http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1127prop3627.html
Abusive substances / Crime Reduction / Sentencing
Troy Andersen
"Non-violent drug offenders who were diverted to rehabilitation programs under Proposition 36 had higher rates of rearrest than those who remained in the criminal-justice system, a UCLA study released this week says.
Researchers found that offenders who enrolled in treatment programs created by the 2000 ballot measure were 48 percent more likely to be arrested for a drug offense within a year than those who entered treatment through drug courts or as a term of their probation.
In fact, so many severely addicted people were referred to treatment rather than the courts that inpatient residential programs were overwhelmed and many clients were placed instead in outpatient programs."
Evaluation of the Substance Abuse and Crime Preventiion Act - 2003 Report - http://www.uclaisap.org/Prop36/documents/112344%20SACPA%20FINAL%202003%20REPORT%20092304.pdf
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
UK 'violating children's rights' / BBC, 29 N0v 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4051079.stm
Young Offenders
"Ministers were failing 'to embrace human rights and equality for children', the Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) said.
Jaap Doek, chair of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, said the UK imprisons more children than 'most other industrialised countries'.
A Home Office spokeswoman said custody was only used as a 'last resort'. "
STATE OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS REPORT 2004
http://www.crae.org.uk/Word%20docs/State%20of%20chrights%202004.doc
PDF - http://www.crae.org.uk/pdfs/State%20of%20chrights%202004.pdf
Young Offenders
"Ministers were failing 'to embrace human rights and equality for children', the Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) said.
Jaap Doek, chair of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, said the UK imprisons more children than 'most other industrialised countries'.
A Home Office spokeswoman said custody was only used as a 'last resort'. "
STATE OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS REPORT 2004
http://www.crae.org.uk/Word%20docs/State%20of%20chrights%202004.doc
PDF - http://www.crae.org.uk/pdfs/State%20of%20chrights%202004.pdf
Id Cards Plan - New Fines for System Abuse / Scotsman, 29 Nov 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3820655
David Barrett
"Failing to tell the Government when you move house will carry a fine of up to �1,000 under new identity card plans, it emerged today.
Home Secretary David Blunkett�s Identity Cards Bill also revealed that the controversial documents could become compulsory sooner than previously thought.
Ministers had said they would wait until 80% of adults had registered for a voluntary scheme before making it mandatory, but the Bill makes no reference to this and leaves open the option of forcing people to register sooner.
Failing to sign up will carry a civil fine of up to �2,500 while protesters who submit a spurious or spoiled application could be hit with a fine of �1,000.
Not updating registered details such as your address will be punishable with up to a �1,000 fine in the county courts � or the sheriff courts in Scotland � as will failing to renew a card."
David Barrett
"Failing to tell the Government when you move house will carry a fine of up to �1,000 under new identity card plans, it emerged today.
Home Secretary David Blunkett�s Identity Cards Bill also revealed that the controversial documents could become compulsory sooner than previously thought.
Ministers had said they would wait until 80% of adults had registered for a voluntary scheme before making it mandatory, but the Bill makes no reference to this and leaves open the option of forcing people to register sooner.
Failing to sign up will carry a civil fine of up to �2,500 while protesters who submit a spurious or spoiled application could be hit with a fine of �1,000.
Not updating registered details such as your address will be punishable with up to a �1,000 fine in the county courts � or the sheriff courts in Scotland � as will failing to renew a card."
Germany must do better on immigration / Expatica Germany, 29 Nov 2004
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=52&story_id=14466&name=Germany+must+do+better+on+immigration%2C+say+labour%2C+business+chiefs+
"German employers and trade union leaders have joined forces to call for more to be done by politicians to improve the social integration of foreigners living in the country.
The appeal comes amid a continuing debate on immigration in which politicians of the centre and right have been demanding more effort from Muslims and other foreigners in Germany to adapt to the German way of life.
But employers' federation president Dieter Hundt and trade union federation chairman Michael Sommer said in a joint statement issued on Sunday it was up to politicians to create the conditions for a society 'which offers room
for different cultural identities and development opportunities'. "
"German employers and trade union leaders have joined forces to call for more to be done by politicians to improve the social integration of foreigners living in the country.
The appeal comes amid a continuing debate on immigration in which politicians of the centre and right have been demanding more effort from Muslims and other foreigners in Germany to adapt to the German way of life.
But employers' federation president Dieter Hundt and trade union federation chairman Michael Sommer said in a joint statement issued on Sunday it was up to politicians to create the conditions for a society 'which offers room
for different cultural identities and development opportunities'. "
Community policing, step one / [USA] Denver Post, 29 Nov 2004
DenverPost.com - LOCAL NEWS:
Active communities / Crime Reduction / Police
Sean Kelly
"Building a police department from scratch allows a former British “bobby” to emphasize a closeness with residents. Armed with a radar gun, residents in the suburban city of Lone Tree can fire at will at speeding cars. They note the speed, jot down the license plate information and report it to police. Speeders then get a polite letter in the mail asking them to please slow down."
Active communities / Crime Reduction / Police
Sean Kelly
"Building a police department from scratch allows a former British “bobby” to emphasize a closeness with residents. Armed with a radar gun, residents in the suburban city of Lone Tree can fire at will at speeding cars. They note the speed, jot down the license plate information and report it to police. Speeders then get a polite letter in the mail asking them to please slow down."
Monday, November 29, 2004
Analysis: Granting leave to murderers / [Israel] Jerusalem Post, 28 Nov 2004
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1101615865484
Dan Izenberg
"The Prison Service started granting leaves to prisoners in the 1980s. In the two decades since then, a total of 80 prisoners have not returned, including eight sentenced from 20 to 30 years and 10 sentenced to life imprisonment."
Dan Izenberg
"The Prison Service started granting leaves to prisoners in the 1980s. In the two decades since then, a total of 80 prisoners have not returned, including eight sentenced from 20 to 30 years and 10 sentenced to life imprisonment."
TENSE? NERVOUS? CAN�T RELAX? YOU�RE NOT ALONE ... But then politicians can find public paranoia very useful / Sunday Herald, 28 Nov 2004
http://www.sundayherald.com/46346
Torcuil Crichton
Overview - ID cards, Big Borhter, terrorism, police state, ASBO's, DNA, police powers.
Torcuil Crichton
Overview - ID cards, Big Borhter, terrorism, police state, ASBO's, DNA, police powers.
Social engineering - where the user is the weakest link / The Register, 26 Nov 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/26/social_engineering_security/
Fran Howarth, Bloor Research
Anyone who has been hit by a computer virus will be doubly wary of unexpected emails in the future that may contain viruses. So why do people still keep clicking on attachments? However much security technology a company deploys, human nature will always be the weakest link in the chain.
With the problem of spam growing daily, accounting for around 90 per cent of email traffic in the US by some estimates, companies are fighting an uphill battle to purge spam from their networks. But what is spam to one user is a legitimate communication to another. For example, a low-price mortgage offer might be just what one user had been waiting for, whereas another will find this an unwanted intrusion.
Many vendors offer technology that looks at emails to see if they contain code associated with known attacks and will block these from entering the system. However, many companies have a policy of quarantining suspicious emails so that users can decide for themselves whether or not to open them."
Fran Howarth, Bloor Research
Anyone who has been hit by a computer virus will be doubly wary of unexpected emails in the future that may contain viruses. So why do people still keep clicking on attachments? However much security technology a company deploys, human nature will always be the weakest link in the chain.
With the problem of spam growing daily, accounting for around 90 per cent of email traffic in the US by some estimates, companies are fighting an uphill battle to purge spam from their networks. But what is spam to one user is a legitimate communication to another. For example, a low-price mortgage offer might be just what one user had been waiting for, whereas another will find this an unwanted intrusion.
Many vendors offer technology that looks at emails to see if they contain code associated with known attacks and will block these from entering the system. However, many companies have a policy of quarantining suspicious emails so that users can decide for themselves whether or not to open them."
Move to change migration law / [Australia[ Sydeny Morning Herald, 29 N0v 2004
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/11/28/1101577355090.html
Cynthia Banham
"A group of high-profile lawyers, appalled by a recent High Court decision to uphold the Federal Government's right to detain asylum seekers indefinitely, have banded together to seek an overhaul of migration law.
In an unexpected move, the Law Council of Australia has set up a working group to examine possible legal reform of mandatory detention, saying lawyers have a responsibility to fight for the 'fundamental human right' to liberty.
In August the High Court said the Migration Act - which allowed failed asylum seekers who could not be deported because no other country would accept them to be locked up for indefinite periods - was valid, a fact one of the majority judges, Justice Michael McHugh, said was 'tragic'.
The working group, which will be chaired by the Law Council president, Stephen Southwood, QC, and includes Sydney barrister Bret Walker, SC, will examine whether any further legal challenges are possible to the act."
Cynthia Banham
"A group of high-profile lawyers, appalled by a recent High Court decision to uphold the Federal Government's right to detain asylum seekers indefinitely, have banded together to seek an overhaul of migration law.
In an unexpected move, the Law Council of Australia has set up a working group to examine possible legal reform of mandatory detention, saying lawyers have a responsibility to fight for the 'fundamental human right' to liberty.
In August the High Court said the Migration Act - which allowed failed asylum seekers who could not be deported because no other country would accept them to be locked up for indefinite periods - was valid, a fact one of the majority judges, Justice Michael McHugh, said was 'tragic'.
The working group, which will be chaired by the Law Council president, Stephen Southwood, QC, and includes Sydney barrister Bret Walker, SC, will examine whether any further legal challenges are possible to the act."
