drawing less attention to themselves so it was easier to go about their crooked ways � predominantly drug dealing. "
Saturday, September 25, 2004
OSCE/ODIHR conference in Helsinki calls for wider co-operation to assist victims of trafficking / OSCE, 24 Sep 2004
http://www.osce.org/news/show_news.php?id=4392
"A two-day conference on protection of victims of trafficking concluded today by adopting a set of recommendations which will serve as a basis for future work of OSCE States in combating trafficking. "
"A two-day conference on protection of victims of trafficking concluded today by adopting a set of recommendations which will serve as a basis for future work of OSCE States in combating trafficking. "
An examination of 3-Strike Laws 10 years after their Enactment / Justice Policy Institute, Sep 2004
http://www.justicepolicy.org/downloads/JPIOUTOFSTEPREPORTFNL.doc
Eric Lotke, Jason Colburn & Vincent Schiraldi
Eric Lotke, Jason Colburn & Vincent Schiraldi
EU to study transit sites in Libya for immigrants / International Herald tribune, 24 Sep 2004
http://www.iht.com/articles/540250.html
"Proposal by Italy and Germany gains despite opposition. Germany and Italy are pressing ahead with plans for setting up holding centers in North Africa for would-be immigrants to the European Union, despite sharp opposition from other EU countries and the United Nations, politicians and diplomats said Thursday.
.
The proposals, which for the moment envisage siting the transit camps in Libya, will be thrashed out next week during a meeting of EU justice and interior ministers in the Netherlands.
.
Despite strong reservations from some quarters, the idea is 'gaining ground,' an EU diplomat said.
.
'Austria, Britain, Germany and Italy are pushing for it,' said the diplomat, who asked not to be identified. 'Spain has still to make up its mind after supporting it until the Socialist government was elected. France and Sweden are against it.'
.
At the headquarters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva, a spokesman said Thursday that the proposals could lead to 'sealing off Europe' to asylum seekers.
.
As it happens, the push to set up camps outside Europe has coincided with a drop in asylum applications in EU countries. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees recently reported that average monthly asylum applications had reached their lowest level since 1997, while in Germany the number of applications during the first half of this year, 18,500, represented the lowest monthly rate since 1990. More than 50,000 people applied for asylum in Germany last year.
.
In Berlin, the idea of setting up camps has triggered a sharp debate, with Interior Minister Otto Schily struggling to convince even his own governing Social Democrats, and their Green party coalition partners, that the plans are feasible.
.
Schily wa"
"Proposal by Italy and Germany gains despite opposition. Germany and Italy are pressing ahead with plans for setting up holding centers in North Africa for would-be immigrants to the European Union, despite sharp opposition from other EU countries and the United Nations, politicians and diplomats said Thursday.
.
The proposals, which for the moment envisage siting the transit camps in Libya, will be thrashed out next week during a meeting of EU justice and interior ministers in the Netherlands.
.
Despite strong reservations from some quarters, the idea is 'gaining ground,' an EU diplomat said.
.
'Austria, Britain, Germany and Italy are pushing for it,' said the diplomat, who asked not to be identified. 'Spain has still to make up its mind after supporting it until the Socialist government was elected. France and Sweden are against it.'
.
At the headquarters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva, a spokesman said Thursday that the proposals could lead to 'sealing off Europe' to asylum seekers.
.
As it happens, the push to set up camps outside Europe has coincided with a drop in asylum applications in EU countries. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees recently reported that average monthly asylum applications had reached their lowest level since 1997, while in Germany the number of applications during the first half of this year, 18,500, represented the lowest monthly rate since 1990. More than 50,000 people applied for asylum in Germany last year.
.
In Berlin, the idea of setting up camps has triggered a sharp debate, with Interior Minister Otto Schily struggling to convince even his own governing Social Democrats, and their Green party coalition partners, that the plans are feasible.
.
Schily wa"
U.S. Says Canada's Marijuana Laws Could Encourage Organized Crime / Join Together, 24 Sep 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0%2C1854%2C574704%2C00.html
"The White House's annual report on countries with drug problems criticizes Canada for its relaxed penalties against marijuana producers and the country's move towards decriminalization, the Canadian Press reported Sept. 18.
Although Canada isn't among the 22 major illegal-drug producing and transit countries, the report says that Canada's current attitude towards marijuana could be an 'invitation' to organized crime and hampers police and prosecutors."
"The White House's annual report on countries with drug problems criticizes Canada for its relaxed penalties against marijuana producers and the country's move towards decriminalization, the Canadian Press reported Sept. 18.
Although Canada isn't among the 22 major illegal-drug producing and transit countries, the report says that Canada's current attitude towards marijuana could be an 'invitation' to organized crime and hampers police and prosecutors."
Chicago Mayor Backs Reduced Marijuana Possession Charges / Join Together, 24 Sep 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0%2C1854%2C574703%2C00.html
"Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has proposed fines rather than criminal charges for possession of small amounts of marijuana, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sept. 21.
Daley said the proposal would free up police officers' time, since 99 percent of possession cases are dismissed.
'If 99 percent of the cases are all thrown out, and you have a police officer going -- why? Why do we arrest the individual, seize the marijuana, go to court and they're all thrown out? It costs you a lot of money for that. It costs you a lot of money for police officers to go to court,' said Daley."
"Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has proposed fines rather than criminal charges for possession of small amounts of marijuana, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sept. 21.
Daley said the proposal would free up police officers' time, since 99 percent of possession cases are dismissed.
'If 99 percent of the cases are all thrown out, and you have a police officer going -- why? Why do we arrest the individual, seize the marijuana, go to court and they're all thrown out? It costs you a lot of money for that. It costs you a lot of money for police officers to go to court,' said Daley."
Friday, September 24, 2004
"The Cannabis Cautioning Scheme Three Years On: An Implementation and Outcome Evalaution / [Australia] Lawlink NSW:
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/bocsar1.nsf/pages/r54textlink
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Sep 2004
"Under the scheme, which was established following a recommendation of the NSW Drug Summit, police were given the discretion to caution rather than charge adults detected for minor cannabis offences.
Offenders can receive up to two cautions under the scheme. They are also provided with information on the consequences of cannabis use, and access to treatment and support services. In September 2001 a mandatory education session on cannabis use was introduced for anyone receiving a second caution."
PDF: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/bocsar1.nsf/files/r54.pdf/$file/r54.pdf
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Sep 2004
"Under the scheme, which was established following a recommendation of the NSW Drug Summit, police were given the discretion to caution rather than charge adults detected for minor cannabis offences.
Offenders can receive up to two cautions under the scheme. They are also provided with information on the consequences of cannabis use, and access to treatment and support services. In September 2001 a mandatory education session on cannabis use was introduced for anyone receiving a second caution."
PDF: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/bocsar1.nsf/files/r54.pdf/$file/r54.pdf
Helping Victims of Human Trafficking / Deutsche Welle, 22 Sep 2004
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1335876,00.html
Iris Ollech
"Dreams of a better life often end in a brothel for the victims of human trafficking, with the people smugglers and slave traders who bring them there making a lucrative living from their misery.
Protecting trafficking victims' human rights in destination countries before and after they get away is one of the topics the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is looking at during a human trafficking conference beginning in Helsinki on Thursday."
Iris Ollech
"Dreams of a better life often end in a brothel for the victims of human trafficking, with the people smugglers and slave traders who bring them there making a lucrative living from their misery.
Protecting trafficking victims' human rights in destination countries before and after they get away is one of the topics the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is looking at during a human trafficking conference beginning in Helsinki on Thursday."
Police Still Shoot to Kill, Says Report / [South Africa:] Business Day, 23 Sep 2004
http://allafrica.com/stories/200409230243.html
Wyndham Hartley
"Confused' officers kill 360 in a year. A five-year delay in implementing new rules governing the use of lethal force by the South African Police Service has contributed to the high number of deaths by shooting at the hands of police, the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has reported.
Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act allowed police to shoot fleeing suspects regardless of the severity of the crime they were suspected of having committed. It was scrapped by Parliament in 1998 and replaced with a provision that specifies police may only shoot when lives are in danger.
But the police stonewalled the new law for five years and it only came into effect in October last year, halfway through the period under review in the report. The ICD's finding that the police have continued to shoot fleeing suspects could make the safety and security department vulnerable to civil claims ."
Wyndham Hartley
"Confused' officers kill 360 in a year. A five-year delay in implementing new rules governing the use of lethal force by the South African Police Service has contributed to the high number of deaths by shooting at the hands of police, the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has reported.
Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act allowed police to shoot fleeing suspects regardless of the severity of the crime they were suspected of having committed. It was scrapped by Parliament in 1998 and replaced with a provision that specifies police may only shoot when lives are in danger.
But the police stonewalled the new law for five years and it only came into effect in October last year, halfway through the period under review in the report. The ICD's finding that the police have continued to shoot fleeing suspects could make the safety and security department vulnerable to civil claims ."
Top Tips for Putting Crime Out of Business / Scotsman, 23 Sep 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3535759
"A series of postcards which provide 'top tips' on crime prevention for the business community have been launched by the Home Office today.
The 'Putting Crime out of Business', postcards provide step-by-step advice and top tips for all types of business on how to protect their staff from violence, tackle anti-social behaviour, protect their stock and prevent fraud."
"A series of postcards which provide 'top tips' on crime prevention for the business community have been launched by the Home Office today.
The 'Putting Crime out of Business', postcards provide step-by-step advice and top tips for all types of business on how to protect their staff from violence, tackle anti-social behaviour, protect their stock and prevent fraud."
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Restorative Practices at Community Prep High School in New York City / [USA] Restoratvie Justice Online, Sep 2004
http://fp.enter.net/restorativepractices/communityprep.pdf
Laura Mirsky
"The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP), via its
SaferSanerSchools program, has collaborated to implement restorative practices at a New York City public school for young people just out of juvenile detention."
Laura Mirsky
"The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP), via its
SaferSanerSchools program, has collaborated to implement restorative practices at a New York City public school for young people just out of juvenile detention."
Harsher punishments for crimes in Estonia? / The Baltic Times, 22 Sep 2004
http://www.baltictimes.com/art.php?art_id=10966
Jaan Ginter
"In spite of the fact that there have been several arguments put forth to demonstrate that the concurrence of the trends in the U.S.A. does not prove any causal relation between them, the idea that increasing the severity of prison sentences can be an effective means of crime prevention has found new adherents in many countries, including Estonia.
Getting tougher on criminals is currently part of Estonia's government policy; the coalition agreement between the parties who support the incumbent government has a separate chapter on "efficient penal policy corresponding to the public perception of justic." "
Jaan Ginter
"In spite of the fact that there have been several arguments put forth to demonstrate that the concurrence of the trends in the U.S.A. does not prove any causal relation between them, the idea that increasing the severity of prison sentences can be an effective means of crime prevention has found new adherents in many countries, including Estonia.
Getting tougher on criminals is currently part of Estonia's government policy; the coalition agreement between the parties who support the incumbent government has a separate chapter on "efficient penal policy corresponding to the public perception of justic." "
Urban violence, public safety policies and responses / [Brazil] Vear Publications, Sep 2004
http://www.vera.org/publications/
forward.asp?publication=urban_violence_public_safety_policies_and_
responses_from_civil_society&bulletin=31&token=1262
Julita Lemgruber and Sylvia Ramos
"Analyse the extraordinary rates of gun violence and homicide in Brazil today and describe how nonprofit organizations are intervening to reduce the killing. The authors show how the killing is concentrated among young adults, particularly black youth, in the shanty towns known as favelas of only a few states. Here the death rate exceeds that of familiar war zones, but because of the powerlessness of the victims, state and national governments have been slow to act. The authors also describe how nonprofit organizations have intervened: mobilizing mass demonstrations, advising governments on specific strategies, successfully lobbying for gun control, and working to build a new culture of peace among young people in poor neighborhoods"
forward.asp?publication=urban_violence_public_safety_policies_and_
responses_from_civil_society&bulletin=31&token=1262
Julita Lemgruber and Sylvia Ramos
"Analyse the extraordinary rates of gun violence and homicide in Brazil today and describe how nonprofit organizations are intervening to reduce the killing. The authors show how the killing is concentrated among young adults, particularly black youth, in the shanty towns known as favelas of only a few states. Here the death rate exceeds that of familiar war zones, but because of the powerlessness of the victims, state and national governments have been slow to act. The authors also describe how nonprofit organizations have intervened: mobilizing mass demonstrations, advising governments on specific strategies, successfully lobbying for gun control, and working to build a new culture of peace among young people in poor neighborhoods"
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Five countries establish a European paramilitary police force / Statewatch, 21 Sep 2004
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/sep/06para-military.htm
"Five countries establish a European paramilitary police force -
What will be its "rules of engagement"? What lines of accountability
for its actions are there to be?"
"Five countries establish a European paramilitary police force -
What will be its "rules of engagement"? What lines of accountability
for its actions are there to be?"
Big rise in rehab for child sex offenders / Stuff New Zealand, 22 Sep 2004
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3040726a11,00.html
DEBORAH DIAZ
Tougher sentencing and parole laws have led to a surge in the number of child sex offenders seeking rehabilitation. Auckland Prison's Te Piriti special treatment unit, one of two New Zealand units running programmes for child sex abusers, is fully booked for the next 18 months. The unit at Paremoremo used to have to actively seek out inmates to fill 60 places.
Rehabilitation works, according to evaluations. Only about 5.75 per cent of Te Piriti's graduates reoffend, and the rate is even lower among Maori, at 4.7 per cent.
In other words, only one in 20 inmates will abuse another child. This rises to one in five, if abusers do not undergo a programme.