Sunday, November 28, 2004
New York Times Reporter Alex Berenson Volunteers for Full 5-Second TASER Hit / Press Release 26 Nov 2004
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041126/nyf044_1.html
"'We are incredulous that Mr. Berenson failed to mention in his latest article attacking TASER International safety that he felt the TASER system was safe enough that he voluntarily allowed himself to take a five-second exposure from the TASER,' said Rick Smith, CEO of TASER International, Inc. 'We believe it was disingenuous of Mr. Berenson to write an article disputing the safety of TASER devices and omit such a critical piece of information as his own personal experience as well as our written statement to him on this matter.'"
"'We are incredulous that Mr. Berenson failed to mention in his latest article attacking TASER International safety that he felt the TASER system was safe enough that he voluntarily allowed himself to take a five-second exposure from the TASER,' said Rick Smith, CEO of TASER International, Inc. 'We believe it was disingenuous of Mr. Berenson to write an article disputing the safety of TASER devices and omit such a critical piece of information as his own personal experience as well as our written statement to him on this matter.'"
Stunned again / [Australia] The Age, 23 Nov 2004
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/11/22/1100972323593.html?oneclick=true
John Mangan
"Victoria's police have welcomed the go-ahead to use stun guns. But legal and civil rights groups say the Taser is not as safe or effective as it's made out to be. according to the gun's supporters - such as the Victorian Government, which last week approved its use by police - it doesn't cause any lasting injury or ill-effects.
But while this space-age device, known by its brand name, Taser, sounds perfect for police wanting to disarm villains without running the risk of incurring fatalities using their conventional weapons, critics are increasingly concerned that authorities are rushing into approving weapons that might have unforeseen and disturbing consequences."
John Mangan
"Victoria's police have welcomed the go-ahead to use stun guns. But legal and civil rights groups say the Taser is not as safe or effective as it's made out to be. according to the gun's supporters - such as the Victorian Government, which last week approved its use by police - it doesn't cause any lasting injury or ill-effects.
But while this space-age device, known by its brand name, Taser, sounds perfect for police wanting to disarm villains without running the risk of incurring fatalities using their conventional weapons, critics are increasingly concerned that authorities are rushing into approving weapons that might have unforeseen and disturbing consequences."
Claims Over Tasers' Safety Are Challenged / The New York Times, 26 Nov 2004
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/26/business/26taser.html
Alex Berenson
"The Air Force laboratory that conducted the study now says that it actually found that the guns could be dangerous and that more data was needed to evaluate their risks. The guns 'may cause several unintended effects, albeit with low probabilities of occurrence,' the laboratory said last week in a statement released after a symposium on Tasers, as the company's guns are known, and other weapons intended to incapacitate people without killing them."
Alex Berenson
"The Air Force laboratory that conducted the study now says that it actually found that the guns could be dangerous and that more data was needed to evaluate their risks. The guns 'may cause several unintended effects, albeit with low probabilities of occurrence,' the laboratory said last week in a statement released after a symposium on Tasers, as the company's guns are known, and other weapons intended to incapacitate people without killing them."
Taser Claims New York Times Article Was One-Sided / [USA] Police One, 20 July 2004
http://www.policeone.com/police-products/less-lethal/taser/articles/90478/
"Scottsdale-based Taser International said Monday a New York Times article critical of the stun gun's safety and the company's testing efforts was one-sided because it didn't mention the number of lives the weapon saved.
In a lengthy statement issued after the story ran in Sunday editions of the Times and the Tribune, the company 'strongly refuted' a report that said the company has little evidence to support repeated claims its guns aren't deadly. "
"Scottsdale-based Taser International said Monday a New York Times article critical of the stun gun's safety and the company's testing efforts was one-sided because it didn't mention the number of lives the weapon saved.
In a lengthy statement issued after the story ran in Sunday editions of the Times and the Tribune, the company 'strongly refuted' a report that said the company has little evidence to support repeated claims its guns aren't deadly. "
MP slams spending on asylum seekers / ic Essex, 25 Nov 2004
http://icessex.icnetwork.co.uk/essexheadlines/tm_objectid=14913267&method=full&siteid=100927&headline=mp-slams-spending-on-asylum-seekers-name_page.html
Steve Neale
"In a shock response last Friday, the House of Commons was told how the figure had grown from £413million in 1997 to £1,070million in 2002/03.
Mr Spink said he wanted to see more money spent on crucial public services.
Criticising the asylum spending, he added: 'Taxpayers' hard earned cash should be going to pensioners, health and more police to find and send back failed asylum seekers immediately.'"
Steve Neale
"In a shock response last Friday, the House of Commons was told how the figure had grown from £413million in 1997 to £1,070million in 2002/03.
Mr Spink said he wanted to see more money spent on crucial public services.
Criticising the asylum spending, he added: 'Taxpayers' hard earned cash should be going to pensioners, health and more police to find and send back failed asylum seekers immediately.'"
Article questions Taser conclusions on safety study / [USA] East Valley Tribune , 28 Nov 2004
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=32225
"In October, Scottsdalebased Taser International said a Defense Department study concluded that the company�s stun guns were 'generally safe and effective.' But a New York Times report Friday called into question the company�s conclusion about the research, driving shares of Taser down 7 percent.
The Times reported that the Air Force Research Laboratory, which did the study, disclosed last week at a symposium that the guns may be dangerous and that more information is necessary to evaluate any risks
The Times reported that the lab said the weapons 'may cause several unintended effects, albeit with estimated low probabilities of occurrence. Available laboratory data are too limited to adequately quantify possible risks of ventricular fibrillation or seizures, particularly in susceptible populations,' "
"In October, Scottsdalebased Taser International said a Defense Department study concluded that the company�s stun guns were 'generally safe and effective.' But a New York Times report Friday called into question the company�s conclusion about the research, driving shares of Taser down 7 percent.
The Times reported that the Air Force Research Laboratory, which did the study, disclosed last week at a symposium that the guns may be dangerous and that more information is necessary to evaluate any risks
The Times reported that the lab said the weapons 'may cause several unintended effects, albeit with estimated low probabilities of occurrence. Available laboratory data are too limited to adequately quantify possible risks of ventricular fibrillation or seizures, particularly in susceptible populations,' "
Taser not as popular in prisons as on street / [USA] East Valley Tribune, 28 Nov 2004
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=32201
Ray stern
"Inside the prisons, Tasers are used only at the highest inmate security levels, Sublett said. Even then, they can be applied only after permission is given by a supervisor, who must then witness the action.
The institutional setting provides alternatives to force that police officers on the street don�t always have, he said.
'Inmates are with us in some cases for years,' he said. 'Relationship -building is important.'
Prison supervisors feel that over- equipping detention officers leads to lessauthoritative guards who can�t get an inmate�s attention with verbal commands, he said. "
Ray stern
"Inside the prisons, Tasers are used only at the highest inmate security levels, Sublett said. Even then, they can be applied only after permission is given by a supervisor, who must then witness the action.
The institutional setting provides alternatives to force that police officers on the street don�t always have, he said.
'Inmates are with us in some cases for years,' he said. 'Relationship -building is important.'
Prison supervisors feel that over- equipping detention officers leads to lessauthoritative guards who can�t get an inmate�s attention with verbal commands, he said. "
'Weeding' out crime makes way for 'seeding' efforts / [USA] TCPalm, 27 Nov 2004
http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/local_news/article/0,2545,TCP_16736_3357337,00.html
Derek Simmonsen
Acitve Communities / Police
"The task force, formed to 'weed' out criminals, is the only side of Weed & Seed of St. Lucie County that some residents see. That's why organizers are hoping to put the focus on the 'seed' side next year, including neighborhood restoration, job training and improving quality of life.
'The weeding is only 50 percent of it,' Sheriff Ken Mascara said. 'We are definitely looking forward to seeing the seeding side. Through social services and bringing training in to residents � that's going to be very beneficial to the whole community.'
The task force, officially known as Operation Community Concern, had its roots in past joint projects between Fort Pierce police and the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office to target drugs, prostitution and other crimes. "
Derek Simmonsen
Acitve Communities / Police
"The task force, formed to 'weed' out criminals, is the only side of Weed & Seed of St. Lucie County that some residents see. That's why organizers are hoping to put the focus on the 'seed' side next year, including neighborhood restoration, job training and improving quality of life.
'The weeding is only 50 percent of it,' Sheriff Ken Mascara said. 'We are definitely looking forward to seeing the seeding side. Through social services and bringing training in to residents � that's going to be very beneficial to the whole community.'
The task force, officially known as Operation Community Concern, had its roots in past joint projects between Fort Pierce police and the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office to target drugs, prostitution and other crimes. "
McCreadie sticks to his guns / [Australia] The Mercury, 28 Nov 2004]
http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,11520404%5E3462,00.html
Rohan Wade
Police / Crime Reduction
"Mr McCreadie said benchmarking had shown itself to be crucial in dramatically reducing crime by allowing police to use best practice and focus on problem areas.
'Tasmania Police is a $140 million organisation with 1600 people and until 1998-99, when we introduced benchmarks, was never particularly accountable,' he said"
Rohan Wade
Police / Crime Reduction
"Mr McCreadie said benchmarking had shown itself to be crucial in dramatically reducing crime by allowing police to use best practice and focus on problem areas.
'Tasmania Police is a $140 million organisation with 1600 people and until 1998-99, when we introduced benchmarks, was never particularly accountable,' he said"
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Town Turns to Prayer to Beat Crime / Scotsman, 26 Nov 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3809364
Lesley Richardson
Police in a seaside town are turning to the power of prayer to tackle crime in the area, it emerged today.
Dorset Police Chief Superintendent Bob Boulton gave his blessing to the initiative after reading a news article about prayer reducing crime in west London.
He addressed a group of church leaders in Boscombe, Dorset when he passed on some alarming crime statistics for the seaside town and encouraged them to pray.
Mr Boulton said: �At the end of the day it�s another way of engaging part of the community, in particular churchgoers, in the fight against crime.