DEBORAH DIAZ
Tougher sentencing and parole laws have led to a surge in the number of child sex offenders seeking rehabilitation. Auckland Prison's Te Piriti special treatment unit, one of two New Zealand units running programmes for child sex abusers, is fully booked for the next 18 months. The unit at Paremoremo used to have to actively seek out inmates to fill 60 places.
Rehabilitation works, according to evaluations. Only about 5.75 per cent of Te Piriti's graduates reoffend, and the rate is even lower among Maori, at 4.7 per cent.
In other words, only one in 20 inmates will abuse another child. This rises to one in five, if abusers do not undergo a programme.
Crime stats: 1m+ arrested / [South AFrica] News24, 21 Sep 2004
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1593009,00.html
Edited by Tisha Steyn
"Just more than a million people were arrested in South Africa in the past financial year - 445 779 of them for serious and violent crimes, according to the SA Police Service's annual report released this week.
A total of 35 248 lost and stolen firearms and 34 055 stolen and robbed vehicles were recovered."
Annual Report 2004 - http://www.saps.gov.za/saps_profile/strategic_framework/annual_report/index.htm
Annual Report 2004 - http://www.saps.gov.za/statistics/reports/crimestats/2004/crime_stats.htm
Edited by Tisha Steyn
"Just more than a million people were arrested in South Africa in the past financial year - 445 779 of them for serious and violent crimes, according to the SA Police Service's annual report released this week.
A total of 35 248 lost and stolen firearms and 34 055 stolen and robbed vehicles were recovered."
Annual Report 2004 - http://www.saps.gov.za/saps_profile/strategic_framework/annual_report/index.htm
Annual Report 2004 - http://www.saps.gov.za/statistics/reports/crimestats/2004/crime_stats.htm
Sentencing in Pakistan / Hi Pakistaon, 22 Sep 2004
Muhammad Kamran Sheikh
"Traditionally the modern states have operated their systems of criminal law by proscribing the conduct serious enough to be blamed and condemned and by prescribing punishment for such blameworthy conduct. What conduct should be regarded as blameworthy enough to be labelled as crime and appropriateness of the nature and quantum of sentence for such conduct have been questions of serious debate for sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists, historians, political scientists and jurists who have been exploring the nature, essence, justification (political, moral and legal), scope, function and impact thereof. This has given rise to various theories and perspectives on crimes and sentences.
Unfortunately, though, there are no comprehensive sentencing guidelines to be followed by the courts in Pakistan while dealing with an offender held guilty of an offence."
"Traditionally the modern states have operated their systems of criminal law by proscribing the conduct serious enough to be blamed and condemned and by prescribing punishment for such blameworthy conduct. What conduct should be regarded as blameworthy enough to be labelled as crime and appropriateness of the nature and quantum of sentence for such conduct have been questions of serious debate for sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists, historians, political scientists and jurists who have been exploring the nature, essence, justification (political, moral and legal), scope, function and impact thereof. This has given rise to various theories and perspectives on crimes and sentences.
Unfortunately, though, there are no comprehensive sentencing guidelines to be followed by the courts in Pakistan while dealing with an offender held guilty of an offence."
Program 'changes' young offenders / Miami Herald, 21 Sep 2004
KATHLEEN FORDYCE
"The Gate Program for Juvenile Weapon Offenders does not waste time lecturing boys about their mistakes, but instead shows them the reality of gun violence. The Gate Program is a diversionary program and a harsh reality lesson for boys, ages 11 to 17, who are first- or second-time weapons offenders.
Instead of classroom lectures, the program specializes in truths.
At Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, participants learn what life might be like if they're shot, dealing with catheters and pain and uncontrollable bodily functions.
At a rape treatment center, they learn about prison rape, and some students take turns placing their feet in stirrups on an examining table as a nurse explains the check-up process after a male sexual assault occurs in prison."
"The Gate Program for Juvenile Weapon Offenders does not waste time lecturing boys about their mistakes, but instead shows them the reality of gun violence. The Gate Program is a diversionary program and a harsh reality lesson for boys, ages 11 to 17, who are first- or second-time weapons offenders.
Instead of classroom lectures, the program specializes in truths.
At Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, participants learn what life might be like if they're shot, dealing with catheters and pain and uncontrollable bodily functions.
At a rape treatment center, they learn about prison rape, and some students take turns placing their feet in stirrups on an examining table as a nurse explains the check-up process after a male sexual assault occurs in prison."
Where the grass ain't greener / Expatica Netherlands, 22 Sep 2004
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=58&story_id=12042&name=Where+the+grass+ain't+greener
Marie-Laure Josselin
"The debate about how to deal with juvenile delinquency goes on and on. But one French re-education project has succeeded in awakening problem kids who’ve run off the straight and narrow to the real opportunities they still have. Compared, that is, to those growing up in Africa."
Marie-Laure Josselin
"The debate about how to deal with juvenile delinquency goes on and on. But one French re-education project has succeeded in awakening problem kids who’ve run off the straight and narrow to the real opportunities they still have. Compared, that is, to those growing up in Africa."
Tough new message for repeat offenders / IC Birmingham, 21Sep 2004
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_objectid=14667614&method=full&siteid=50002&headline=tough-new-message-for-repeat-offenders-name_page.html
Mark Cowan
"Prolific offenders behind a tidal wave of crimes are being targeted by a series of police warning messages — direct to their mobile phones.
Police are to text the city’s most persistent crooks with details of the latest blitz to nab career crooks committing the majority of crimes.
From today, their mobiles will be beeping with the text message: “West Midlands Police are targeting hard core offenders under Operation Headway. Last week we arrested 52 of our top crooks. This week we intend to arrest more.”
Mark Cowan
"Prolific offenders behind a tidal wave of crimes are being targeted by a series of police warning messages — direct to their mobile phones.
Police are to text the city’s most persistent crooks with details of the latest blitz to nab career crooks committing the majority of crimes.
From today, their mobiles will be beeping with the text message: “West Midlands Police are targeting hard core offenders under Operation Headway. Last week we arrested 52 of our top crooks. This week we intend to arrest more.”
New South Wales Criminal Court Statistics 2003
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/bocsar1.nsf/pages/courtstatsindex
Home Office stacking the decks in ID scheme pilot? / The Register, 21 Sep 2004
http://go.theregister.com/news/2004/09/21/id_pilot_survey_doubts/
John Lettice
"Call us suspicious-minded, but we feel sure that at some point in the very near future the UK Home Office will announce that the biometric identity system pilot scheme currently running has been a success, and that the response from participants has been positive. This might seem a remarkable achievement, under the circumstances, considering that there have been numerous reports of technical glitches and an underwhelming response to the pilot, but The Register has received indications that the Home Office has taken the precaution of loading the dice.
At least as far as the participant reactions are concerned. A questionnaire is being presented to those signing up for the pilot, but participants aren't being given copies of the questions they're being asked, and the best we can establish after some correspondence with the Home Office (we've blogged it for you below*) is that the Home Office intends to keep the questionnaire a closely-guarded secret.
But in surveys, questions are frequently used to massage the data in order to produce the desired results, and there is some evidence that this is precisely what the Home Office is up to. Marketing consultant Ben Fleming-Williams, who signed up for the trial for his own interest and kindly offered to report back to The Register, says that: "Instead of asking an absolute 'How was your experience of the trial', the question was 'How was your experience of the trial, compared to your expectations?'."
John Lettice
"Call us suspicious-minded, but we feel sure that at some point in the very near future the UK Home Office will announce that the biometric identity system pilot scheme currently running has been a success, and that the response from participants has been positive. This might seem a remarkable achievement, under the circumstances, considering that there have been numerous reports of technical glitches and an underwhelming response to the pilot, but The Register has received indications that the Home Office has taken the precaution of loading the dice.
At least as far as the participant reactions are concerned. A questionnaire is being presented to those signing up for the pilot, but participants aren't being given copies of the questions they're being asked, and the best we can establish after some correspondence with the Home Office (we've blogged it for you below*) is that the Home Office intends to keep the questionnaire a closely-guarded secret.
But in surveys, questions are frequently used to massage the data in order to produce the desired results, and there is some evidence that this is precisely what the Home Office is up to. Marketing consultant Ben Fleming-Williams, who signed up for the trial for his own interest and kindly offered to report back to The Register, says that: "Instead of asking an absolute 'How was your experience of the trial', the question was 'How was your experience of the trial, compared to your expectations?'."
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Death penalty for minors: Cruel and unusual ... American Medical News: 27 Sep 2004.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/09/27/edsa0927.htm
"As the Supreme Court hears arguments on using the death penalty against minors, the AMA joins the voices of science and international leaders against it.
No one seriously questions the rules that prevent a 16- or 17-year-old from buying alcohol or tobacco. Similar strictures prevent these young people from volunteering for active duty in the armed forces or even voting.
The reason for these limits is clear. It's a recognition that adolescents, even older adolescents, do not possess a level of maturity and understanding of consequences that come with adulthood.
That's why it is startling that, in certain states, these same young people still can be punished with death if convicted of a capital crime."
"As the Supreme Court hears arguments on using the death penalty against minors, the AMA joins the voices of science and international leaders against it.
No one seriously questions the rules that prevent a 16- or 17-year-old from buying alcohol or tobacco. Similar strictures prevent these young people from volunteering for active duty in the armed forces or even voting.
The reason for these limits is clear. It's a recognition that adolescents, even older adolescents, do not possess a level of maturity and understanding of consequences that come with adulthood.
That's why it is startling that, in certain states, these same young people still can be punished with death if convicted of a capital crime."
COMING OF AGE THREAT TO YOBS / Reading Evening Post, 21 Sep 2004
http://www.getreading.co.uk/story.asp?intid=10431
"READING's worst young criminals will be sent birthday cards from the police when they turn 18.
But the cards won't contain a cheery greeting - instead the troublesome teenagers will be warned they are coming of age and will face the full force of the adult justice system unless they mend their ways.
The card idea is the latest tool in the force's strategy aimed at tackling persistent young offenders. Thames Valley Police Chief Constable said: "Some of the youngsters think that when they turn 18 they can start again because they will not be dealing with the organisations who were handling them in the youth courts."
"READING's worst young criminals will be sent birthday cards from the police when they turn 18.
But the cards won't contain a cheery greeting - instead the troublesome teenagers will be warned they are coming of age and will face the full force of the adult justice system unless they mend their ways.
The card idea is the latest tool in the force's strategy aimed at tackling persistent young offenders. Thames Valley Police Chief Constable said: "Some of the youngsters think that when they turn 18 they can start again because they will not be dealing with the organisations who were handling them in the youth courts."
The Front Line: Building Programs that Recognize Families' Role in Reentry / [USA]
http://www.vera.org/publication_pdf/249_476.pdf?bulletin=33&token=1262
Mike Bobbitt and Marta Nelson
"People leaving prison often turn to their families for assistance. These families become the "front line" of reentry, providing people coming home with critical emotional and material support. But criminal justice systems have only recently begun to engage families in the transition. This Issue in Brief examines the trend towards providing family-focused reentry programming in prison and in the community, highlights ways that jurisdictions can and are structuring such efforts, and addresses the challenges involved."
Mike Bobbitt and Marta Nelson
"People leaving prison often turn to their families for assistance. These families become the "front line" of reentry, providing people coming home with critical emotional and material support. But criminal justice systems have only recently begun to engage families in the transition. This Issue in Brief examines the trend towards providing family-focused reentry programming in prison and in the community, highlights ways that jurisdictions can and are structuring such efforts, and addresses the challenges involved."
Aggravated Sentencing: Blakely v. Washington / [USA] Vera Publications, Sep 2004
http://www.vera.org/publication_pdf/250_477.pdf?bulletin=33&token=1262
Jon Wool
"Few Supreme Court decisions have engendered as much uncertainty in state and federal courts as Blakely v. Washington. This report, the second in a series on the practical implications of the ruling, examines the legal issues raised by Blakely and prior related decisions. The Court ruled in June that any factor that increases a criminal sentence above an established threshold must be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt (or admitted by the defendant) and cannot be imposed by a judge alone. The ruling cast doubt on two decades of sentencing reform efforts."
Jon Wool
"Few Supreme Court decisions have engendered as much uncertainty in state and federal courts as Blakely v. Washington. This report, the second in a series on the practical implications of the ruling, examines the legal issues raised by Blakely and prior related decisions. The Court ruled in June that any factor that increases a criminal sentence above an established threshold must be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt (or admitted by the defendant) and cannot be imposed by a judge alone. The ruling cast doubt on two decades of sentencing reform efforts."
Monday, September 20, 2004
TEEN TERRORS / The Jersey Journal, 18 Sep 2004
http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1095498776224120.xml
Christian Adamkiewicz
"According to data from the National Center of Victims of Crime, more violent crimes were committed against teenagers than against people in any other age group in 2002, the last year for which data is available. In all, nearly 1.7 million teenagers were victims of violent crimes.
But increasingly, teenagers have also been on the giving end.
According to the Uniform Crime Report compiled annually by the FBI, in Hudson County in 2002 - the last year for which statistics are available - 905 juvenile arrests were made for violent crimes, which include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, and arson.
Another 138 arrests were for weapons possession. "
Christian Adamkiewicz
"According to data from the National Center of Victims of Crime, more violent crimes were committed against teenagers than against people in any other age group in 2002, the last year for which data is available. In all, nearly 1.7 million teenagers were victims of violent crimes.
But increasingly, teenagers have also been on the giving end.
According to the Uniform Crime Report compiled annually by the FBI, in Hudson County in 2002 - the last year for which statistics are available - 905 juvenile arrests were made for violent crimes, which include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, and arson.