�I haven�t done any research myself to qualify whether the article was genuinely accurate, but part of the issue is that, often, the fear of crime is significantly disproportionate to the risk of crime."
Lesley Richardson
Police in a seaside town are turning to the power of prayer to tackle crime in the area, it emerged today.
Dorset Police Chief Superintendent Bob Boulton gave his blessing to the initiative after reading a news article about prayer reducing crime in west London.
He addressed a group of church leaders in Boscombe, Dorset when he passed on some alarming crime statistics for the seaside town and encouraged them to pray.
Mr Boulton said: �At the end of the day it�s another way of engaging part of the community, in particular churchgoers, in the fight against crime.
�I haven�t done any research myself to qualify whether the article was genuinely accurate, but part of the issue is that, often, the fear of crime is significantly disproportionate to the risk of crime."
Diverted drug offenders likely to relapse, UCLA finds / [USA] Mercury News, 26 Nov 2004
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/10277072.htm
"Drug offenders sent to treatment instead of jail in the early days of California's Proposition 36 were far more likely to be re-arrested than were criminals sent to rehabilitation through other diversion programs, says a UCLA study released Friday.
The findings by University of California, Los Angeles, researchers echo opponents of the initiative approved by 61 percent of voters in November 2000. Judges and prosecutors favored drug court programs that include stronger penalties for offenders who skip or fail treatment programs, while Proposition 36 requires that first- and second-time nonviolent drug offenders be sent to treatment programs instead of prison."
"Drug offenders sent to treatment instead of jail in the early days of California's Proposition 36 were far more likely to be re-arrested than were criminals sent to rehabilitation through other diversion programs, says a UCLA study released Friday.
The findings by University of California, Los Angeles, researchers echo opponents of the initiative approved by 61 percent of voters in November 2000. Judges and prosecutors favored drug court programs that include stronger penalties for offenders who skip or fail treatment programs, while Proposition 36 requires that first- and second-time nonviolent drug offenders be sent to treatment programs instead of prison."
Report slams penal system / [Australia] Townsville Bulletin, 22 Nov 2004
http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,11459965%255E14787,00.html
"THE Queensland Government has created a cycle of criminal reoffending across the State, according to an independent report released yesterday which slams the prison system for 'dumping unprepared, under-resourced and unassisted prisoners back into the community'.
The report, 'Incorrections: investigating prison release practice and policy in Queensland and its impact on community safety', is an independent study conducted by the Queensland University of Technology for the Uniting Care Centre for Social Justice (UCCSJ). - http://www.ucareqld.com.au/SocialJustice/Documents/prison%20report%20tamara%20walsh.doc "
"THE Queensland Government has created a cycle of criminal reoffending across the State, according to an independent report released yesterday which slams the prison system for 'dumping unprepared, under-resourced and unassisted prisoners back into the community'.
The report, 'Incorrections: investigating prison release practice and policy in Queensland and its impact on community safety', is an independent study conducted by the Queensland University of Technology for the Uniting Care Centre for Social Justice (UCCSJ). - http://www.ucareqld.com.au/SocialJustice/Documents/prison%20report%20tamara%20walsh.doc "
Police Demand Action to Cut Drugs in Prison / Scotsman, 26 Nov 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3808426
Tim Walsh
"Senior police officers today urged the Home Office to do more to cut the smuggling of drugs into prisons.
In a letter to prisons minister Paul Goggins, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said the levels of illegal substances in jails could affect inmates� attempts to overcome addictions.
ACPO drug treatment spokesman, Deputy Chief Constable Howard Roberts of Nottinghamshire Police, told the minister: �Substantial investment has been put into drugs treatment by the Government and positive results appear to be flowing from that investment, and co-ordinated schemes.
�To maximise the effectiveness of that investment, it is most important that within the prison environment, inmates have as drug-free an environment as possible.
�This maximises the opportunity to be drug-free upon release. Prison can present a key opportunity to change the futures of prisoners with respect to their drugs misuse, whilst in a controlled environment.�"
Tim Walsh
"Senior police officers today urged the Home Office to do more to cut the smuggling of drugs into prisons.
In a letter to prisons minister Paul Goggins, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said the levels of illegal substances in jails could affect inmates� attempts to overcome addictions.
ACPO drug treatment spokesman, Deputy Chief Constable Howard Roberts of Nottinghamshire Police, told the minister: �Substantial investment has been put into drugs treatment by the Government and positive results appear to be flowing from that investment, and co-ordinated schemes.
�To maximise the effectiveness of that investment, it is most important that within the prison environment, inmates have as drug-free an environment as possible.
�This maximises the opportunity to be drug-free upon release. Prison can present a key opportunity to change the futures of prisoners with respect to their drugs misuse, whilst in a controlled environment.�"
Trafficking of Bangladeshi women—cause for concern / Independent-Bangladesh, 26 Nov 2004
http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/nov/26/26112004wo.htm
Haroon Habib
"An estimated 20,000 Bangladeshi women and children are trafficked every year, the destinations being from the major cities in India, Pakistan and the Middle East. In the last 30 years, over one million of them had gone out of the country this way, and many of them are forced to become either sex workers, domestic helpers, camel jockeys and beggars. "
Haroon Habib
"An estimated 20,000 Bangladeshi women and children are trafficked every year, the destinations being from the major cities in India, Pakistan and the Middle East. In the last 30 years, over one million of them had gone out of the country this way, and many of them are forced to become either sex workers, domestic helpers, camel jockeys and beggars. "
U.S. will soon add computer chips to passports International Herald Tribune, 27 Nov 2004
http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/11/26/news/passport.html
"The State Department will soon begin issuing passports that carry information about the traveler in a computer chip embedded in the cardboard cover as well as on its printed pages.
.
Privacy advocates say the new format, developed in response to security concerns after the Sept. 11 attacks, will be vulnerable to electronic snooping by anyone within several feet. Internal State Department documents, obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, show that Canada, Germany and Britain have raised the same concern"
"The State Department will soon begin issuing passports that carry information about the traveler in a computer chip embedded in the cardboard cover as well as on its printed pages.
.
Privacy advocates say the new format, developed in response to security concerns after the Sept. 11 attacks, will be vulnerable to electronic snooping by anyone within several feet. Internal State Department documents, obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, show that Canada, Germany and Britain have raised the same concern"
Fairness for former prisoners / [USA] International Herald Tribune, 26 Nov 2004
http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/11/25/opinion/edhousing.html
"Fairness dictates that people who have served their sentences and taken up crime-free lives should be permitted access to decent housing for their families and themselves. The new report, however, found that several public housing authorities barred applicants indefinitely even for records of arrests that never led to conviction or for petty offenses that were never intended to be used for screening purposes under the federal housing law."
No Second Chance
People with Criminal Records Denied Access to Public Housing -
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2004/usa1104/
PDF - http://www.hrw.org/reports/2004/usa1104/usa1104.pdf
"Fairness dictates that people who have served their sentences and taken up crime-free lives should be permitted access to decent housing for their families and themselves. The new report, however, found that several public housing authorities barred applicants indefinitely even for records of arrests that never led to conviction or for petty offenses that were never intended to be used for screening purposes under the federal housing law."
No Second Chance
People with Criminal Records Denied Access to Public Housing -
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2004/usa1104/
PDF - http://www.hrw.org/reports/2004/usa1104/usa1104.pdf
Can ID cards beat terror and fraud? / Scotsman, 26 Nov 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion.cfm?id=1359472004
JOHN BARRETT AND IAN WOODHEAD
Points of view from the joint branch board secretary of Lothian and Borders Police Federation and the Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West.
JOHN BARRETT AND IAN WOODHEAD
Points of view from the joint branch board secretary of Lothian and Borders Police Federation and the Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West.
Friday, November 26, 2004
An ear for crime Medical News Today, 23 Nov 2004
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/?newsid=16735
Forensic Science /Firearms
"Chicago introduces USC-engineered neural gunshot sensors in high crime areas
A University of Southern California biomedical engineer's pioneering brain cell research has led directly to a patented system that is now being rolled out to stem gun violence on the streets of Chicago and Los Angeles.
The engineer is Theodore Berger, director of the USC Center for Neural Engineering whose life's work has been deciphering the way in which nerve cells code messages to each other.
Now, a camera-and-microphone surveillance system is using his insights to recognize -- instantly, and with high accuracy - the sound of a gunshot, and only a gunshot within a two-block radius.
It can then locate, precisely, where the shot was fired; turn a camera to center the shooter in the camera viewfinder, and make a 911 call to a central police station. The police can then take control of the camera to track the shooter and dispatch officers to the scene. "
Forensic Science /Firearms
"Chicago introduces USC-engineered neural gunshot sensors in high crime areas
A University of Southern California biomedical engineer's pioneering brain cell research has led directly to a patented system that is now being rolled out to stem gun violence on the streets of Chicago and Los Angeles.
The engineer is Theodore Berger, director of the USC Center for Neural Engineering whose life's work has been deciphering the way in which nerve cells code messages to each other.
Now, a camera-and-microphone surveillance system is using his insights to recognize -- instantly, and with high accuracy - the sound of a gunshot, and only a gunshot within a two-block radius.
It can then locate, precisely, where the shot was fired; turn a camera to center the shooter in the camera viewfinder, and make a 911 call to a central police station. The police can then take control of the camera to track the shooter and dispatch officers to the scene. "
Annual report 2004 - the state of the drugs problem in the European Union and Norway
http://annualreport.emcdda.eu.int/en/home-en.html
You will find a wealth of material on the drugs problem in Europe on this site:
Drug facts, figures and analyses: across Europe and by country.
Latest trends and social, legal and political responses.
Selected issues: evaluation of national drug strategies; cannabis problems in context; co-morbidity.
You will find a wealth of material on the drugs problem in Europe on this site:
Drug facts, figures and analyses: across Europe and by country.