Another 138 arrests were for weapons possession. "
Shock tactics to stop drugs / EDP24 News, 18 Sep 2004
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=edponline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED17%20Sep%202004%2019%3A38%3A52%3A100
Steve Downes
"Three stark posters will be launched on Monday to show the effects of drug-dealing and drug-taking on people in the county.
The posters follow the success of Operation Abolish, which saw 24 dealers sentenced to nearly 100 years' imprisonment for heroin and crack cocaine trafficking offences.
Now police are vowing to keep up the pressure with their new campaign, a partnership with Crimestoppers, called Another Victim of Drug Crime.
The campaign aims to educate people about the spiralling effect of drug- dealing on crime levels in their community - and asks for their help in gathering intelligence via the anonymous Crime-stoppers telephone number."
Steve Downes
"Three stark posters will be launched on Monday to show the effects of drug-dealing and drug-taking on people in the county.
The posters follow the success of Operation Abolish, which saw 24 dealers sentenced to nearly 100 years' imprisonment for heroin and crack cocaine trafficking offences.
Now police are vowing to keep up the pressure with their new campaign, a partnership with Crimestoppers, called Another Victim of Drug Crime.
The campaign aims to educate people about the spiralling effect of drug- dealing on crime levels in their community - and asks for their help in gathering intelligence via the anonymous Crime-stoppers telephone number."
Police set to override right to silence / [Australia] The Age, 19 Sep 2004
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/18/1095394059820.html?oneclick=true
Jason Dowling
"Liberty Victoria and the Criminal Bar Association have expressed alarm and disappointment at new legislation that will give Victoria Police coercive questioning powers and remove an individual's right to silence.
While royal commissions and the Australian Crime Commission have previously been granted the extreme powers, it is understood that Victoria Police will be the first state police body in Australia to have them.
'This is a radical departure from fundamental liberties,' Brian Walters, SC, vice-president of Liberty Victoria, said. He added that the struggle against organised crime in the context of the gangland war was being used as a Trojan horse by police to gain massive new powers.
Under the legislation, which will be detailed by the Government during the next sitting of Parliament, Victoria Police are expected to be granted the power to compel individuals to answer questions or face prosecution."
Jason Dowling
"Liberty Victoria and the Criminal Bar Association have expressed alarm and disappointment at new legislation that will give Victoria Police coercive questioning powers and remove an individual's right to silence.
While royal commissions and the Australian Crime Commission have previously been granted the extreme powers, it is understood that Victoria Police will be the first state police body in Australia to have them.
'This is a radical departure from fundamental liberties,' Brian Walters, SC, vice-president of Liberty Victoria, said. He added that the struggle against organised crime in the context of the gangland war was being used as a Trojan horse by police to gain massive new powers.
Under the legislation, which will be detailed by the Government during the next sitting of Parliament, Victoria Police are expected to be granted the power to compel individuals to answer questions or face prosecution."
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Ten Drug and Alcohol Policies That Save Lives / Join Together, 14 Sep 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/redirect/0,1473,574616,00.html
"In every community, local leaders are grappling with problems caused by drug and alcohol use. Everyone wants to know: What really works? Which public policies are most effective in preventing and treating these problems? How can we save lives?"
"In every community, local leaders are grappling with problems caused by drug and alcohol use. Everyone wants to know: What really works? Which public policies are most effective in preventing and treating these problems? How can we save lives?"
Seattle Police Reprise 'SODA' Zones to Stop Drug Dealers / Join Togethr, 17 Sep 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0%2C1854%2C574638%2C00.html
"To address a rise in drug-related crime, police officials in Seattle, Wash., are reviving an old program called Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA), aimed at keeping drug dealers out of certain parts of the city. Originally used in the 1990s, SODA allowed police to pick up a suspect even if no crime was committed or no suspicious activity was taking place.
"
"To address a rise in drug-related crime, police officials in Seattle, Wash., are reviving an old program called Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA), aimed at keeping drug dealers out of certain parts of the city. Originally used in the 1990s, SODA allowed police to pick up a suspect even if no crime was committed or no suspicious activity was taking place.
"
FAMILY CRIME, ONE EVERY 40 HOURS IN 2003 (201 IN TOTAL) / [Italy] Agenzia Giornalistica Italia, 18 Sep 2004
http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=200409171635-1125-RT1-CRO-0-NF11&page=0&id=agionline-eng.oggitalia
"Figures have emerged from a survey on family crimes conducted by Eures, the economic and social research centre, presented today in the 2004 report 'on voluntary homicide in Italy' which shows an increase of 9.7 percent and in particular in homicide carried out by organised crime, from 84 in 2002 to 154 in 2003, a rise of 83.3 percent. "
"Figures have emerged from a survey on family crimes conducted by Eures, the economic and social research centre, presented today in the 2004 report 'on voluntary homicide in Italy' which shows an increase of 9.7 percent and in particular in homicide carried out by organised crime, from 84 in 2002 to 154 in 2003, a rise of 83.3 percent. "
Friday, September 17, 2004
Community spirit makes garden magic / San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Sep 2004
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/09/16/BAGCM8PN3I1.DTL
Joan Ryan
"On the front page of The Chronicle on Wednesday, reporter Patricia Yollin wrote about a garden that two residents of a crime-plagued San Francisco street planted on a median strip two years ago. As the flowers and tomatoes grew, the neighborhood began to change, as if the garden itself had cast some kind of spell.
The unregistered vehicles that once cluttered the street disappeared. A dilapidated house is about to be renovated. The music blaring at all hours from parked cars has quieted. The daily dumping of liquor bottles and fast- food wrappers onto the street and sidewalk has decreased by 60 or 70 percent. "
Joan Ryan
"On the front page of The Chronicle on Wednesday, reporter Patricia Yollin wrote about a garden that two residents of a crime-plagued San Francisco street planted on a median strip two years ago. As the flowers and tomatoes grew, the neighborhood began to change, as if the garden itself had cast some kind of spell.
The unregistered vehicles that once cluttered the street disappeared. A dilapidated house is about to be renovated. The music blaring at all hours from parked cars has quieted. The daily dumping of liquor bottles and fast- food wrappers onto the street and sidewalk has decreased by 60 or 70 percent. "
Slum dwellers take law into their hands / BBC NEWS, 16 Sep 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3661986.stm
"A radical scheme to police some of India's worst slums by using slum dwellers as the main law enforcers is to be greatly extended in the city of Bombay (Mumbai).
The scheme, which recruits seven women and three men in each slum to work alongside an official police officer in a group known as a panchayat, has been highly successful so far in reducing crime. "
"A radical scheme to police some of India's worst slums by using slum dwellers as the main law enforcers is to be greatly extended in the city of Bombay (Mumbai).
The scheme, which recruits seven women and three men in each slum to work alongside an official police officer in a group known as a panchayat, has been highly successful so far in reducing crime. "
Illegal DVDs funding global terror / NEWS.com.au, 16 Sep 2004
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10779820%5E421,00.html
Martin Wallace
AUSTRALIA is being flooded with pirate DVDs - and the money is helping fund global terrorism.
The number of pirate discs recovered by police and customs during the first quarter of this year has already matched the total for last year.
And Interpol is warning that counterfeit discs have overtaken drugs as the biggest source of income for organised crime gangs based in South-East Asia.
A United Nations report said 1kg of counterfeit discs was worth more than the same weight of marijuana.
Interpol secretary general Ronald Noble said piracy was becoming the preferred method of funding for a number of terror groups. "
Martin Wallace
AUSTRALIA is being flooded with pirate DVDs - and the money is helping fund global terrorism.
The number of pirate discs recovered by police and customs during the first quarter of this year has already matched the total for last year.
And Interpol is warning that counterfeit discs have overtaken drugs as the biggest source of income for organised crime gangs based in South-East Asia.
A United Nations report said 1kg of counterfeit discs was worth more than the same weight of marijuana.
Interpol secretary general Ronald Noble said piracy was becoming the preferred method of funding for a number of terror groups. "
Thursday, September 16, 2004
High Rate of Juvenile Life Without Parole Sentences Examined by ACLU of Michigan / [USA] 14 Sep 2004
http://www.aclumich.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=370
"The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan released a report today to call attention to the growing number of juveniles living out life sentences in Michigan prisons with no hope of rehabilitation or release. The report outlines the issue of life without parole sentences given to juveniles including recommendations for a response to juvenile crime."
Report: www.aclumich.org/pubs/juvenilelifers.pdf
"The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan released a report today to call attention to the growing number of juveniles living out life sentences in Michigan prisons with no hope of rehabilitation or release. The report outlines the issue of life without parole sentences given to juveniles including recommendations for a response to juvenile crime."
Report: www.aclumich.org/pubs/juvenilelifers.pdf
Verdonk faces damages claim over IND delays / Expatica Netherlands, 15 Sep 2004
https://www.aqa.issuebits.com:8443/keswebmodule/keservlet?hardquestion1.htm
"Thousands of new immigrants in Amsterdam cannot start their compulsory integration course because the Immigration and Naturalisation Service IND is late in issuing their residence permits due to a computer glitch.
Amsterdam City Council is fed up with the situation and is threatening to sue the Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk for hundreds of thousands of euros."
"Thousands of new immigrants in Amsterdam cannot start their compulsory integration course because the Immigration and Naturalisation Service IND is late in issuing their residence permits due to a computer glitch.
Amsterdam City Council is fed up with the situation and is threatening to sue the Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk for hundreds of thousands of euros."
-E-Documents to Replace Prosecution Paperwork / The Korea Times, 15 Sep 2004
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200409/kt2004091522363712070.htm
Moon Gwang-lip
"Paper documents used in the prosecution process will be replaced with electronic ones as the Ministry of Justice plans to upgrade recording of the criminal process, it said Wednesday.
According to the plan, the ministry will replace or duplicate every paper necessary for the legal process, such as arrest warrants and written evidence, with electronic data. Also it will endow multimedia data, such as human voice or video images, with the validity to be used as evidence in the legal process.
The law-enforcement ministry said it will also create provisions to obligate each government organization to share administrative information.
``Because the relevant ministries haven��t allowed other organizations to share information of foreigners or immigration, much unnecessary money has been spent,���� said an official at the justice ministry. "
Moon Gwang-lip
"Paper documents used in the prosecution process will be replaced with electronic ones as the Ministry of Justice plans to upgrade recording of the criminal process, it said Wednesday.
According to the plan, the ministry will replace or duplicate every paper necessary for the legal process, such as arrest warrants and written evidence, with electronic data. Also it will endow multimedia data, such as human voice or video images, with the validity to be used as evidence in the legal process.
The law-enforcement ministry said it will also create provisions to obligate each government organization to share administrative information.
``Because the relevant ministries haven��t allowed other organizations to share information of foreigners or immigration, much unnecessary money has been spent,���� said an official at the justice ministry. "
Immigration, police share data in trawl of 'crime hot-spots' | The Register, 15 Sep 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/15/ukis_immigrant_id_trawl/
John Lettice
"As the UK Home Office has stressed on numerous occasions, police will not be given powers to demand ID papers from you as and when a national identity card is introduced. The Home Office has not however shouted quite so loudly about the fact that the Immigration and Nationalities Directorate (IND) has these powers already, and has been busily using them since at least May 2003.
In a House of Commons written answer (reported here, and in Hansard here, immigration minister Des Browne confirmed that 'a variety of joint multi-agency street crime operations' has been mounted in London over the past 15 months, and that: 'Focusing on crime hotspots, the Immigration Service has been invited to attend where an immigration offence is expected.'"
John Lettice
"As the UK Home Office has stressed on numerous occasions, police will not be given powers to demand ID papers from you as and when a national identity card is introduced. The Home Office has not however shouted quite so loudly about the fact that the Immigration and Nationalities Directorate (IND) has these powers already, and has been busily using them since at least May 2003.
In a House of Commons written answer (reported here, and in Hansard here, immigration minister Des Browne confirmed that 'a variety of joint multi-agency street crime operations' has been mounted in London over the past 15 months, and that: 'Focusing on crime hotspots, the Immigration Service has been invited to attend where an immigration offence is expected.'"
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Bulls eye / Radio Netherlands, 15 Spe 2004
http://www.rnw.nl/special/en/html/040915dh.html
Liesbeth de Bakker
"Traditionally the Netherlands is known for its liberal approach to treating young offenders. Underage criminals are more likely to receive a suspended sentence or community service, and the length of stay for those who do receive a prison term is likely to be shorter than in other European countries. It's all the more surprising therefore that a Dutch penal institute for young offenders with many of the hallmarks of an American boot camp is beginning to win favour with politicians and the judiciary for its tough approach."
Liesbeth de Bakker
"Traditionally the Netherlands is known for its liberal approach to treating young offenders. Underage criminals are more likely to receive a suspended sentence or community service, and the length of stay for those who do receive a prison term is likely to be shorter than in other European countries. It's all the more surprising therefore that a Dutch penal institute for young offenders with many of the hallmarks of an American boot camp is beginning to win favour with politicians and the judiciary for its tough approach."
Behind the surge in girl crime / [USA] The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep 2004
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0915/p16s02-usju.html?s=hns
Susan Llewelyn Leach
The headlines pull no punches: "Girls getting increasingly violent," "Violent crime by girls rising," "Girls not all sugar and spice."
That apparent rise in aggression seems to be borne out by FBI arrest statistics for girls, which have skyrocketed over the past decade and a half, leapfrogging past the rate of arrests for boys. Girls now account for 29 percent of all juvenile arrests, up from 23 percent in 1990. So, have the butt-kicking antics of the likes of Lara Croft, the videogame figure turned film character, and the sexing up of female violence in the media finally spun out into real life?
Susan Llewelyn Leach
The headlines pull no punches: "Girls getting increasingly violent," "Violent crime by girls rising," "Girls not all sugar and spice."
That apparent rise in aggression seems to be borne out by FBI arrest statistics for girls, which have skyrocketed over the past decade and a half, leapfrogging past the rate of arrests for boys. Girls now account for 29 percent of all juvenile arrests, up from 23 percent in 1990. So, have the butt-kicking antics of the likes of Lara Croft, the videogame figure turned film character, and the sexing up of female violence in the media finally spun out into real life?
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Lawyers slam IND delays, 'legal tactics and prejudice' / Expatica Netherlands, 13 Sep 2004
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=19&story_id=11778&name=Lawyers+slam+IND+delays%2Clegal+tactics+and+bias+
"Staff at the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service are ignorant of their own procedures, and their unwillingness to investigate case files leads to long delays in issuing residence permits, it was claimed on Monday.
Lawyers and other experts told a Dutch parliamentary hearing that an increasingly negative attitude has pervaded the IND in recent years and the IND has been reduced to an organisation that is simply required to "obtain targets", newspaper De Volkskrant reported.
MPs were told that IND staff were not contactable and that the immigration service regularly ignores court rulings. Complaints about the IND have risen explosively in recent years."
"Staff at the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service are ignorant of their own procedures, and their unwillingness to investigate case files leads to long delays in issuing residence permits, it was claimed on Monday.
Lawyers and other experts told a Dutch parliamentary hearing that an increasingly negative attitude has pervaded the IND in recent years and the IND has been reduced to an organisation that is simply required to "obtain targets", newspaper De Volkskrant reported.
MPs were told that IND staff were not contactable and that the immigration service regularly ignores court rulings. Complaints about the IND have risen explosively in recent years."
Monday, September 13, 2004
'Terrorists 'planning to hit Schiphol, Dutch Parliament' / Expatica Netherlands, 7 Sep 2004
https://www.aqa.issuebits.com:8443/keswebmodule/keservlet?question1.htm
"The Justice Ministry suspects terrorists have drawn up plans for an attack on the Dutch Parliament, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Borssele nuclear reactor, the Defence Ministry and the Leidschendam office of the AIVD secret service"
"The Justice Ministry suspects terrorists have drawn up plans for an attack on the Dutch Parliament, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Borssele nuclear reactor, the Defence Ministry and the Leidschendam office of the AIVD secret service"
Prostitution: International answers / BBC NEWS, 16 July 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3900361.stm
"The UK government has launched a four-month nationwide consultation on what to do about prostitution. But how do other nations deal with prostitution? Do their schemes work or make things worse?
Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Greece"
"The UK government has launched a four-month nationwide consultation on what to do about prostitution. But how do other nations deal with prostitution? Do their schemes work or make things worse?
Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Greece"
Plans for part-time prisoners / Scotsman, 12 Sep 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1071322004
EDDIE BARNES and KATE FOSTER
"WEEKEND jails are to be created in Scotland under a plan to allow criminals to continue with their jobs while serving time. The move is being put forward as part of a major plan by justice minister Cathy Jamieson to slash Scotland?s record prison population, and to reduce rates of re-offending.
She is also to sanction plans to introduce suspended sentences in Scotland. Criminals would be given jail terms, but instead of being locked up immediately, they would be given a year to prove their good behaviour after which the threat of jail would be lifted.
The two measures are aimed at bringing an end to the revolving-door syndrome, whereby criminals who are jailed simply return to a life of crime as soon as they are freed.
Under the new weekend jail plan, petty criminals could be jailed at weekends or in the evening during the period when they are deemed most likely to cause trouble.
But by staying at home during the week they would keep a link with their families and carry on at work, thus maintaining some order in their lives. "
EDDIE BARNES and KATE FOSTER
"WEEKEND jails are to be created in Scotland under a plan to allow criminals to continue with their jobs while serving time. The move is being put forward as part of a major plan by justice minister Cathy Jamieson to slash Scotland?s record prison population, and to reduce rates of re-offending.
She is also to sanction plans to introduce suspended sentences in Scotland. Criminals would be given jail terms, but instead of being locked up immediately, they would be given a year to prove their good behaviour after which the threat of jail would be lifted.
The two measures are aimed at bringing an end to the revolving-door syndrome, whereby criminals who are jailed simply return to a life of crime as soon as they are freed.
Under the new weekend jail plan, petty criminals could be jailed at weekends or in the evening during the period when they are deemed most likely to cause trouble.
But by staying at home during the week they would keep a link with their families and carry on at work, thus maintaining some order in their lives. "
Blunkett seeks return of bobby on the beat / Guardian Unlimited, 12 Sep 2004
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,11026,1302783,00.html
Martin Bright
"David Blunkett will herald a return to traditional 'bobby on the beat' policing this week when he argues that every citizen in Britain should know the name of their local police officer and play an active part in the fight against crime and antisocial behaviour.
During a speech to the Police Superintendents' Association conference, the Home Secretary will urge middle-ranking officers to embrace changes proposed in a forthcoming White Paper on police reform allowing local communities to trigger action against members of the community who cause a nuisance. "
Martin Bright
"David Blunkett will herald a return to traditional 'bobby on the beat' policing this week when he argues that every citizen in Britain should know the name of their local police officer and play an active part in the fight against crime and antisocial behaviour.
During a speech to the Police Superintendents' Association conference, the Home Secretary will urge middle-ranking officers to embrace changes proposed in a forthcoming White Paper on police reform allowing local communities to trigger action against members of the community who cause a nuisance. "
Scotland - Spy kids get call-up to catch rogue traders / Scotsman, 12 Sep 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1071782004
JEREMY WATSON
"THEY will be the innocents in pursuit of the immoral. A specially recruited squad of teenage undercover investigators is being set up to catch rogue traders who illegally sell age-restricted products to children in Scotland.
Up to 10 youngsters between the ages of 14 and 16 will be trained in the art of catching out retailers prepared to sell fireworks, cigarettes, lighter refills and possibly alcohol to minors.
The move follows pilot surveys which revealed that the practice is widespread in Scotland. Almost half of the shops sampled illegally sold lighter fuel and a quarter sold fireworks to under-18s.
The new squad, being financed as part of a Department of Trade and Industry crackdown on unscrupulous traders, is being set up initially in Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Borders before being introduced across the country. "
JEREMY WATSON
"THEY will be the innocents in pursuit of the immoral. A specially recruited squad of teenage undercover investigators is being set up to catch rogue traders who illegally sell age-restricted products to children in Scotland.
Up to 10 youngsters between the ages of 14 and 16 will be trained in the art of catching out retailers prepared to sell fireworks, cigarettes, lighter refills and possibly alcohol to minors.
The move follows pilot surveys which revealed that the practice is widespread in Scotland. Almost half of the shops sampled illegally sold lighter fuel and a quarter sold fireworks to under-18s.
The new squad, being financed as part of a Department of Trade and Industry crackdown on unscrupulous traders, is being set up initially in Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Borders before being introduced across the country. "
'English crucial' for immigrants / BBC NEWS, 12 Sep 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3648768.stm
"More than half the members of ethnic minorities resident in Britain believe those settling in the UK should learn to speak English, a survey suggests.
More than 90% of 3,000 questioned said those arriving in Britain should not expect special treatment. "
"More than half the members of ethnic minorities resident in Britain believe those settling in the UK should learn to speak English, a survey suggests.
More than 90% of 3,000 questioned said those arriving in Britain should not expect special treatment. "
Asylum clampdown sparks fear of rising crime / [Switzerland] Swissinfo, 13 Sep 2004
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=105&sid=5204345
"The mayor of Switzerland's largest city, Zurich, has warned that the government?s plans for stricter asylum laws will lead to an increase in urban crime.
In an interview with swissinfo, Elmar Ledergerber also said Swiss towns and cities felt shut out of the national debate on how to tackle illegal immigration."
"The mayor of Switzerland's largest city, Zurich, has warned that the government?s plans for stricter asylum laws will lead to an increase in urban crime.
In an interview with swissinfo, Elmar Ledergerber also said Swiss towns and cities felt shut out of the national debate on how to tackle illegal immigration."
strong>Sex and the slave workers / Scotsman, 12 Sep 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1071102004
Kate Foster
"The welfare of prostitutes has long been a serious social problem in Britain, with most selling their bodies and risking sex diseases to feed drug habits, many working the streets and some raped, attacked or murdered. But there is a growing underclass in the seedy world of the sex trade, of foreign women who are being forced to work as poorly paid prostitutes for powerful gangmasters. And some critics fear that proposals to relax Scotland?s prostitution laws could make it a hotspot for the gangs that traffic women. "
Kate Foster
"The welfare of prostitutes has long been a serious social problem in Britain, with most selling their bodies and risking sex diseases to feed drug habits, many working the streets and some raped, attacked or murdered. But there is a growing underclass in the seedy world of the sex trade, of foreign women who are being forced to work as poorly paid prostitutes for powerful gangmasters. And some critics fear that proposals to relax Scotland?s prostitution laws could make it a hotspot for the gangs that traffic women. "
Sunday, September 12, 2004
The New Islamic Mafia / Serbianna.com, 12 Sep 2004
http://www.serbianna.com/columns/mb/028.shtml
M. Bozinovich
"FBI has recently announced that ethnic Albanian gangs, including immigrants from Kosovo, are replacing the Italian La Cosa Nostra mafia as the leading organized crime outfit in the US. According to a CNN report the FBI 'Officials said ethnic Albanians from Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro' make up the emerging American criminal cartel and 'represent a major challenge to federal agents because of their propensity for violence and brutality.' This statement comes several months after Amnesty International declared NATO-administered Kosovo province a hotbed of organized crime activity.
In Europe, the Albanian Mob is already the chief perpetrator of drug and people smuggling, passport theft and forgery, weapons and human body parts sales, sex-slavery, abductions, murders... The scope, ferocity and intensity of the Albanian criminal activity has prompted the Italian top prosecutor, Cataldo Motta, to declare Albanians most dangerous mobsters brandishing them in 2000 'a threat to Western society.' "
M. Bozinovich
"FBI has recently announced that ethnic Albanian gangs, including immigrants from Kosovo, are replacing the Italian La Cosa Nostra mafia as the leading organized crime outfit in the US. According to a CNN report the FBI 'Officials said ethnic Albanians from Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro' make up the emerging American criminal cartel and 'represent a major challenge to federal agents because of their propensity for violence and brutality.' This statement comes several months after Amnesty International declared NATO-administered Kosovo province a hotbed of organized crime activity.
In Europe, the Albanian Mob is already the chief perpetrator of drug and people smuggling, passport theft and forgery, weapons and human body parts sales, sex-slavery, abductions, murders... The scope, ferocity and intensity of the Albanian criminal activity has prompted the Italian top prosecutor, Cataldo Motta, to declare Albanians most dangerous mobsters brandishing them in 2000 'a threat to Western society.' "
New cure for youth crime is an apology / This is North Scotland, 11 Sep 2004
http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?command=newPage&nodeId=149211&contentPK=10932925
PAUL GALLAGHER
"Young offenders will be made to apologise to their victims and confront the consequences of their actions in a new drive to cut crime.
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson yesterday insisted this was not a soft option.
Political rivals and pensioner groups welcomed the move, with some urging it be brought into force sooner rather than later.
Every police force in Scotland will be taking part in a programme of so-called restorative justice warnings, in which minor or first-time offenders under 16 could be made to apologise to their victims or to make amends."
PAUL GALLAGHER
"Young offenders will be made to apologise to their victims and confront the consequences of their actions in a new drive to cut crime.
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson yesterday insisted this was not a soft option.
Political rivals and pensioner groups welcomed the move, with some urging it be brought into force sooner rather than later.
Every police force in Scotland will be taking part in a programme of so-called restorative justice warnings, in which minor or first-time offenders under 16 could be made to apologise to their victims or to make amends."
Rejected asylum seekers go underground / [Switzerland] Swissinfo, 12 Sep 2004
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=105&sid=5203148
Elizabeth Meen and Katalin Fekete
"Fears that rejected asylum seekers would be driven underground by a decision to stop their welfare benefits have been confirmed.
A government report has revealed that most of the 1,478 applicants refused entry between April 1 and July 31 have disappeared."
Elizabeth Meen and Katalin Fekete
"Fears that rejected asylum seekers would be driven underground by a decision to stop their welfare benefits have been confirmed.
A government report has revealed that most of the 1,478 applicants refused entry between April 1 and July 31 have disappeared."
Analysis: The Phantom of Osama Bin Laden / Deutsche Welle, 11 Sep 2004
http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,,1433_A_1325076_1_A,00.html
Peter Philipp
"Three years after the Sept. 11, the terrorism map has spread and the threat has become transparent and harder to ferret out. Nor have we tackled the roots of the problem: poverty and oppression in many Muslim countries.
If you count Iraq and Afghanistan, for some time now, not a single day has gone by in which a terrorist attack has been carried out somewhere in the world against innocent victims: passersby, tourists, hotel guests, airline passengers, train passengers, the pious or children on their first day of school."
Peter Philipp
"Three years after the Sept. 11, the terrorism map has spread and the threat has become transparent and harder to ferret out. Nor have we tackled the roots of the problem: poverty and oppression in many Muslim countries.
If you count Iraq and Afghanistan, for some time now, not a single day has gone by in which a terrorist attack has been carried out somewhere in the world against innocent victims: passersby, tourists, hotel guests, airline passengers, train passengers, the pious or children on their first day of school."