Latest trends and social, legal and political responses.
Selected issues: evaluation of national drug strategies; cannabis problems in context; co-morbidity.
Britain has worst drugs record in Europe / Daily Mail, 26 Nov 2004
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=328509&in_page_id=1770
Jenny Hope
"Britain has the worst record in Europe on drug abuse, a devastating study has revealed.
The startling figures, which apply to most age groups, overshadowed the launch of a Government crackdown on dealers.
And they were seized upon as evidence of Labour's failure to make any headway with the problem.
Look here too...Skip gossip links to more articles Vote: Has Labour lost control of the drugs problem?
Report: 10-year-olds offered drugs
Gallery: Shocking photos of drugs abusers
Photos: Celebrity drugs busts
Newsflash: The latest alerts to your inbox
A survey of 26 European countries put the UK top of the list in most categories, including cocaine, Ecstasy and amphetamine use."
Jenny Hope
"Britain has the worst record in Europe on drug abuse, a devastating study has revealed.
The startling figures, which apply to most age groups, overshadowed the launch of a Government crackdown on dealers.
And they were seized upon as evidence of Labour's failure to make any headway with the problem.
Look here too...Skip gossip links to more articles Vote: Has Labour lost control of the drugs problem?
Report: 10-year-olds offered drugs
Gallery: Shocking photos of drugs abusers
Photos: Celebrity drugs busts
Newsflash: The latest alerts to your inbox
A survey of 26 European countries put the UK top of the list in most categories, including cocaine, Ecstasy and amphetamine use."
Asylum lessons taught in school / BBC News, 25 Nov 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4039167.stm
"School pupils have been telling how visits from refugees and asylum seekers have taught them lessons about the problems of prejudice.
The Positive Images project in Glasgow is run by the Red Cross along with volunteers from the refugee community.
It has reached more than 400 S1 and S2 pupils in four schools and aims to visit all secondaries in the city over the next two years.
A number of the volunteers were teachers in their home countries.
The project aims to encourage pupils to explore and understand issues of stereotyping and prejudice. "
"School pupils have been telling how visits from refugees and asylum seekers have taught them lessons about the problems of prejudice.
The Positive Images project in Glasgow is run by the Red Cross along with volunteers from the refugee community.
It has reached more than 400 S1 and S2 pupils in four schools and aims to visit all secondaries in the city over the next two years.
A number of the volunteers were teachers in their home countries.
The project aims to encourage pupils to explore and understand issues of stereotyping and prejudice. "
Drug trafficking / Economist, 25 Nov 2004
http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3428985
Abusive substance Abuse / Police
"Street prices of Class A drugs have fallen steadily in recent years (see chart) and the number of users has risen. Drug traffickers are running slicker businesses. �We dealt with a team a while ago that had a director of operations and a director of finance, and they actually called them that,� says Bill Hughes, the appointed director-general of SOCA. More importantly, they are running a different kind of business. "
Abusive substance Abuse / Police
"Street prices of Class A drugs have fallen steadily in recent years (see chart) and the number of users has risen. Drug traffickers are running slicker businesses. �We dealt with a team a while ago that had a director of operations and a director of finance, and they actually called them that,� says Bill Hughes, the appointed director-general of SOCA. More importantly, they are running a different kind of business. "
Stun gun plan for airline marshals / The Australian, 26 Nov 2004
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11502507%5E2702,00.html
Patricia Karvelas
"AIR marshals on both domestic and international flights, and police peacekeepers on unarmed missions, could be given stun guns under a plan being considered by the Howard Government.
A six-month trial of the Taser X26, which can incapacitate a person by temporarily paralysing their muscles, will be held by a specialist unit in the ACT to see if police and security forces should get weapons.
A spokesman for federal Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison said yesterday the Taser would be tested over six months by an Australian Federal Police safety committee. "
Patricia Karvelas
"AIR marshals on both domestic and international flights, and police peacekeepers on unarmed missions, could be given stun guns under a plan being considered by the Howard Government.
A six-month trial of the Taser X26, which can incapacitate a person by temporarily paralysing their muscles, will be held by a specialist unit in the ACT to see if police and security forces should get weapons.
A spokesman for federal Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison said yesterday the Taser would be tested over six months by an Australian Federal Police safety committee. "
Blair: Drugs policy is 'tough and balanced' / Politics.co, 25 Nov 2004
http://www.politics.co.uk/domestic-policy/blair-drugs-policy-tough-and-balanced-$7159514.htm
Active communities / Crime & Criminals
"Mr Blair argued that many of the debates on the issue in parliament had lost track of reality. He gave the example that whilst graffiti may technically be a crime, the time and effort required for an officer to take the case right through the courts made prosecution unrealistic.
Fundamentally, local people needed to be given the help and the tools to 'take back control of communities and streets'. "
Active communities / Crime & Criminals
"Mr Blair argued that many of the debates on the issue in parliament had lost track of reality. He gave the example that whilst graffiti may technically be a crime, the time and effort required for an officer to take the case right through the courts made prosecution unrealistic.
Fundamentally, local people needed to be given the help and the tools to 'take back control of communities and streets'. "
Blunkett pledges action on drugs / Politics.co, 25 Nov 2004
http://www.politics.co.uk/domestic-policy/blunkett-pledges-action-on-drugs-$7158276.htm
"The Home Secretary David Blunkett has promised that more drug dealers will be imprisoned and more drugs taken off the streets as the result of a major new anti-drugs campaign.
Urban areas are to be targeted across England and Wales in an attempt to close down 'crack houses and drug dens'. Powers available to the police under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act will also be used to seize dealers' assets, drugs and fire arms.
The second prong of the campaign will focus on drug rehabilitation and testing efforts with the number of treatment places being expanded. There will be a series of pilot projects, beginning in December, where young offenders will be required to attend drug treatment places as part of their community sentences. "
"The Home Secretary David Blunkett has promised that more drug dealers will be imprisoned and more drugs taken off the streets as the result of a major new anti-drugs campaign.
Urban areas are to be targeted across England and Wales in an attempt to close down 'crack houses and drug dens'. Powers available to the police under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act will also be used to seize dealers' assets, drugs and fire arms.
The second prong of the campaign will focus on drug rehabilitation and testing efforts with the number of treatment places being expanded. There will be a series of pilot projects, beginning in December, where young offenders will be required to attend drug treatment places as part of their community sentences. "
Howard launches Tory drugs plan / Politics.co, 25 Nov 2004
http://www.politics.co.uk/party-politics/howard-launches-tory-drugs-plan-$7157873.htm
"The Conservatives promises that they would increase the number of residential rehabilitation places for drug users tenfold, fund random drug testing in schools, and reclassify cannabis as a class B drug.
They would also give young addicts the choice between rehabilitation and going to jail, and restore sentencing guidelines that say drug dealers must serve at least seven years in prison."
"The Conservatives promises that they would increase the number of residential rehabilitation places for drug users tenfold, fund random drug testing in schools, and reclassify cannabis as a class B drug.
They would also give young addicts the choice between rehabilitation and going to jail, and restore sentencing guidelines that say drug dealers must serve at least seven years in prison."
I'm not draconian, says Blunkett / BBC News, 25 Nov 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4040887.stm
Mr Blunkett says the public want new police powers
Security could lose but not win an election for Labour, Home Secretary David Blunkett has said as he denied new police powers were authoritarian.
The government has been accused of trying to create a 'climate of fear' through new law and order measures.
And there are fears plans to give police and civilian officers more powers go too far.
Rejecting claims he was draconian, Mr Blunkett said people would turn to the far right if they did not feel safe. "
Mr Blunkett says the public want new police powers
Security could lose but not win an election for Labour, Home Secretary David Blunkett has said as he denied new police powers were authoritarian.
The government has been accused of trying to create a 'climate of fear' through new law and order measures.
And there are fears plans to give police and civilian officers more powers go too far.
Rejecting claims he was draconian, Mr Blunkett said people would turn to the far right if they did not feel safe. "
High Hopes for Community Policing / Arlington Connection, 23 Nov 2004
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=43268&paper=60&cat=104
Stefan Cornibert
"Police are experimenting with a new strategy in the Buckingham neighborhood, one that closely engages officers in the lives of the people they serve.
The County Board approved a no-cost lease this week with the Gates of Ballston housing development to establish a police station there. This station is unlike any other in Arlington, a station aimed at preventing crime by building stronger ties and a clearer understanding with the community it inhabits."
Stefan Cornibert
"Police are experimenting with a new strategy in the Buckingham neighborhood, one that closely engages officers in the lives of the people they serve.
The County Board approved a no-cost lease this week with the Gates of Ballston housing development to establish a police station there. This station is unlike any other in Arlington, a station aimed at preventing crime by building stronger ties and a clearer understanding with the community it inhabits."
Berlin Honors a True British Hero | Germany | Deutsche Welle |
Berlin Honors a True British Hero | Germany | Deutsche Welle |: "Frank Foley helped thousands of Jews escape the Nazi crackdown in 1930s Berlin. On Wednesday, a plaque was unveiled at the British embassy in the German capital in honor of the work he did and the lives he saved.
He was known as the 'Scarlet Pimpernel of Berlin' and in recent years has been given the moniker �Schindler from Stourbridge,� although in reality he was just plain old Frank Foley. However, there was nothing remotely plain about the actions or the life of this apparently unassuming Englishman.
To those who worked around him at Berlin's British embassy during the 1930s, Foley was just a passport control officer. But behind the facade of the bespectacled, middle-aged bureaucrat was a real life World War II hero in the making. Foley was, in reality, the head of British intelligence in the German capital, a post he held until the outbreak of hostilities in 1939."
He was known as the 'Scarlet Pimpernel of Berlin' and in recent years has been given the moniker �Schindler from Stourbridge,� although in reality he was just plain old Frank Foley. However, there was nothing remotely plain about the actions or the life of this apparently unassuming Englishman.
To those who worked around him at Berlin's British embassy during the 1930s, Foley was just a passport control officer. But behind the facade of the bespectacled, middle-aged bureaucrat was a real life World War II hero in the making. Foley was, in reality, the head of British intelligence in the German capital, a post he held until the outbreak of hostilities in 1939."
Berlin Honors a True British Hero | Germany | Deutsche Welle |
Berlin Honors a True British Hero | Germany | Deutsche Welle |: "Frank Foley helped thousands of Jews escape the Nazi crackdown in 1930s Berlin. On Wednesday, a plaque was unveiled at the British embassy in the German capital in honor of the work he did and the lives he saved.
He was known as the 'Scarlet Pimpernel of Berlin' and in recent years has been given the moniker �Schindler from Stourbridge,� although in reality he was just plain old Frank Foley. However, there was nothing remotely plain about the actions or the life of this apparently unassuming Englishman.
To those who worked around him at Berlin's British embassy during the 1930s, Foley was just a passport control officer. But behind the facade of the bespectacled, middle-aged bureaucrat was a real life World War II hero in the making. Foley was, in reality, the head of British intelligence in the German capital, a post he held until the outbreak of hostilities in 1939."
He was known as the 'Scarlet Pimpernel of Berlin' and in recent years has been given the moniker �Schindler from Stourbridge,� although in reality he was just plain old Frank Foley. However, there was nothing remotely plain about the actions or the life of this apparently unassuming Englishman.
To those who worked around him at Berlin's British embassy during the 1930s, Foley was just a passport control officer. But behind the facade of the bespectacled, middle-aged bureaucrat was a real life World War II hero in the making. Foley was, in reality, the head of British intelligence in the German capital, a post he held until the outbreak of hostilities in 1939."
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Forensic clock calls time on crimes / New Scientist, 25 Nov 2004
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996703
"DNA profiling has enabled us to link a suspect to a sample of blood, hair or saliva found at a crime scene. But until now, there was no way of knowing when the suspect was there - giving the guilty room to wriggle free. Now a team in America has developed a test that can reveal when a sample was deposited by measuring how quickly certain genetic material breaks down. The test measures two forms of RNA and works with as little as one microlitre of blood. The technique may even be sensitive enough to tell investigators when a fingerprint was left."
"DNA profiling has enabled us to link a suspect to a sample of blood, hair or saliva found at a crime scene. But until now, there was no way of knowing when the suspect was there - giving the guilty room to wriggle free. Now a team in America has developed a test that can reveal when a sample was deposited by measuring how quickly certain genetic material breaks down. The test measures two forms of RNA and works with as little as one microlitre of blood. The technique may even be sensitive enough to tell investigators when a fingerprint was left."
How good is UK.gov at its own security agenda? | The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/24/parliament_security_holes/
John Lettice
"Looks at how good the Government's own security records are. As Leader of the Commons Hain has some considerable responsibility for the security of the premises, and as we've seen in the past couple of years, performance in this area hasn't been exactly stellar. Parliament, other Government premises and the Royal Palaces have all been the scene of embarrassing incidents, and these have provoked much huffing, puffing and outrage from our legislators. "
John Lettice
"Looks at how good the Government's own security records are. As Leader of the Commons Hain has some considerable responsibility for the security of the premises, and as we've seen in the past couple of years, performance in this area hasn't been exactly stellar. Parliament, other Government premises and the Royal Palaces have all been the scene of embarrassing incidents, and these have provoked much huffing, puffing and outrage from our legislators. "
ID scheme, IT the key to Blunkett's new terror laws | The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/24/security_bill_roundup/
An overview of possible new legislation fron an IT perpective
An overview of possible new legislation fron an IT perpective
Database could unveil drug hot spots / USA Today, 18/11/2004
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-11-17-drugs-usat_x.htm
Donna Leinwand
"The Drug Enforcement Administration, frustrated that it has not been able to detect some hot spots for drug abuse more quickly, is testing a computer database that will allow federal agents to closely monitor death reports from local medical examiners and toxicologists."
Donna Leinwand
"The Drug Enforcement Administration, frustrated that it has not been able to detect some hot spots for drug abuse more quickly, is testing a computer database that will allow federal agents to closely monitor death reports from local medical examiners and toxicologists."
'electronic Parliamentary Community' launched by Leader of the House of Commons / PublicTechnology, 25 Nov 2004
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2134
"'This first phase of ePC provides the mechanism to deliver Parliamentary Questions from the House of Commons to Government Departments, and the Answers to Questions and Written Ministerial Statements from Government to the Commons, principally Hansard and the Table Office at this stage.' "
"'This first phase of ePC provides the mechanism to deliver Parliamentary Questions from the House of Commons to Government Departments, and the Answers to Questions and Written Ministerial Statements from Government to the Commons, principally Hansard and the Table Office at this stage.' "
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Op-Ed: Killing Kids / Civil Rights, 23 Nov 2004
http://www.civilrights.org/issues/cj/details.cfm?id=26378
Rachel King
"Since 2000, only five countries have reportedly executed juvenile offenders: Congo, Iran, Pakistan, China and the United States. However, at present, all of these countries except the United States have now renounced the practice. Numerous international treaties prohibit the juvenile death penalty, the most notable being the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which only two countries-Somalia and, embarrassingly, the United States-refused to ratify. In fact, the prohibition is so well established that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ruled in Domingues v. Nevada that executing those who committed crimes while under the age of 18 is a violation of a "jus cogens "-a sort of universal human rights standard-making it akin to genocide, slavery and apartheid."
Rachel King
"Since 2000, only five countries have reportedly executed juvenile offenders: Congo, Iran, Pakistan, China and the United States. However, at present, all of these countries except the United States have now renounced the practice. Numerous international treaties prohibit the juvenile death penalty, the most notable being the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which only two countries-Somalia and, embarrassingly, the United States-refused to ratify. In fact, the prohibition is so well established that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ruled in Domingues v. Nevada that executing those who committed crimes while under the age of 18 is a violation of a "jus cogens "-a sort of universal human rights standard-making it akin to genocide, slavery and apartheid."
UK police face increasing pressure from high-tech crime / ZDnet, 23 Nov 2004
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/0,39020369,39174876,00.htm
Dan Ilett
"Chief police officers say that fighting high-tech crime is one of the factors contributing to a shortfall of £350m needed to fund police work effectively in the UK
Police forces are facing a £350m shortfall in budgets as chief police officers are struggling to juggle funds because of new responsibilities, such as fighting cybercrime."
Dan Ilett
"Chief police officers say that fighting high-tech crime is one of the factors contributing to a shortfall of £350m needed to fund police work effectively in the UK
Police forces are facing a £350m shortfall in budgets as chief police officers are struggling to juggle funds because of new responsibilities, such as fighting cybercrime."
UAE makes major strides in fighting narcotics : UAE official / {United Arab Emirates] Dubai Interact, 23 Nov 2004
http://www.dubaiinteract.com/Media_SectionDisplay.aspx?Sectionid=88DC0EFB-ACD2-48CD-86D3-4B1D2CC0F9B3&Articleid=0231EB80-A7D7-44CF-9BD9-A33F8487EF5B&DisplayObjectMode=Article&DisplayMode=Detail&ObjectId=aebecff3-b27f-4be2-b30c-4f5c2db105f4
"The UAE and the United Nations signed an agreement here today on bilateral cooperation on drugs trafficking and drug-related crimes.
According to the agreement, the UN will set up a sub-office on Drugs and Crime in the UAE, which has undertaken bear the estimated $ 3 million cost of establishing the office. The sub-office will operate under the Cairo-based UN regional Office on Drugs and Crime. The UAE Ministry of Interior also paid an additional 50,000 US dollars as a contribution to the UN anti-narcotics programme.
The establishment of the sub-office in the UAE comes as a recognition of the country?s efforts to combat drugs.
?Although the UAE is used by traffickers as a route to other destinations, its aggressive policy to combat the menace of drug tracking has received international commendations, thanks to the directives of Major General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior? said Major General Saif Abdullah Al Shafaar, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Security Affairs."
"The UAE and the United Nations signed an agreement here today on bilateral cooperation on drugs trafficking and drug-related crimes.
According to the agreement, the UN will set up a sub-office on Drugs and Crime in the UAE, which has undertaken bear the estimated $ 3 million cost of establishing the office. The sub-office will operate under the Cairo-based UN regional Office on Drugs and Crime. The UAE Ministry of Interior also paid an additional 50,000 US dollars as a contribution to the UN anti-narcotics programme.
The establishment of the sub-office in the UAE comes as a recognition of the country?s efforts to combat drugs.
?Although the UAE is used by traffickers as a route to other destinations, its aggressive policy to combat the menace of drug tracking has received international commendations, thanks to the directives of Major General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior? said Major General Saif Abdullah Al Shafaar, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Security Affairs."
Call for innovative solutions to check juvenile delinquency / [United Arab Emirates] Dubai Interact, 23 Nov 2004
http://www.dubaiinteract.com/Media_SectionDisplay.aspx?Sectionid=88DC0EFB-ACD2-48CD-86D3-4B1D2CC0F9B3&Articleid=0231EB80-A7D7-44CF-9BD9-A33F8487EF5B&DisplayObjectMode=Article&DisplayMode=Detail&ObjectId=7f6ab94c-c747-403b-b456-5adf8f024b38
"An increase in juvenile crime has led police to call for more innovative solutions to the problem of delinquency in the UAE.
On the first day of a conference on sports and crime yesterday, Dr Ahmad Sa'ad, a senior UAE social researcher, said juvenile crime had increased by 20 per cent in the past three years, from 190 reported cases in 2001, to 240 in 2003, according to a report in +Gulf News.+ Forty-seven per cent of crimes were committed from 2pm to 8pm, suggesting a strong link between unsupervised free time and criminal behaviour.