Community Voice Mail Program Helps Homeless / Join together, 10 Sep 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0%2C1854%2C574582%2C00.html
"A growing number of cities are using the national Community Voice Program, designed to connect homeless individuals to potential employers, social-service agencies, and family, the Associated Press reported Sept. 8.
The program, which was established in 1991, offers free voice mail to homeless people and others without phones. Individuals receive a phone number and a voice mailbox where they can record their own message. They can check their voice mail at any time from a regular or pay phone. The service costs the providing agency about $7 per number per month."
Community voice Program Website - http://www.cvm.org/
"A growing number of cities are using the national Community Voice Program, designed to connect homeless individuals to potential employers, social-service agencies, and family, the Associated Press reported Sept. 8.
The program, which was established in 1991, offers free voice mail to homeless people and others without phones. Individuals receive a phone number and a voice mailbox where they can record their own message. They can check their voice mail at any time from a regular or pay phone. The service costs the providing agency about $7 per number per month."
Community voice Program Website - http://www.cvm.org/
Cash aid for youth crime scheme / BBC NEWS, 10 Sep 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3644472.stm
"Ministers are to spend £750,000 to give police forces a new way of warning young offenders.
The money will help forces with a new 'restorative warnings' scheme, aimed at showing minor and first time young offenders the impact of their crimes.
Minor and first-time offenders may have to go to a police station with their parents to discuss their offence.
Ministers say the idea is more effective than traditional police warnings in tackling youth crime.
Other options include a teenager apologising to a victim or cleaning up graffiti. "
"Ministers are to spend £750,000 to give police forces a new way of warning young offenders.
The money will help forces with a new 'restorative warnings' scheme, aimed at showing minor and first time young offenders the impact of their crimes.
Minor and first-time offenders may have to go to a police station with their parents to discuss their offence.
Ministers say the idea is more effective than traditional police warnings in tackling youth crime.
Other options include a teenager apologising to a victim or cleaning up graffiti. "
Immigration reform urged in Norway / (United Press International, 10 Sep 2004
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040909-105639-9530r.htm
"A forensic psychiatrist in Norway says the nation needs to better understand immigration and toughen standards to deal with an influx of foreigners. "
"A forensic psychiatrist in Norway says the nation needs to better understand immigration and toughen standards to deal with an influx of foreigners. "
Friday, September 10, 2004
Benefit-Cost Analysis of Supermax Prisons / [USA] The Urban Institute, Aug 2004
http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411047_Supermax.pdf
Sarah Lawrence , Daniel P. Mears
"This policy brief provides an introduction to benefit-cost analysis and how it can assist policymakers and corrections officials in determining whether investing in supermax security facilities constitutes an appropriate and effective allocation of resources. The brief provides examples of practical applications of benefit-cost analysis, introduces the logic of this analytic tool, describes the specific steps involved in conducting a benefit-cost analysis, and then shows how these steps apply to supermax prisons. The brief emphasizes the critical role that informed judgments and assumptions play, along with empirical research, in affecting the results of benefit-cost analyses."
Sarah Lawrence , Daniel P. Mears
"This policy brief provides an introduction to benefit-cost analysis and how it can assist policymakers and corrections officials in determining whether investing in supermax security facilities constitutes an appropriate and effective allocation of resources. The brief provides examples of practical applications of benefit-cost analysis, introduces the logic of this analytic tool, describes the specific steps involved in conducting a benefit-cost analysis, and then shows how these steps apply to supermax prisons. The brief emphasizes the critical role that informed judgments and assumptions play, along with empirical research, in affecting the results of benefit-cost analyses."
Characteristics of Chinese Human Smugglers / [ National Institute of Justice , Aug 2004
http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/204989.pdf
"This NIJ Research in Brief presents findings of a study that uncovered the inner workings of Chinese human smuggling organizations by going right to the source-smugglers themselves. Researchers found that most human smugglers are ordinary citizens whose social networks provide the necessary connections and resources to profit from human trade. Enforcement efforts need to consider the unique organization of smuggling enterprises and how smugglers are perceived by themselves and their clients. "
"This NIJ Research in Brief presents findings of a study that uncovered the inner workings of Chinese human smuggling organizations by going right to the source-smugglers themselves. Researchers found that most human smugglers are ordinary citizens whose social networks provide the necessary connections and resources to profit from human trade. Enforcement efforts need to consider the unique organization of smuggling enterprises and how smugglers are perceived by themselves and their clients. "
Voice translators for Law Enforcement / [USA] National Institute of Justice, Sep 2004
http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/205837.pdf
"Law Enforcement officers who are likely to encounter non-English-speaking individuals in the line of duty can benefit from the Voice Response Translator (VRT), and electronic device that provides translations of basic commands in several languages. The VRT is a compact, easy-to-use, and battery-operated unit with fast response time and hands-free capability."
"Law Enforcement officers who are likely to encounter non-English-speaking individuals in the line of duty can benefit from the Voice Response Translator (VRT), and electronic device that provides translations of basic commands in several languages. The VRT is a compact, easy-to-use, and battery-operated unit with fast response time and hands-free capability."
The Jury's Still Out on Drug Courts / Join together,18 Aug 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/features/reader/0,1854,574178,00.html
Kevin Whiteacre
"Most studies of drug courts still fail to utilize the proper control and experimental groups for outcome comparisons. On page 2 the Report Card presents the findings from some of 'the most rigorous evaluations conducted among particular drug courts.' Every local evaluation listed compares the recidivism rate for an entire control group of offenders not participating in drug treatment courts with drug court graduates -- a mere portion of the entire experimental group of drug court participants. Similarly, the Report Card cites a study by the National Institute of Justice that found a 16.4 percent one year rearrest rate among a nationwide sample of 17,000 drug court graduates. They do not give recidivism data for the rest of the drug court participants. "
Kevin Whiteacre
"Most studies of drug courts still fail to utilize the proper control and experimental groups for outcome comparisons. On page 2 the Report Card presents the findings from some of 'the most rigorous evaluations conducted among particular drug courts.' Every local evaluation listed compares the recidivism rate for an entire control group of offenders not participating in drug treatment courts with drug court graduates -- a mere portion of the entire experimental group of drug court participants. Similarly, the Report Card cites a study by the National Institute of Justice that found a 16.4 percent one year rearrest rate among a nationwide sample of 17,000 drug court graduates. They do not give recidivism data for the rest of the drug court participants. "
Accreditation Key to Creating the Next Generation of Drug Courts [USA] Join Together, 9 Sep 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/features/reader/0%2C1854%2C574553%2C00.html
John Roman
"Controversy continues about the effectiveness of drug courts. In the midst if this debate, and faced with limited funding, drug courts are caught in a vicious cycle pitting self-promotion against the need for rigorous research that will lead to better interventions. While it is fair to denounce the lamentable state of drug-court research, criticisms of drug court self-promotion serve no purpose. A better approach is to free drug courts from the burdens of research while at the same time providing an objective means of measuring their effectiveness. The solution: accreditation."
John Roman
"Controversy continues about the effectiveness of drug courts. In the midst if this debate, and faced with limited funding, drug courts are caught in a vicious cycle pitting self-promotion against the need for rigorous research that will lead to better interventions. While it is fair to denounce the lamentable state of drug-court research, criticisms of drug court self-promotion serve no purpose. A better approach is to free drug courts from the burdens of research while at the same time providing an objective means of measuring their effectiveness. The solution: accreditation."
CRE designs race equality website to help policy-makers / PublicTechnology, 10 Sep 2004
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1727
"Government departments and other public authorities were today given a user-friendly website by the Commission for Racial Equalityy (CRE) that will enable policy-makers to put race equality firmly at the centre of the decision-making process.
It's a good piece of e-Government to help those in the public sector achieve compliance on an important issue.
The Race Equality Impact Assessment: A step-by-step guide' website provides user-friendly guidance and practical case studies. Policy-makers will find it easier to meet their legal duty to promote race equality.
Speaking at the launch of the new website, Trevor Phillips, Chair of the CRE said:
Policies don't affect everyone in the same way. In the past the needs of different racial groups were not always addressed and inequalities were created. Race equality should be taken into account whenever a new law or change to existing policy takes place. Although this is a statutory duty for public bodies, it can be hit or miss whether it actually happens. "
"Government departments and other public authorities were today given a user-friendly website by the Commission for Racial Equalityy (CRE) that will enable policy-makers to put race equality firmly at the centre of the decision-making process.
It's a good piece of e-Government to help those in the public sector achieve compliance on an important issue.
The Race Equality Impact Assessment: A step-by-step guide' website provides user-friendly guidance and practical case studies. Policy-makers will find it easier to meet their legal duty to promote race equality.
Speaking at the launch of the new website, Trevor Phillips, Chair of the CRE said:
Policies don't affect everyone in the same way. In the past the needs of different racial groups were not always addressed and inequalities were created. Race equality should be taken into account whenever a new law or change to existing policy takes place. Although this is a statutory duty for public bodies, it can be hit or miss whether it actually happens. "
Delete records, or profile the whole UK, says DNA print pioneer / The Register, 9 Sep 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/09/jeffreys_on_dna_fingerprints/
John Lettice
"The scientist who pioneered DNA fingerprinting has warned of the increasing danger of false positives as the use of the technique becomes more widespread. Although the theoretical chance of a false ID remains very small, geneticist Sir Alec Jeffreys suggests switching from use of ten markers per person to 15 or 16 would reduce the chance of a false match to around one in a trillion.
Jeffreys, speaking at a briefing marking the 20th anniversary of DNA fingerprinting at Leicester University yesterday, also expressed doubts about current UK policy on DNA record retention. Suspects have their DNA recorded, but for several years now the police have been allowed to retain the DNA profile whether or not the suspect is subsequently charged or convicted. "
John Lettice
"The scientist who pioneered DNA fingerprinting has warned of the increasing danger of false positives as the use of the technique becomes more widespread. Although the theoretical chance of a false ID remains very small, geneticist Sir Alec Jeffreys suggests switching from use of ten markers per person to 15 or 16 would reduce the chance of a false match to around one in a trillion.
Jeffreys, speaking at a briefing marking the 20th anniversary of DNA fingerprinting at Leicester University yesterday, also expressed doubts about current UK policy on DNA record retention. Suspects have their DNA recorded, but for several years now the police have been allowed to retain the DNA profile whether or not the suspect is subsequently charged or convicted. "
David Blunkett Backs Public Calls for Frontline Policing / Scotsman, 9 Sep 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3473746
"Home Secretary David Blunkett today backed public calls for frontline police officers to forge closer links with communities following a public consultation on the next phase of police reform.
As part of the Government�s consultation into police reform �Policing: Building Safer Communities Together�, 5,000 respondents called for dedicated officers they could get to know to build trust, increase visibility and help tackle local crime.
More community engagement, better access to information on local policing and a greater say in setting local priorities for police would also provide greater public reassurance and establish clear lines of local accountability."
"Home Secretary David Blunkett today backed public calls for frontline police officers to forge closer links with communities following a public consultation on the next phase of police reform.
As part of the Government�s consultation into police reform �Policing: Building Safer Communities Together�, 5,000 respondents called for dedicated officers they could get to know to build trust, increase visibility and help tackle local crime.
More community engagement, better access to information on local policing and a greater say in setting local priorities for police would also provide greater public reassurance and establish clear lines of local accountability."
Russia warns West over Chechnya / Swissinfo, 9 Sep 2004
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5203493
Oliver Bullough
"Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned the West not to meddle with Russia's Chechnya policy in the wake of the
bloody hostage crisis, highlighting a growing rift over the issue between former Cold War foes.
He said, in a reference to British and U.S. offers of asylum to spokesmen for Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov, that the West was
directly interfering in an internal issue.
'When our Western partners say we should re-examine our policy, what you call our tactics, I would advise them not to interfere in our
Russian internal affairs,' he told reporters on Thursday.
'Some try to interfere by offering political asylum to terrorists who are directly linked to the Chechen tragedy.'"
Oliver Bullough
"Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned the West not to meddle with Russia's Chechnya policy in the wake of the
bloody hostage crisis, highlighting a growing rift over the issue between former Cold War foes.
He said, in a reference to British and U.S. offers of asylum to spokesmen for Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov, that the West was
directly interfering in an internal issue.
'When our Western partners say we should re-examine our policy, what you call our tactics, I would advise them not to interfere in our
Russian internal affairs,' he told reporters on Thursday.
'Some try to interfere by offering political asylum to terrorists who are directly linked to the Chechen tragedy.'"
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Deadly spiders as prison drugs /Sydney Morning Herald, 8 Sep 8, 2004
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10702737%5E421,00.html
"INMATES at a NSW jail have been caught keeping deadly redback spiders - so they could milk their venom and inject it for a high.
In a bizarre dice with death, prisoners watered down the venom before injecting, according to Corrective Services documents.
The spiders were among contraband seized from prisoners, according to documents obtained by the State Opposition, under Freedom of Information laws, which also revealed the number of weapons seized in jails has quadrupled over a year while drug use and 'potato factory' alcohol set-ups have doubled.
Guards found more than 80 litres of 'homemade' brew in 14 raids in the first three months of this year, according to the documents.
The four 'pet' redbacks were found in a Grafton cell on February 19 with 'intelligence suggesting' inmates at the complex had milked the venom, according to an incident report. "
"INMATES at a NSW jail have been caught keeping deadly redback spiders - so they could milk their venom and inject it for a high.
In a bizarre dice with death, prisoners watered down the venom before injecting, according to Corrective Services documents.