Juveniles commit crime at twice the rate of adults, said Dr Jeremy Prichard, from the Australian Institute of Criminology, according to one Australian study.
A small group of juvenile offenders carry on criminal activities into adulthood, "while the rate and seriousness of crime also increases," he said."
Police want to target this group while they are young. Researchers at the conference also showed links between youths taking up sports and crime reduction.
"An increase in juvenile crime has led police to call for more innovative solutions to the problem of delinquency in the UAE.
On the first day of a conference on sports and crime yesterday, Dr Ahmad Sa'ad, a senior UAE social researcher, said juvenile crime had increased by 20 per cent in the past three years, from 190 reported cases in 2001, to 240 in 2003, according to a report in +Gulf News.+ Forty-seven per cent of crimes were committed from 2pm to 8pm, suggesting a strong link between unsupervised free time and criminal behaviour.
Juveniles commit crime at twice the rate of adults, said Dr Jeremy Prichard, from the Australian Institute of Criminology, according to one Australian study.
A small group of juvenile offenders carry on criminal activities into adulthood, "while the rate and seriousness of crime also increases," he said."
Police want to target this group while they are young. Researchers at the conference also showed links between youths taking up sports and crime reduction.
Netherlands: Dutch Immigration -- The Death Of Multiculturalism (Part 1) / [Netherlands] RFE/RL, 23 Nov 2004
http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/11/922941AB-4DF5-47EF-87DA-1D726D9F1DB0.html
Mark Baker
For 30 years, from the 1960s through the 1990s, the official Dutch policy toward its growing population of unskilled Islamic "guest workers" was one of "multiculturalism."
That is, the government actively encouraged diverse groups -- from Morocco, Turkey, and other countries -- to maintain their linguistic and cultural identities.
Political scientist Andre Krouwel says the emphasis is on 'integration' not 'multiculturalism'
Andre Krouwel, a political scientist at Amsterdam's Free University, says the policy was not based on any idealistic notion of the virtues of diversity, but rather a cold calculation that the new immigrants should not be encouraged to stay.
"Ever since the 1960s, the subsequent Dutch governments took an approach toward minorities by which they assumed that these people were temporary workers, would stay here a limited period of time, and would go back to their country of origin. They always denied the Netherlands was an immigration country."
Mark Baker
For 30 years, from the 1960s through the 1990s, the official Dutch policy toward its growing population of unskilled Islamic "guest workers" was one of "multiculturalism."
That is, the government actively encouraged diverse groups -- from Morocco, Turkey, and other countries -- to maintain their linguistic and cultural identities.
Political scientist Andre Krouwel says the emphasis is on 'integration' not 'multiculturalism'
Andre Krouwel, a political scientist at Amsterdam's Free University, says the policy was not based on any idealistic notion of the virtues of diversity, but rather a cold calculation that the new immigrants should not be encouraged to stay.
"Ever since the 1960s, the subsequent Dutch governments took an approach toward minorities by which they assumed that these people were temporary workers, would stay here a limited period of time, and would go back to their country of origin. They always denied the Netherlands was an immigration country."
Imams face Swiss integration test / SwissInfo, 24 Nov 2004
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=106&sid=5358106
"Islamic preachers and other spiritual leaders from abroad could soon have to take courses to help them integrate better into Swiss society. The government proposal comes at a time of growing public debate about the role of Muslims in a multicultural society such as Switzerland’s."
"Islamic preachers and other spiritual leaders from abroad could soon have to take courses to help them integrate better into Swiss society. The government proposal comes at a time of growing public debate about the role of Muslims in a multicultural society such as Switzerland’s."
Group proposes system to "connect the dots" about terrorist attacks / GovExec, 23 Nov 2004
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1104/111804h1.htm
Shane Harris
A Defense Department-funded think tank has designed a concept for a computer system that could help U.S. intelligence agencies identify and interpret clues of an impending terrorist attack.
The RAND Corp. of Santa Monica, Calif., last week proposed a multifaceted system of networks and electronic databases to sift through huge volumes of information—including information about people, places, events and financial transactions already obtained by the government—in order to discover the most relevant signals of a planned attack.
"An information search that could take dozens of intelligence analysts days to complete could be carried out within hours" by the system, which RAND calls Atypical Signal Analysis and Processing , said John Hollywood, the lead researcher. "This is like giving someone who is looking for a needle in a haystack an incredibly powerful magnet."
Shane Harris
A Defense Department-funded think tank has designed a concept for a computer system that could help U.S. intelligence agencies identify and interpret clues of an impending terrorist attack.
The RAND Corp. of Santa Monica, Calif., last week proposed a multifaceted system of networks and electronic databases to sift through huge volumes of information—including information about people, places, events and financial transactions already obtained by the government—in order to discover the most relevant signals of a planned attack.
"An information search that could take dozens of intelligence analysts days to complete could be carried out within hours" by the system, which RAND calls Atypical Signal Analysis and Processing , said John Hollywood, the lead researcher. "This is like giving someone who is looking for a needle in a haystack an incredibly powerful magnet."
Parliamentary Bills: Home Office ID Cards take centre stage / Public Technology, 24 Nov 2004
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2124
Home Office
The Home office unveiled some of the highest profile Parliamentary activity with an IT and e-Government slant yesterday, with a range of bills in the run-up to the general election.
At the State Opening of Parliament, Her Majesty the Queen set out the Government’s legislative programme for the coming year, including the following Home Office legislation:
Measures to tackle serious, organised and drug-related crime, reform the police and offender management service and set up an identity cards scheme form the Home Office's legislative programme for the next Parliamentary session.
This will be underpinned by a number of other measures – including the long-awaited reform of charity law.
Home Office
The Home office unveiled some of the highest profile Parliamentary activity with an IT and e-Government slant yesterday, with a range of bills in the run-up to the general election.
At the State Opening of Parliament, Her Majesty the Queen set out the Government’s legislative programme for the coming year, including the following Home Office legislation:
Measures to tackle serious, organised and drug-related crime, reform the police and offender management service and set up an identity cards scheme form the Home Office's legislative programme for the next Parliamentary session.
This will be underpinned by a number of other measures – including the long-awaited reform of charity law.
Suicide pigs fly to support Blunkett's War on Terror / The Register, 23 Nov 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/23/terror_scare_spin/
John Lettice
"In an amazing coincidence, news of a thwarted 911-style terror attack on the UK emerged just hours before the Government was due to unveil a legislative programme chock-full of security-related goodies. The strangely fact-free story, available from the Mail, ITN and The Scotsman, among others, is attributed to a "senior authoritative source", and Downing Street, the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police "declined to comment."
As journalistic constructs designed to distance government from responsibility for the junk the spin doctors are handing out go, "senior authoritative source" is pretty esoteric. It's not 'Home Office sources', nor is 'sources close to the Home Office' - maybe it's not even 'informed sources', and our confidence in it is further undermined by the apparent need to say in the story that the source "who has no axe to grind, said that the threats were real and were not deliberately exaggerated for political purposes." When you have to put in your story, 'look, I know you're all going to think this is junk made up by the Government to coincide with the Queens speech, but it's not, OK?', you are in bad shape."
John Lettice
"In an amazing coincidence, news of a thwarted 911-style terror attack on the UK emerged just hours before the Government was due to unveil a legislative programme chock-full of security-related goodies. The strangely fact-free story, available from the Mail, ITN and The Scotsman, among others, is attributed to a "senior authoritative source", and Downing Street, the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police "declined to comment."
As journalistic constructs designed to distance government from responsibility for the junk the spin doctors are handing out go, "senior authoritative source" is pretty esoteric. It's not 'Home Office sources', nor is 'sources close to the Home Office' - maybe it's not even 'informed sources', and our confidence in it is further undermined by the apparent need to say in the story that the source "who has no axe to grind, said that the threats were real and were not deliberately exaggerated for political purposes." When you have to put in your story, 'look, I know you're all going to think this is junk made up by the Government to coincide with the Queens speech, but it's not, OK?', you are in bad shape."
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Europe Focuses Anti-Terror Efforts / Deutsche Welle, 22 Nov 2004
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,1402022,00.html?maca=en-bulletin-433-html
Andreas Tzortzis
"Fighting terrorism in Europe is as varied as the continent's cultures and legal systems. And that, say investigators, could become a major problem. Hitches in intelligence sharing, and the flow of information between national law enforcement and security agencies on the European level is mirroring similar problems within each country. German security officials, for example, have been at pains to improve data-sharing since the Sept. 11 attacks, with only marginal success, say critics."
Andreas Tzortzis
"Fighting terrorism in Europe is as varied as the continent's cultures and legal systems. And that, say investigators, could become a major problem. Hitches in intelligence sharing, and the flow of information between national law enforcement and security agencies on the European level is mirroring similar problems within each country. German security officials, for example, have been at pains to improve data-sharing since the Sept. 11 attacks, with only marginal success, say critics."
Port Hueneme looks for gang solutions / [USA] Ventura County Star, 22 Nov 2004
http://www.venturacountystar.com/vcs/ox/article/0,1375,VCS_238_3346388,00.html
Sylvia Moore
"The injunction imposed in June against the Colonia Chiques street gang in Oxnard caused an uproar. Opponents of the injunction complained that the Oxnard Police Department should have consulted residents before asking a judge to take such a drastic action to combat street crime.
Port Hueneme, however, is taking a different tack. Rather than going with an injunction right away to deal with the city's gang problem, the Port Hueneme Police Department wants city officials to look at other options, such as establishing a violent crimes task force, a nuisance abatement program and educational programs for gang members. "
Sylvia Moore
"The injunction imposed in June against the Colonia Chiques street gang in Oxnard caused an uproar. Opponents of the injunction complained that the Oxnard Police Department should have consulted residents before asking a judge to take such a drastic action to combat street crime.