The spiders were among contraband seized from prisoners, according to documents obtained by the State Opposition, under Freedom of Information laws, which also revealed the number of weapons seized in jails has quadrupled over a year while drug use and 'potato factory' alcohol set-ups have doubled.
Guards found more than 80 litres of 'homemade' brew in 14 raids in the first three months of this year, according to the documents.
The four 'pet' redbacks were found in a Grafton cell on February 19 with 'intelligence suggesting' inmates at the complex had milked the venom, according to an incident report. "
Screening key to immigration success / [Australia] Sydney Morning Herald, 9 Sep 2004
https://www.aqa.issuebits.com:8443/keswebmodule/keservlet?question1.htm
Adele Horin
"Australia is showing the world how to run a successful immigration policy, the author of a new study says.
The study, by Sue Richardson, economics professor at Flinders University, shows recent migrants to Australia found jobs far more easily than did migrants to Canada. 'The experience of migrants around the developed world is one of declining success over the last 10 to 15 years,' Professor Richardson said. 'But Australia is the exception.'
More rigorous selection of migrants, especially since 1999, a bigger proportion who are fluent in English and tougher social security rules for new immigrants appear to account for the success."
Adele Horin
"Australia is showing the world how to run a successful immigration policy, the author of a new study says.
The study, by Sue Richardson, economics professor at Flinders University, shows recent migrants to Australia found jobs far more easily than did migrants to Canada. 'The experience of migrants around the developed world is one of declining success over the last 10 to 15 years,' Professor Richardson said. 'But Australia is the exception.'
More rigorous selection of migrants, especially since 1999, a bigger proportion who are fluent in English and tougher social security rules for new immigrants appear to account for the success."
A Comparative Assessment of European Prison Systems / HERO Project
http://www.heroproject.org/SHWebClass.asp?WCI=ShowDoc&ID=3140
Part One - Executive Summary of the Comparative Assessment of European Prison Systems.
Part Two - An Analysis of the European Prison Systems.
Part Three - Prison Profiles for Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and The United Kingdom.
Part Four - EU Prison Profiles for Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden.
Part One - Executive Summary of the Comparative Assessment of European Prison Systems.
Part Two - An Analysis of the European Prison Systems.
Part Three - Prison Profiles for Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and The United Kingdom.
Part Four - EU Prison Profiles for Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden.
Helping European offenders reject the criminal lifestyle / IST Results, Sep 2004-
http://istresults.cordis.lu/index.cfm/section/news/tpl/article/BrowsingType/Features/ID/69851
"Europe has over 350,000 prisoners housed in gaols across the region. Seventy per cent of them have some form of mental health problem, and a high proportion lack even basic literacy or numeracy skills," says Joe Cullen of the UK's Tavistock Institute, explaining the HERO project, and its aim to help prisoners and reduce the incidence of re-offending.
With some 60 per cent of the prison population likely to re-offend within two years of release, the IST project HERO focused on the problem of how to reduce re-offending levels. To this end the project developed and tested a range of ICT tools designed to tackle two key areas. First, to assist prisoners and prison professionals make more informed decisions about personal health and education whilst in prison. Second, to help offenders improve their preparation for release and for life on the outside."
"Europe has over 350,000 prisoners housed in gaols across the region. Seventy per cent of them have some form of mental health problem, and a high proportion lack even basic literacy or numeracy skills," says Joe Cullen of the UK's Tavistock Institute, explaining the HERO project, and its aim to help prisoners and reduce the incidence of re-offending.
With some 60 per cent of the prison population likely to re-offend within two years of release, the IST project HERO focused on the problem of how to reduce re-offending levels. To this end the project developed and tested a range of ICT tools designed to tackle two key areas. First, to assist prisoners and prison professionals make more informed decisions about personal health and education whilst in prison. Second, to help offenders improve their preparation for release and for life on the outside."
Sentencing reform will help us get smart on crime / [USA] Tallahassee Democrat, 8 Sep 2004
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/opinion/9602597.htmStephen Saloom
"In the American criminal-justice system, 'Our resources are misspent, our punishments too severe, (and) our sentences too long.'
These aren't the words of some wild-eyed liberal. These were the remarks of conservative U. S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, urging the American Bar Association to lead the effort to reform that system.
Responding to his call, the ABA formed a 'Justice Kennedy Commission,' assigning some of the nation's top attorneys to investigate and report on the health of the American correctional system. After a year of intensive research and hearings throughout the country, the commission, headed by former prosecutor Steven Salzburg, determined that there were serious structural defects in our criminal-justice system and provided specific recommendations for addressing them."
"In the American criminal-justice system, 'Our resources are misspent, our punishments too severe, (and) our sentences too long.'
These aren't the words of some wild-eyed liberal. These were the remarks of conservative U. S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, urging the American Bar Association to lead the effort to reform that system.
Responding to his call, the ABA formed a 'Justice Kennedy Commission,' assigning some of the nation's top attorneys to investigate and report on the health of the American correctional system. After a year of intensive research and hearings throughout the country, the commission, headed by former prosecutor Steven Salzburg, determined that there were serious structural defects in our criminal-justice system and provided specific recommendations for addressing them."
Racism linked to deprivation, says minister / Irealnd On-Line, 9 Sep 2004
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=116909364&p=yy69yxx7x
"Racism is subtle and selfish in Irish society and lack of services in deprived areas is often a major cause, it was claimed today.
Community Affairs minister Eamon O Cuiv said the problem was inherent in Irish society and directed against asylum seekers, Travellers and even native speakers of the Irish language.
He said that part of the source of racism in Ireland is in deprived areas where groups are competing for scarce resources and services."
"Racism is subtle and selfish in Irish society and lack of services in deprived areas is often a major cause, it was claimed today.
Community Affairs minister Eamon O Cuiv said the problem was inherent in Irish society and directed against asylum seekers, Travellers and even native speakers of the Irish language.
He said that part of the source of racism in Ireland is in deprived areas where groups are competing for scarce resources and services."
Italy plays role of Europe's immigration gatekeeper / Christian Science Monitor, 9 Sep 2004
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0909/p04s01-woeu.html
Sophie Arie
"Italy, which struggles to patrol its 1,500 miles of porous coastline, is battling to dispel its image as an easy entry point onto the Continent. And it is calling on the European Union for help. After all, once immigrants penetrate Italy or Spain by sea from North Africa, the new arrivals are free to spread through 15 other European countries whose shared borders are open under the Schengen border agreement."
Sophie Arie
"Italy, which struggles to patrol its 1,500 miles of porous coastline, is battling to dispel its image as an easy entry point onto the Continent. And it is calling on the European Union for help. After all, once immigrants penetrate Italy or Spain by sea from North Africa, the new arrivals are free to spread through 15 other European countries whose shared borders are open under the Schengen border agreement."
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Police can keep DNA of innocent people indefinitely / Statewatch, Sep 2004
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/sep/03uk-dna-database.htm
"The highest court in the land, in the House of Lords, ruled on 22 July that DNA samples taken from people who are not charged with an offence or who are acquitted can still be held indefinitely by police. Looks at the history of police powers to take and retain DNA samples and the judgement by the "Lords of Appeal"."
"The highest court in the land, in the House of Lords, ruled on 22 July that DNA samples taken from people who are not charged with an offence or who are acquitted can still be held indefinitely by police. Looks at the history of police powers to take and retain DNA samples and the judgement by the "Lords of Appeal"."
Children bear the brunt of "anti-social behaviour" / Statewatch, Sep 2004
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/sep/01uk-asbos.htm
On 19 July the Home Office launched a five-year strategic plan entitled Confident Communities in a Secure Britain. The package was greeted with uniform hostility from opposition parties who claimed it to be little more than an attempt to grab headlines. Indeed, there are very few new measures, rather just modifications to existing mechanisms for combating anti-social behaviour. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, Mark Oaten, claimed that "this government promised to be tough on crime and the causes of crime. We have seen a lot of get tough rhetoric but little progress on tackling the causes". Criminalising low-level nuisance behaviour is not likely to reduce the public's fear of crime. It is children, in particular, that seem to be the target of this anti-social behavioural clampdown having already faced increasing restrictions of their civil liberties over the last five years."
Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO's) target children and protestors: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/sep/asbo.pdf
On 19 July the Home Office launched a five-year strategic plan entitled Confident Communities in a Secure Britain. The package was greeted with uniform hostility from opposition parties who claimed it to be little more than an attempt to grab headlines. Indeed, there are very few new measures, rather just modifications to existing mechanisms for combating anti-social behaviour. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, Mark Oaten, claimed that "this government promised to be tough on crime and the causes of crime. We have seen a lot of get tough rhetoric but little progress on tackling the causes". Criminalising low-level nuisance behaviour is not likely to reduce the public's fear of crime. It is children, in particular, that seem to be the target of this anti-social behavioural clampdown having already faced increasing restrictions of their civil liberties over the last five years."
Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO's) target children and protestors: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/sep/asbo.pdf
New study highlights discrimination in use of anti-terror laws / IRR, Sep 2004
IRR: New study highlights discrimination in use of anti-terror laws: "The Institute of Race Relations publishes today a catalogue that details how hundreds of Muslims have been arrested under terrorism powers before being released without charge; how the special powers granted by parliament to tackle terrorism are being deployed in other spheres, such as in routine criminal investigations or in the policing of immigration; how the media have become 'embedded' in a process that leads to the stigmatisation of Muslims as terrorists."
Study: http://www.irr.org.uk/pdf/terror_arrests_study.pdf
Study: http://www.irr.org.uk/pdf/terror_arrests_study.pdf
GAO: FBI's antiterrorism focus not harming traditional work / www.GovExec, 1Sep 2004
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090104a1.htm
Amelia Gruber
"The FBI's post-Sept. 11 focus on combating terrorism has not necessarily detracted from the federal government's efforts to investigate drug-related, white-collar and violent crimes, according to a new Government Accountability Office study."
GAO Report http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d041036.pdf
Amelia Gruber
"The FBI's post-Sept. 11 focus on combating terrorism has not necessarily detracted from the federal government's efforts to investigate drug-related, white-collar and violent crimes, according to a new Government Accountability Office study."
GAO Report http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d041036.pdf
Agencies urged to develop teleworker corps for emergency situations / [USA] GoveExec, Sep 2004
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0904/090104dp1.htm
Daniel Pulliam
"The Office of Personnel Management recently released updated emergency guides, emphasizing the need for agencies to have plans for employees to work from home during emergencies. OPM also released guides for the families of federal employees and managers.
The udpated emergency preparedness guides from OPM stress the need for agencies to have plans that allow "the business of government to continue during emergency situations." The guides stress that telework is an effective method that would allow employees not selected to go to the Designated Continuity of Operations facilities during an emergency to continue their work.
Agencies are supposed to develop a cadre of teleworkers who will learn to work off-site electronically and supervisors who can manage employees remotely. Eliminating paper and automating reports whenever possible will help employees to experience functioning in a virtual office. "
Full story:
Daniel Pulliam
"The Office of Personnel Management recently released updated emergency guides, emphasizing the need for agencies to have plans for employees to work from home during emergencies. OPM also released guides for the families of federal employees and managers.
The udpated emergency preparedness guides from OPM stress the need for agencies to have plans that allow "the business of government to continue during emergency situations." The guides stress that telework is an effective method that would allow employees not selected to go to the Designated Continuity of Operations facilities during an emergency to continue their work.
Agencies are supposed to develop a cadre of teleworkers who will learn to work off-site electronically and supervisors who can manage employees remotely. Eliminating paper and automating reports whenever possible will help employees to experience functioning in a virtual office. "
Full story:
Asylum seekers: let them stay / Expatica Netherlands, 8 Sep 2004
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=19&story_id=4422&name=Asylum+seekers%3A+let+them+stay
"Dutch Immigration and Integration Minister Rita Verdonk plans to unceremoniously uproot 26,000 people from the lives they have built for themselves in communities all over the Netherlands and fly them back to their countries of origin in the next few years.
According to the latest opinion poll (6 February) by pollster Maurice de Hond, 55 percent of the Dutch public support her. This is down 10 percent from a week earlier.
Nevertheless, a majority seem to agree that it is right to lead a crusade to rid the Netherlands of as many unprocessed asylum seekers as possible."
"Dutch Immigration and Integration Minister Rita Verdonk plans to unceremoniously uproot 26,000 people from the lives they have built for themselves in communities all over the Netherlands and fly them back to their countries of origin in the next few years.
According to the latest opinion poll (6 February) by pollster Maurice de Hond, 55 percent of the Dutch public support her. This is down 10 percent from a week earlier.
Nevertheless, a majority seem to agree that it is right to lead a crusade to rid the Netherlands of as many unprocessed asylum seekers as possible."
Cities reject plans to tighten asylum laws / [Switzerland] Swiss info, 7 Sep 2004
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=111&sid=5198277
"Representatives of Swiss towns and cities have criticised moves at a federal level to tighten the country's asylum laws.
At a conference on Tuesday, they argued that politicians should be focusing on helping asylum seekers to integrate into society."
"Representatives of Swiss towns and cities have criticised moves at a federal level to tighten the country's asylum laws.
At a conference on Tuesday, they argued that politicians should be focusing on helping asylum seekers to integrate into society."
Cutting Crime and Making Communities Safer - Home Secretary Launches Prolific and Priority Offender Scheme in Leeds
Sciotsman, 8 Sep 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3463552
"The 5,000 most prolific, anti-social and disruptive offenders in the country will be targeted by their local police and criminal justice agencies from today, Home Secretary David Blunkett said, as he visited Leeds and Bradford. The scheme will cut crime and make communities safer.