Port Hueneme, however, is taking a different tack. Rather than going with an injunction right away to deal with the city's gang problem, the Port Hueneme Police Department wants city officials to look at other options, such as establishing a violent crimes task force, a nuisance abatement program and educational programs for gang members. "
Monday, November 22, 2004
UK looks at 'integrating' ID card with health care / The Register, 19 Nov 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/19/nhs_smart_idcard/
John Lettice
"The question of whether or not the UK national ID card will be required for access to health care is a fascinating one because, although the answer is almost certainly yes, nobody in government is prepared to say so at this juncture and risk general outcry. Instead we have a drip, drip of hints, suggestions and signals that will (they hope) lead us to a point where the ID card somehow, sort of, becomes the obvious and inevitable answer to everybody's healthcare problems.
The process, whereby the Home Office's cunning plan for a universal ID system efficacious in every way slowly subverts every other form of ID, could be thought of as a sort of Invasion of the ID Snatchers."<
John Lettice
"The question of whether or not the UK national ID card will be required for access to health care is a fascinating one because, although the answer is almost certainly yes, nobody in government is prepared to say so at this juncture and risk general outcry. Instead we have a drip, drip of hints, suggestions and signals that will (they hope) lead us to a point where the ID card somehow, sort of, becomes the obvious and inevitable answer to everybody's healthcare problems.
The process, whereby the Home Office's cunning plan for a universal ID system efficacious in every way slowly subverts every other form of ID, could be thought of as a sort of Invasion of the ID Snatchers."<
Blunkett moots 'proof-lite' Internet and banking banning orders / The Register, 21 Nov 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/21/blunkett_internet_ban/
John Lettice
"UK Home Secretary David Blunkett today promised to widen the 'terror suspect' net further to impose Internet and banking banning orders on people suspected of 'acts preparatory to terrorism'. Legislation to support this will come in addition to the raft of measures he will announce in the Queen's Speech this coming week, and is not likely to be unveiled prior to the general election expected next year.
In a TV interview with Jonathan Dimbleby, Blunkett said he envisages the proposed new laws as being modeled on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) which are currently used in the UK to impose restrictions on individuals deemed guilty of a wide (and clearly widening) range of anti-social activities. ASBOs are imposed under civil law, but breaching an ASBO is a criminal offence, and as Dimbleby pointed out, 20 per cent of these orders lead to criminal penalties.
With the sustained reasoning for which he is so justly famous, Blunkett noted the importance of proof in the British legal system, then observed that fixed penalty notices and ASBOs were particularly useful because 'police been able to impose penalties without having to go through a prolonged legal system.'
His mooted 'Anti-Internet Behaviour Orders' would be more of the same. At the moment Blunkett has powers to detain suspected foreign nationals without trial for as long as he pleases, under the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act (example of one recently freed here) and is under no obligation to produce evidence against them. Just as ASBOs provide a handy mechanism for generating evidence of criminal activity (breach of the ASBO) the new legislation would provide a route for criminalising terror suspects and terror 'supporters' against whom the security servi"
John Lettice
"UK Home Secretary David Blunkett today promised to widen the 'terror suspect' net further to impose Internet and banking banning orders on people suspected of 'acts preparatory to terrorism'. Legislation to support this will come in addition to the raft of measures he will announce in the Queen's Speech this coming week, and is not likely to be unveiled prior to the general election expected next year.
In a TV interview with Jonathan Dimbleby, Blunkett said he envisages the proposed new laws as being modeled on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) which are currently used in the UK to impose restrictions on individuals deemed guilty of a wide (and clearly widening) range of anti-social activities. ASBOs are imposed under civil law, but breaching an ASBO is a criminal offence, and as Dimbleby pointed out, 20 per cent of these orders lead to criminal penalties.
With the sustained reasoning for which he is so justly famous, Blunkett noted the importance of proof in the British legal system, then observed that fixed penalty notices and ASBOs were particularly useful because 'police been able to impose penalties without having to go through a prolonged legal system.'
His mooted 'Anti-Internet Behaviour Orders' would be more of the same. At the moment Blunkett has powers to detain suspected foreign nationals without trial for as long as he pleases, under the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act (example of one recently freed here) and is under no obligation to produce evidence against them. Just as ASBOs provide a handy mechanism for generating evidence of criminal activity (breach of the ASBO) the new legislation would provide a route for criminalising terror suspects and terror 'supporters' against whom the security servi"
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Canada failing refugee children: report / CBC News:, 20 Nov 2004
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/11/20/refugee-children041120.html
"The Canadian government frequently overlooks the best interests of the child when processing immigration and refugee cases, an advocacy group says.
The Canadian Council for Refugees, meeting this weekend in Victoria, has released a report that's critical of how the government applies immigration and refugee law. The report says Canada in many ways fall short of upholding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It says the best interests of the child and respect for a person's rights must be a primary consideration in all decisions involving children."
Impacts on children of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act - http://www.web.net/~ccr/children.pdf
"The Canadian government frequently overlooks the best interests of the child when processing immigration and refugee cases, an advocacy group says.
The Canadian Council for Refugees, meeting this weekend in Victoria, has released a report that's critical of how the government applies immigration and refugee law. The report says Canada in many ways fall short of upholding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It says the best interests of the child and respect for a person's rights must be a primary consideration in all decisions involving children."
Impacts on children of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act - http://www.web.net/~ccr/children.pdf
Booming prison numbers prompt reexamination of harsh sentencing / [USA] Centre Daily, 20 Nov 2004
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/politics/10233361.htm
Mark Scolford
"Last month, Pennsylvania quietly joined a growing number of states taking a step back from the stiffer sentencing policies of the 1990s. The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a bill that would get nonviolent drug and alcohol offenders out of prison more quickly and into treatment programs, and on Friday, Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell signed it.
The policy change is expected to save the state more than $20 million a year and reduce pressure on a prison system now housing nearly 41,000 convicts, up from 28,302 in 1994. Corrections officials say treatment has also been shown to reduce the chance the inmates will end up back in prison."
Mark Scolford
"Last month, Pennsylvania quietly joined a growing number of states taking a step back from the stiffer sentencing policies of the 1990s. The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a bill that would get nonviolent drug and alcohol offenders out of prison more quickly and into treatment programs, and on Friday, Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell signed it.
The policy change is expected to save the state more than $20 million a year and reduce pressure on a prison system now housing nearly 41,000 convicts, up from 28,302 in 1994. Corrections officials say treatment has also been shown to reduce the chance the inmates will end up back in prison."
CAR THEFT KIDS / [Australia] News.com. 21 Nov 2004
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11452922%5E910,00.html
"FOUR 10-year-olds are among 38 children aged 12 and under caught driving stolen cars, new police figures show.
Statistics from the police annual report show the 10-year-olds are among 313 young offenders charged with driving stolen cars between June 2003-June 2004.
This included 14 girls and 93 13-year-olds.
The 313 young offenders � those aged under 16 � equate to 20 per cent of all South Australians charged for stealing cars, a ratio described by senior authorities as 'concerning, appalling and dangerous'."
"FOUR 10-year-olds are among 38 children aged 12 and under caught driving stolen cars, new police figures show.
Statistics from the police annual report show the 10-year-olds are among 313 young offenders charged with driving stolen cars between June 2003-June 2004.
This included 14 girls and 93 13-year-olds.
The 313 young offenders � those aged under 16 � equate to 20 per cent of all South Australians charged for stealing cars, a ratio described by senior authorities as 'concerning, appalling and dangerous'."
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Police Urge Mental Health Treatment for Young Offenders / [USA] VOA News, 19 Nov 2004
http://www.voanews.com/english/2004-11-19-voa3.cfm
Michael O'Sullivan
California police officials are asking that more money be spent on mental health care for young offenders. They say counseling and treatment can dramatically reduce juvenile crime rates.
The officials say at least 80 percent of young offenders have identifiable mental health disorders, and that proper treatment can reduce juvenile arrests by as much as one third.
Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca says every police patrolman knows there is a link between mental illness and crime."
Michael O'Sullivan
California police officials are asking that more money be spent on mental health care for young offenders. They say counseling and treatment can dramatically reduce juvenile crime rates.
The officials say at least 80 percent of young offenders have identifiable mental health disorders, and that proper treatment can reduce juvenile arrests by as much as one third.
Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca says every police patrolman knows there is a link between mental illness and crime."
Friday, November 19, 2004
Japan blasted over human trafficking / The Yomiuri Shimbun, 20 Nov 2004
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/world/10224535.htm
"Victims of human trafficking in Japan are not protected and are treated like criminals, according to a special report compiled by the International Labor Organization.
The organization's Tokyo office has begun distributing copies of the report to relevant government and nonprofit organizations
"Victims of human trafficking in Japan are not protected and are treated like criminals, according to a special report compiled by the International Labor Organization.
The organization's Tokyo office has begun distributing copies of the report to relevant government and nonprofit organizations
VN, Cambodia vow crackdown on human trafficking problem / Vietnam News, 19 Nov 2004
http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/2004-11/18/Stories/10.htm
"Cambodian and Vietnamese officials on Tuesday agreed that public education campaigns were urgently needed to halt the rising incidence of cross-border trafficking of women and children.
'Many victims do not want to report human trafficking activities to the police because they fear being despised by relatives and neighbours, or they are afraid that someone will take revenge,' said Police Colonel Pham Xuan Quac of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security."
"Cambodian and Vietnamese officials on Tuesday agreed that public education campaigns were urgently needed to halt the rising incidence of cross-border trafficking of women and children.