As it goes live in every part of England and Wales, law enforcement agencies will go on the offensive to target the small core of prolific offenders which are responsible for the most crime. The initiative is a key plank of the Home Office�s five-year strategic plan to build safer, more confident communities."
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3463552
"The 5,000 most prolific, anti-social and disruptive offenders in the country will be targeted by their local police and criminal justice agencies from today, Home Secretary David Blunkett said, as he visited Leeds and Bradford. The scheme will cut crime and make communities safer.
As it goes live in every part of England and Wales, law enforcement agencies will go on the offensive to target the small core of prolific offenders which are responsible for the most crime. The initiative is a key plank of the Home Office�s five-year strategic plan to build safer, more confident communities."
Sex trafficking in Belgium / Expatica Belgium, 8 Sep 2004
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=48&story_id=253&name=Sex+trafficking+in+Belgium
Jean O'Connor
"The trafficking of adults and minors for sexual exploitation has been of growing concern to Belgium for the past decade and has become a priority for the police and the judiciary alike."
Jean O'Connor
"The trafficking of adults and minors for sexual exploitation has been of growing concern to Belgium for the past decade and has become a priority for the police and the judiciary alike."
Youth Crime Watch being developed for Pell City schools / [USA] Daily Home 7 Sep 2004
http://www.dailyhome.com/news/2004/dh-pellcity-0907-dthompson-4i06v1644.htm
Daniel Thompson
"High school students today face different challenges and situations than past generations, and as a result, it is important for administrators to find new ways of communicating with students.
To stay in touch with Pell City's student population, school resource officer Josh Herren is working to develop a Youth Crime Watch for the Pell City School System, using some of the same principles involved in neighborhood crime watches.
"The school is like a neighborhood," Herren said. "If kids understand they have a civic responsibility for each other and their school, it would be a very positive thing."
Daniel Thompson
"High school students today face different challenges and situations than past generations, and as a result, it is important for administrators to find new ways of communicating with students.
To stay in touch with Pell City's student population, school resource officer Josh Herren is working to develop a Youth Crime Watch for the Pell City School System, using some of the same principles involved in neighborhood crime watches.
"The school is like a neighborhood," Herren said. "If kids understand they have a civic responsibility for each other and their school, it would be a very positive thing."
Belgium's battle against youth crime / Expatica Belgium, 8 Sep 2004
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=48&story_id=267&name=Belgium's+battle+against+youth+crime
Renée Cordes
"A draft law designed to make it easier to punish juvenile offenders and adults that aid and abet them has sparked a wide-ranging debate among Belgium's politicians, jurists, children's advocates and psychologists over the right way to deal with young criminals.
While proponents of the move say a reform is long overdue, others are worried that it will strip all young people of important civil rights. Still other critics argue that stigmatising young criminals will do more harm than good. Though the law in one form or another is set to take effect later this year, the fate of Belgium's long-standing youth-protection law still hangs in the balance."
Renée Cordes
"A draft law designed to make it easier to punish juvenile offenders and adults that aid and abet them has sparked a wide-ranging debate among Belgium's politicians, jurists, children's advocates and psychologists over the right way to deal with young criminals.
While proponents of the move say a reform is long overdue, others are worried that it will strip all young people of important civil rights. Still other critics argue that stigmatising young criminals will do more harm than good. Though the law in one form or another is set to take effect later this year, the fate of Belgium's long-standing youth-protection law still hangs in the balance."
Finding the right key / Stuff New Zealand, 8 Sep 2004
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3027378a6220,00.html
"In commenting on the current prison accommodation crisis, Justice Minister Phil Goff put the blame on the 1999 Withers referendum, writes The Press in an editorial.
Since that emphatic vote in favour of harsher penalties for criminals, no political party dares appear soft on crime; indeed, a bidding war has broken out between the Government and some opposition parties.
This is not the way to make justice policy. It sidelines reasoned debate, plays to prejudice, and ignores complex reality in favour of slogans. New Zealand can do better.
If we are to keep the pressure on crime and not empty the bank in the process, smart policies are needed. Simply imposing longer sentences and sending more people to prison is expensive and unproductive. The cost of new prisons is large, as is the upkeep of inmates."
"In commenting on the current prison accommodation crisis, Justice Minister Phil Goff put the blame on the 1999 Withers referendum, writes The Press in an editorial.
Since that emphatic vote in favour of harsher penalties for criminals, no political party dares appear soft on crime; indeed, a bidding war has broken out between the Government and some opposition parties.
This is not the way to make justice policy. It sidelines reasoned debate, plays to prejudice, and ignores complex reality in favour of slogans. New Zealand can do better.
If we are to keep the pressure on crime and not empty the bank in the process, smart policies are needed. Simply imposing longer sentences and sending more people to prison is expensive and unproductive. The cost of new prisons is large, as is the upkeep of inmates."
Vt. study eyes ways to cut prison population / [USA] Boston Globe, 7 Sep 2004
http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2004/09/07/vt_study_eyes_ways_to_cut_prison_population/> "Vermont's community mental health system, struggling with tight budgets and high staff turnover, may need to brace itself for a new tidal wave of responsibility, advocates say.
A new report by the Governor's Commission on Corrections Overcrowding points to community services as playing a key role in treating mental health and substance abuse problems among people the report says should be released from prison."
http://www.vermont.gov/governor/priorities/Overcrowding-Commission-Report.pdf
A new report by the Governor's Commission on Corrections Overcrowding points to community services as playing a key role in treating mental health and substance abuse problems among people the report says should be released from prison."
http://www.vermont.gov/governor/priorities/Overcrowding-Commission-Report.pdf
Belgium’s penitentiary predicament / Expatica Belgium, 8 Sep 2004
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=48&story_id=281&name=Belgium%92s+penitentiary+predicament
"As Belgian Justice Minister Marc Verwilghen prepares to unveil a 'wish list' for relieving overcrowding in the country's prisons, one cannot help but wonder whether any of the proposed measures will do anything to alleviate the problem for good.
Faced with spreading unrest among prison wardens demanding an increase in personnel and overall better working conditions, the outspoken Flemish politician was due to present a raft of suggested remedies to the Council of Ministers "
"As Belgian Justice Minister Marc Verwilghen prepares to unveil a 'wish list' for relieving overcrowding in the country's prisons, one cannot help but wonder whether any of the proposed measures will do anything to alleviate the problem for good.
Faced with spreading unrest among prison wardens demanding an increase in personnel and overall better working conditions, the outspoken Flemish politician was due to present a raft of suggested remedies to the Council of Ministers "
Expatica Netherlands, 8 Sep 2004
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=19&story_id=2958&name=Why+street+walkers+are+getting+the+boot
Aaron Gray-Block
"Once the undisputed masters of vice for tolerating paid sex and soft drugs, the Dutch title has been severly tarnished by Amsterdam's decision to close its official street prostitution zone. Subsequent vocal protests by the sex industry have failed to stop the street walkers from getting their marching orders. "
Aaron Gray-Block
"Once the undisputed masters of vice for tolerating paid sex and soft drugs, the Dutch title has been severly tarnished by Amsterdam's decision to close its official street prostitution zone. Subsequent vocal protests by the sex industry have failed to stop the street walkers from getting their marching orders. "
EU Starts Public Relations Tour of India Deutsche Welle, 7 Sep 2004
https://www.aqa.issuebits.com:8443/keswebmodule/keservlet?question1.htm
"In India, the European Union has an image problem: it is seen as both impregnable economically and shaky politically. EU officials are therefore touring the country to foster a more positive profile.
At a series of seminars with the media in the southern cities of Bangalore and Hyderabad in the past week, held at glitzy locations linked to the country's booming film industry, EU representatives have pitched for a greater understanding of what the EU does internally, on the global stage and in India itself."
"In India, the European Union has an image problem: it is seen as both impregnable economically and shaky politically. EU officials are therefore touring the country to foster a more positive profile.
At a series of seminars with the media in the southern cities of Bangalore and Hyderabad in the past week, held at glitzy locations linked to the country's booming film industry, EU representatives have pitched for a greater understanding of what the EU does internally, on the global stage and in India itself."
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Hair analysis could reveal recent travels / New Scientist, 6 Sep 2004
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996357
"Tracking the recent whereabouts of suspected criminals or uncovering the true origins of asylum-seeking immigrants might come down to a single hair, says a UK researcher.
Stuart Black and his colleagues at the University of Reading are testing a new method of determining where people have lived by measuring the ratios of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in their tissues or fluids. They presented their results at the British Association for the Advancement of Science Festival in Exeter, UK.
The isotopes, absorbed into the body from water, have predictable values for different local areas and leave a telltale signature in tissues. "Hair is particularly good because it grows about a centimetre a month," says Black. "So it actually grows a record of not only where you have been but what you have been eating and drinking.""
"Tracking the recent whereabouts of suspected criminals or uncovering the true origins of asylum-seeking immigrants might come down to a single hair, says a UK researcher.
Stuart Black and his colleagues at the University of Reading are testing a new method of determining where people have lived by measuring the ratios of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in their tissues or fluids. They presented their results at the British Association for the Advancement of Science Festival in Exeter, UK.
The isotopes, absorbed into the body from water, have predictable values for different local areas and leave a telltale signature in tissues. "Hair is particularly good because it grows about a centimetre a month," says Black. "So it actually grows a record of not only where you have been but what you have been eating and drinking.""
�2m computer to back crime fight / Manchester Online, 6 Sep 2004
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/s/129/129558_2m_computer_to_back_crime_fight.html
£2 MILLION computer system to help the authorities identify and share information about crime hotspots was launched today. The Greater Manchester Against Crime system (GMAC) enables agencies such as the ambulance service, fire service, police, council and drug workers to contribute and access information."
£2 MILLION computer system to help the authorities identify and share information about crime hotspots was launched today. The Greater Manchester Against Crime system (GMAC) enables agencies such as the ambulance service, fire service, police, council and drug workers to contribute and access information."
Monday, September 06, 2004
Police test recruits for party drugs / [Australia] NEWS.com.au, 6 Sep 2004
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10677743%5E421,00.html
"ASPIRING police officers would be forced to undergo random drug testing as the state's crime-fighting agencies come to terms with recruits who have grown up as part of the so-called 'chemical generation'.
Police Commissioner Ken Moroney told The Daily Telegraph the generation of party drug users, who might continue their use once in the force, was a 'new age' threat to policing in NSW.
Mr Moroney wants to introduce drug tests at Goulburn police academy as a three-year inquiry into drug use among the state's officers comes to a close.
He will tell the Police Integrity Commission's Operation Abelia he also wants students to get a doctor's certificate saying they are free from illicit drugs before being accepted to the academy. "
"ASPIRING police officers would be forced to undergo random drug testing as the state's crime-fighting agencies come to terms with recruits who have grown up as part of the so-called 'chemical generation'.
Police Commissioner Ken Moroney told The Daily Telegraph the generation of party drug users, who might continue their use once in the force, was a 'new age' threat to policing in NSW.
Mr Moroney wants to introduce drug tests at Goulburn police academy as a three-year inquiry into drug use among the state's officers comes to a close.
He will tell the Police Integrity Commission's Operation Abelia he also wants students to get a doctor's certificate saying they are free from illicit drugs before being accepted to the academy. "
Newcomers to Canada could be fingerprinted / The Globe and Mail, 5 Sep 2004
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040905.wfprint0905/BNStory/National/
"Virtually every newcomer to Canada would be fingerprinted and photographed under ambitious federal security proposals, The Canadian Press has learned.
A newly obtained report shows the government is looking at the collection and use of biometric data of about one million people annually, from visitors and refugee claimants to permanent residents and new citizens.
The personal identification effort could also extend to millions more who are born Canadian, possibly reviving the idea of a national identity card, indicates the report released by Citizenship and Immigration Canada under the Access to Information Act."
"Virtually every newcomer to Canada would be fingerprinted and photographed under ambitious federal security proposals, The Canadian Press has learned.
A newly obtained report shows the government is looking at the collection and use of biometric data of about one million people annually, from visitors and refugee claimants to permanent residents and new citizens.
The personal identification effort could also extend to millions more who are born Canadian, possibly reviving the idea of a national identity card, indicates the report released by Citizenship and Immigration Canada under the Access to Information Act."
Newcomers to Canada could be fingerprinted / The Globe and Mail, 5 Sep 2004
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040905.wfprint0905/BNStory/National/ "Virtually every newcomer to Canada would be fingerprinted and photographed under ambitious federal security proposals, The Canadian Press has learned.
A newly obtained report shows the government is looking at the collection and use of biometric data of about one million people annually, from visitors and refugee claimants to permanent residents and new citizens. The personal identification effort could also extend to millions more who are born Canadian, possibly reviving the idea of a national identity card, indicates the report released by Citizenship and Immigration Canada under the Access to Information Act."
A newly obtained report shows the government is looking at the collection and use of biometric data of about one million people annually, from visitors and refugee claimants to permanent residents and new citizens. The personal identification effort could also extend to millions more who are born Canadian, possibly reviving the idea of a national identity card, indicates the report released by Citizenship and Immigration Canada under the Access to Information Act."
Courts rebel on paid evidence / [Australia] Sydney Mornign Herald, 6 Sep 2004
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/05/1094322646202.html
Jonathan Pearlman
"The rise of professional experts and no-win, no-fee witnesses is clogging courts with biased evidence and has been condemned by judges.
Expert witnesses earn millions of dollars a year in NSW, with doctors, accountants and engineers charging up to $10,000 a day to give evidence.
The chief judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Jim Spigelman, told the Herald the court planned to clamp down on the unfettered use of experts whose evidence was 'at the extremes of legitimate opinion'.
'The cost of expert witnesses is the biggest single cost in litigation after legal fees,' he said.
Thousands of experts are advertised in online directories and by universities. Experts claim to have specialties in up to 20 different areas.
Some are charging on a no-win, no-fee basis - a practice outlawed in the US because it led to exaggeration and lying. "
Jonathan Pearlman
"The rise of professional experts and no-win, no-fee witnesses is clogging courts with biased evidence and has been condemned by judges.
Expert witnesses earn millions of dollars a year in NSW, with doctors, accountants and engineers charging up to $10,000 a day to give evidence.
The chief judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Jim Spigelman, told the Herald the court planned to clamp down on the unfettered use of experts whose evidence was 'at the extremes of legitimate opinion'.
'The cost of expert witnesses is the biggest single cost in litigation after legal fees,' he said.
Thousands of experts are advertised in online directories and by universities. Experts claim to have specialties in up to 20 different areas.
Some are charging on a no-win, no-fee basis - a practice outlawed in the US because it led to exaggeration and lying. "
Dereham firms help tackle computer crime / Computer Crime, 2 Sep 2004
http://www.crime-research.org/news/02.09.2004/607/
Nick Parker
"According to EDP24, the business community in a Norfolk town is helping police tackle computer crimes such as child pornography and online fraud.
Detectives from Dereham CID are seeking funds to buy equipment for their burgeoning Hi-tech Crime Unit.
Officers have appealed to local firms to dig deep to help buy the £2000 server needed to cope with the volume of data that they have to sift through.
Without the extra capacity, equipment seized in West Norfolk has to be sent out of the county for analysis when the computer crime unit at the force headquarters at Wymondham is full."
Nick Parker
"According to EDP24, the business community in a Norfolk town is helping police tackle computer crimes such as child pornography and online fraud.
Detectives from Dereham CID are seeking funds to buy equipment for their burgeoning Hi-tech Crime Unit.
Officers have appealed to local firms to dig deep to help buy the £2000 server needed to cope with the volume of data that they have to sift through.
Without the extra capacity, equipment seized in West Norfolk has to be sent out of the county for analysis when the computer crime unit at the force headquarters at Wymondham is full."
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Treatment or Incarceration / Justice Policy Institute, 2004
http://www.justicepolicy.org/article.php?id=407
Doug McVay, Vincent Schiraldi, and Jason Ziedenberg
PDF - http://www.justicepolicy.org/downloads/treatment1.pdf
Doug McVay, Vincent Schiraldi, and Jason Ziedenberg
PDF - http://www.justicepolicy.org/downloads/treatment1.pdf
Swing States: Crime, Prisons and the Future of the Nation / Justice Policy Institute, 25 Aug 2004
http://www.justicepolicy.org/article.php?id=437
Eric Lotke, Deborah Stromberg & Vincent Schiraldi
PDF - http://www.justicepolicy.org/downloads/swingstate_report.pdf
Eric Lotke, Deborah Stromberg & Vincent Schiraldi
PDF - http://www.justicepolicy.org/downloads/swingstate_report.pdf
Gangster war costing $40m / [Australia] NEWS.com.au, 5 Sep 2004
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10673906%5E26462,00.html
Carly Crawford
"THE underworld war will cost Victorian taxpayers up to $40 million.
Government agencies have so far spent $36 million ridding the streets of underworld figures whose costly criminal trials have not even started.
Police sources estimate more than $34 million has been spent since May last year in the fight, spearheaded by the Purana Taskforce, against organised crime.
And Corrections Victoria has spent $1.9 million managing the influx of gangland figures over the same period. "
Carly Crawford
"THE underworld war will cost Victorian taxpayers up to $40 million.
Government agencies have so far spent $36 million ridding the streets of underworld figures whose costly criminal trials have not even started.
Police sources estimate more than $34 million has been spent since May last year in the fight, spearheaded by the Purana Taskforce, against organised crime.
And Corrections Victoria has spent $1.9 million managing the influx of gangland figures over the same period. "
Single parents' teenagers likely to use drugs / Sunday Herald,
http://www.sundayherald.com/44605
Stephen Naysmith
"TEENAGERS from lone- parent families are more likely to abuse alcohol, take up smoking and use illegal drugs, according to new research.
The findings, made by psychologists inves t igating bullying will encourage traditionalists, but both res earchers and campaigners insisted they should not be used to undermine single parents.
The Social Inclusion and Diversity Research unit at York St John College is undertaking long-term research into bullying among young people. They questioned 1832 12 to 16-year-olds about drug and alcohol use and gathered information about their family background.
Adolescents from lone- father families were more likely than any other group to experiment with illegal drugs, particularly cannabis: 31% used illegal drugs compared with 16% of those from two-parent households. They were also, at 28%, more likely to smoke tobacco .
Almost a quarter of those from lone-mother families used illegal drugs. They were also the most likely of all family groups to use alcohol, 83% of them reporting underage drinking � although this figure was high for all groups, at around 80%."
Stephen Naysmith
"TEENAGERS from lone- parent families are more likely to abuse alcohol, take up smoking and use illegal drugs, according to new research.
The findings, made by psychologists inves t igating bullying will encourage traditionalists, but both res earchers and campaigners insisted they should not be used to undermine single parents.
The Social Inclusion and Diversity Research unit at York St John College is undertaking long-term research into bullying among young people. They questioned 1832 12 to 16-year-olds about drug and alcohol use and gathered information about their family background.
Adolescents from lone- father families were more likely than any other group to experiment with illegal drugs, particularly cannabis: 31% used illegal drugs compared with 16% of those from two-parent households. They were also, at 28%, more likely to smoke tobacco .
Almost a quarter of those from lone-mother families used illegal drugs. They were also the most likely of all family groups to use alcohol, 83% of them reporting underage drinking � although this figure was high for all groups, at around 80%."
Friday, September 03, 2004
Satellite tracking of offenders: UK trial gets greenlight from Blunkett< / PublicTechnology, 3 Sep 2004
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1693
"Satellite tracking will keep close tabs on offenders in three areas of the country in a groundbreaking development launched yesterday by David Blunkett, the Home Office Home Secretary.
The tracking technology uses a satellite Global Positioning System, backed up by mobile phone technology in some cases, to monitor offenders' movements and ensure they are complying with the restrictions placed on them.
The pilots will initially run for 12 months. After that the Government will decide whether to extend the use of tracking to the whole of England and Wales. The pilots will be externally evaluated by researchers appointed by the Home Office. The pilots are taking place under the current electronic monitoring contracts. The current suppliers are Securicor, Reliance and Premier. "
"Satellite tracking will keep close tabs on offenders in three areas of the country in a groundbreaking development launched yesterday by David Blunkett, the Home Office Home Secretary.
The tracking technology uses a satellite Global Positioning System, backed up by mobile phone technology in some cases, to monitor offenders' movements and ensure they are complying with the restrictions placed on them.
The pilots will initially run for 12 months. After that the Government will decide whether to extend the use of tracking to the whole of England and Wales. The pilots will be externally evaluated by researchers appointed by the Home Office. The pilots are taking place under the current electronic monitoring contracts. The current suppliers are Securicor, Reliance and Premier. "
Recovery Advocates, Drug Courts Seek Common Ground at Conference / Join Together, 2 Sep 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/features/reader/0%2C1854%2C574458%2C00.htmlBob Curley
"Drug courts need to be more understanding of relapse and more open to the broad range of interventions -- particularly methadone -- that help their clients beat addiction, recovery advocates told judges, prosecutors, and others attending the recent New England Association of Drug Court Professionals (NEADCP) annual conference in Boston, Mass."
"Drug courts need to be more understanding of relapse and more open to the broad range of interventions -- particularly methadone -- that help their clients beat addiction, recovery advocates told judges, prosecutors, and others attending the recent New England Association of Drug Court Professionals (NEADCP) annual conference in Boston, Mass."
Blunkett pilot to track offenders via satellite / The Register, 2 Sep 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/02/satellite_monitoring/Lucy Sherriff
"David Blunkett is set to launch a year-long pilot study of his plan to track offenders by satellite. The system will allow police to monitor the movements of the tagged person 24 hours a day, and will give their location to within just a few metres
The scheme is designed for those who have served part of a custodial sentence and have been released, and those who have been given a curfew, for example. The idea is that the tracking devices would be fitted to people that police and probation officers feel are likely to contact their victims, or break the terms of their release from jail: sex-offenders, wife beaters and persistent offenders, for example."
"David Blunkett is set to launch a year-long pilot study of his plan to track offenders by satellite. The system will allow police to monitor the movements of the tagged person 24 hours a day, and will give their location to within just a few metres
The scheme is designed for those who have served part of a custodial sentence and have been released, and those who have been given a curfew, for example. The idea is that the tracking devices would be fitted to people that police and probation officers feel are likely to contact their victims, or break the terms of their release from jail: sex-offenders, wife beaters and persistent offenders, for example."
Blunkett's satellite tagging: the tripe behind the hype / The Register, 2 Sep 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/02/blunkett_tagging_hype/
John Lettice
"Today's announcement of the Home Office's satellite tracking pilot is a classic of its genre. As is the case with so many Blair government initiatives the earth was noisily promised in the run-up, and continued to be promised by government spokesmen this morning, but the pilot itself is so spectacularly modest, so largely low-tech, that it will provide little or no useful information about the viability of the 'prison without bars' that David Blunkett will continue to dangle before our eyes through the upcoming election campaign.
So, as the nonsense flows from the Home Office over the next 12 months, just you remember that the tech tinkering cannot and will not take the Home Office's 5,000 most prolific offenders (as specified in its Strategic Plan) out of circulation by putting them into a virtual pen. Tagging and tracking is (as will become clear in the years following the next election) at best a system that can be used on a relatively small scale in conjunction with early release and rehabilitation schemes for offenders who want to be rehabilitated."
John Lettice
"Today's announcement of the Home Office's satellite tracking pilot is a classic of its genre. As is the case with so many Blair government initiatives the earth was noisily promised in the run-up, and continued to be promised by government spokesmen this morning, but the pilot itself is so spectacularly modest, so largely low-tech, that it will provide little or no useful information about the viability of the 'prison without bars' that David Blunkett will continue to dangle before our eyes through the upcoming election campaign.
So, as the nonsense flows from the Home Office over the next 12 months, just you remember that the tech tinkering cannot and will not take the Home Office's 5,000 most prolific offenders (as specified in its Strategic Plan) out of circulation by putting them into a virtual pen. Tagging and tracking is (as will become clear in the years following the next election) at best a system that can be used on a relatively small scale in conjunction with early release and rehabilitation schemes for offenders who want to be rehabilitated."
Prisoners pen anti-crime booklet / BBC NEWS, 2 Sep 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/3618440.stm"A new crime prevention booklet being launched in Swansea contains some expert advice - courtesy of inmates at the city's prison.
Offenders have provided tips on how to steer clear of crimes such as fraud, car crime, violence and burglary.
And they have backed them up with their own real-life experiences.
It is aimed at improving their literacy skills to help them get a job and at making them focus on the impact of their crimes on the victims. "
Offenders have provided tips on how to steer clear of crimes such as fraud, car crime, violence and burglary.
And they have backed them up with their own real-life experiences.
It is aimed at improving their literacy skills to help them get a job and at making them focus on the impact of their crimes on the victims. "
Sex is their business / Economist, 2 Sep 2004
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3151258
"There is perennial discussion of reforming prostitution laws. During the 1990s, the talk was all of liberalisation. Now the wind is blowing the other way. In 1999, Sweden criminalised the buying of sex. France then cracked down on soliciting and outlawed commercial sex with vulnerable women�a category that includes pregnant women. Britain began to enforce new laws against kerb-crawling earlier this year, and is now considering more restrictive legislation (see article). Outside a few pragmatic enclaves, attitudes are hardening. Whereas, ten years ago, the discussion was mostly about how to manage prostitution and make it less harmful, the aim now is to find ways to stamp it out."
"There is perennial discussion of reforming prostitution laws. During the 1990s, the talk was all of liberalisation. Now the wind is blowing the other way. In 1999, Sweden criminalised the buying of sex. France then cracked down on soliciting and outlawed commercial sex with vulnerable women�a category that includes pregnant women. Britain began to enforce new laws against kerb-crawling earlier this year, and is now considering more restrictive legislation (see article). Outside a few pragmatic enclaves, attitudes are hardening. Whereas, ten years ago, the discussion was mostly about how to manage prostitution and make it less harmful, the aim now is to find ways to stamp it out."
Evaluation of the Bail Amendment (Repeat Offenders) Act 2002 / [Australia] BOCSAR, Aug 2004
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/bocsar1.nsf/pages/cjb83_0
"Amendments to the Bail Act1 introduced by the NSW Government in 2002 have significantly increased the rate of bail refusal and substantially reduced the number of people absconding on bail, according to a new report released today by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
The amendments to the Bail Act were made following an earlier BOCSAR report which revealed that, in some categories of offence, up to 25 per cent of defendants released on bail by the NSW Local Court were absconding (failing to appear in court)."
PDF - http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/bocsar1.nsf/files/cjb83.pdf/$file/cjb83.pdf
"Amendments to the Bail Act1 introduced by the NSW Government in 2002 have significantly increased the rate of bail refusal and substantially reduced the number of people absconding on bail, according to a new report released today by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
The amendments to the Bail Act were made following an earlier BOCSAR report which revealed that, in some categories of offence, up to 25 per cent of defendants released on bail by the NSW Local Court were absconding (failing to appear in court)."
PDF - http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/bocsar1.nsf/files/cjb83.pdf/$file/cjb83.pdf
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