'Many victims do not want to report human trafficking activities to the police because they fear being despised by relatives and neighbours, or they are afraid that someone will take revenge,' said Police Colonel Pham Xuan Quac of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security."
Police get the green light for stun guns / [Australia] The Age, 20 Nov 2004
http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Police-get-the-green-light-for-stun-guns/2004/11/19/1100838220563.html?oneclick=true
Selma Milovanovic
"Stun guns that disable offenders with 50,000-volt shocks will be issued to more than 100 Victorian police officers after the State Government approved their wider use.
A 12-month trial by the elite special operations group found the non-lethal guns were safe for use by other officers.
Use of the Taser guns will be confined to the SOG and critical incident response teams. Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon will decide the extent to which the guns are used in future.
The guns must be used in accordance with police procedure and properly stored when not in use."
Selma Milovanovic
"Stun guns that disable offenders with 50,000-volt shocks will be issued to more than 100 Victorian police officers after the State Government approved their wider use.
A 12-month trial by the elite special operations group found the non-lethal guns were safe for use by other officers.
Use of the Taser guns will be confined to the SOG and critical incident response teams. Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon will decide the extent to which the guns are used in future.
The guns must be used in accordance with police procedure and properly stored when not in use."
Terrorists cash in on fake goods / Sydney Morning Herald, 20 Nov 2004
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Terrorists-cash-in-on-fake-goods/2004/11/19/1100838229512.html
David Elias
"The International Chamber of Commerce has estimated the worldwide trade in counterfeits to be worth $450 billion, which means that 7 per cent of the global economy is not what it seems. Governments are losing tax revenue, thousands of jobs in the manufacture, distribution and sales have disappeared, and the health and safety of consumers are being put at risk.
The US-based International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition has linked the trade with organised crime and the terrorism groups al-Qaeda and Hezbollah.
Advertisement
AdvertisementThe coalition's position paper Facts on Fakes said terrorist organisations were using the sale of fake goods to raise and launder money. 'Recovered al-Qaeda terrorist training manuals have revealed that the organisation recommends the sale of fake goods as one means to raise funds to support terrorist operations.' "
Facts on Fakes - http://www.iacc.org/teampublish/uploads/factsupdated.pdf
David Elias
"The International Chamber of Commerce has estimated the worldwide trade in counterfeits to be worth $450 billion, which means that 7 per cent of the global economy is not what it seems. Governments are losing tax revenue, thousands of jobs in the manufacture, distribution and sales have disappeared, and the health and safety of consumers are being put at risk.
The US-based International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition has linked the trade with organised crime and the terrorism groups al-Qaeda and Hezbollah.
Advertisement
AdvertisementThe coalition's position paper Facts on Fakes said terrorist organisations were using the sale of fake goods to raise and launder money. 'Recovered al-Qaeda terrorist training manuals have revealed that the organisation recommends the sale of fake goods as one means to raise funds to support terrorist operations.' "
Facts on Fakes - http://www.iacc.org/teampublish/uploads/factsupdated.pdf
Two panels push two different plans for sentencing sex offenders / Miami Herald, 19 Nov 2004
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/national/10224420.htm
"Separate commissions are coming up with two very different proposals for imposing longer prison sentences on sex offenders in the aftermath of the Dru Sjodin case.
One panel wants to increase prison terms within the state's current guidelines system, while the other envisions returning to open-ended sentences controlled by a parole board - an approach the state hasn't used for more than 20 years."
"Separate commissions are coming up with two very different proposals for imposing longer prison sentences on sex offenders in the aftermath of the Dru Sjodin case.
One panel wants to increase prison terms within the state's current guidelines system, while the other envisions returning to open-ended sentences controlled by a parole board - an approach the state hasn't used for more than 20 years."
Islamic past sits uneasily alongside immigration fears / telegraph, 19 Nov 2004
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/11/19/wfoot119.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/11/19/ixnewstop.html
Isambard wilkinson
"But is Spain more or less racist than any other western European country? Probably not, but the country's record has been largely untested until the past 10 years, when a country accustomed to producing emigrants transformed into a wealthy beacon for immigrants.
Some 7.2 per cent of Spain's 42 million population are now immigrants, and Spaniards regard immigration as the third most pressing problem after unemployment and terrorism. In repeated surveys, Spaniards have shown that the ethnic types they are most wary of are gipsies, followed by North Africans.
In 2000, there were three days of racist attacks in the southern Spanish town of El Ejido, which left up to 50 immigrant workers injured."
Isambard wilkinson
"But is Spain more or less racist than any other western European country? Probably not, but the country's record has been largely untested until the past 10 years, when a country accustomed to producing emigrants transformed into a wealthy beacon for immigrants.
Some 7.2 per cent of Spain's 42 million population are now immigrants, and Spaniards regard immigration as the third most pressing problem after unemployment and terrorism. In repeated surveys, Spaniards have shown that the ethnic types they are most wary of are gipsies, followed by North Africans.
In 2000, there were three days of racist attacks in the southern Spanish town of El Ejido, which left up to 50 immigrant workers injured."
Dutch Lawmaker Urges Halting Immigration / Mercury News, 19 Nov 2004
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/10225904.htm
Anthony Deutsch
" One of the most popular politicians in the Netherlands said Friday the country's democracy is under threat and called for a five-year halt to non-Western immigration in the wake of the killing of a Dutch filmmaker by a suspected Muslim radical.
'We are a Dutch democratic society. We have our own norms and values,' right-wing lawmaker Geert Wilders told The Associated Press in an interview. 'If you chose radical Islam you can leave, and if you don't leave voluntarily then we will send you away. This is the only message possible.'"
Anthony Deutsch
" One of the most popular politicians in the Netherlands said Friday the country's democracy is under threat and called for a five-year halt to non-Western immigration in the wake of the killing of a Dutch filmmaker by a suspected Muslim radical.
'We are a Dutch democratic society. We have our own norms and values,' right-wing lawmaker Geert Wilders told The Associated Press in an interview. 'If you chose radical Islam you can leave, and if you don't leave voluntarily then we will send you away. This is the only message possible.'"
Racist killer's intent 'missed', BBC, 18 Nov 2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4021033.stm
"Authorities missed 14 potential opportunities to prevent a known racist prisoner killing his Asian cellmate, a public inquiry has heard. "
"Authorities missed 14 potential opportunities to prevent a known racist prisoner killing his Asian cellmate, a public inquiry has heard. "
Most Female Prisoners Are Black / [USA] NCM, 18 Nov 2004
http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=9cea735ab2b903cbdc7457e591c49523
Monic M Lewis
"Black women are three-fourths of the record-setting number of females in state and local prisons, according to a criminal justice expert.
"The penetration of the prison system into the black family is extraordinary," Vincent Schiraldi, of the Justice Policy Center, told BlackAmericaWeb.com Monday.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 101,179 women were in state or federal prisons by the end of 2003, the first time the number of females behind bars exceeded 100,000. In 1990, there were just 44,000 women in state or federal prisons. "
Monic M Lewis
"Black women are three-fourths of the record-setting number of females in state and local prisons, according to a criminal justice expert.
"The penetration of the prison system into the black family is extraordinary," Vincent Schiraldi, of the Justice Policy Center, told BlackAmericaWeb.com Monday.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 101,179 women were in state or federal prisons by the end of 2003, the first time the number of females behind bars exceeded 100,000. In 1990, there were just 44,000 women in state or federal prisons. "
Judges Publicly Question Ridiculous Drug Sentences / [USA] Drug Policy Alliance, 18 Nov 2004
http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/11_18_04judgesquestion.cfm
"If treatment does a better job of helping people with drug problems, why does Congress insist on imposing ever-stiffer prison sentences on them? This is a question the Drug Policy Alliance and other reform groups have been asking for years, but the senior justice for the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals also asked it today in a New York Times opinion piece."
"If treatment does a better job of helping people with drug problems, why does Congress insist on imposing ever-stiffer prison sentences on them? This is a question the Drug Policy Alliance and other reform groups have been asking for years, but the senior justice for the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals also asked it today in a New York Times opinion piece."
Birmingham gets mapping-driven project to cut crime & graffiti / PublicTechnology, 19 Nov 2004
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2095
"A mapping project planning to measure Birmingham's 'crime and grime' levels is being put together by Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police.
The system is a mapping and neighbourhood management system which monitors graffiti, fly-tipping and other environmental crimes and anti-social behaviour. "
"A mapping project planning to measure Birmingham's 'crime and grime' levels is being put together by Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police.
The system is a mapping and neighbourhood management system which monitors graffiti, fly-tipping and other environmental crimes and anti-social behaviour. "
Home Office stalls on weapons scanner health risks / The Register, 18 Nov 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/18/blunkett_xray_blank/
John Lettice
"Are your children being irradiated? Are you being irradiated? The UK Home Office seems unconcerned by the question, despite being responsible for at least one of the government organisations wielding the devices that might be doing the irradiating. Weapons scanners that use x-rays are now being tested by the Metropolitan Police and at Heathrow airport, and while the effect of a single scan will probably be negligible, the actual health risk will depend on the nature of the particular deployments, and on the individuals being scanned. So they should therefore not be deployed casually, without careful prior consideration, on the basis that they're 'harmless'."
John Lettice
"Are your children being irradiated? Are you being irradiated? The UK Home Office seems unconcerned by the question, despite being responsible for at least one of the government organisations wielding the devices that might be doing the irradiating. Weapons scanners that use x-rays are now being tested by the Metropolitan Police and at Heathrow airport, and while the effect of a single scan will probably be negligible, the actual health risk will depend on the nature of the particular deployments, and on the individuals being scanned. So they should therefore not be deployed casually, without careful prior consideration, on the basis that they're 'harmless'."
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Gallery of Victorian Prisoners Online / The National Archives
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/stories/47.htm
The National Archives of the UK is now offering an
exhibit of photographs and case details of
prisoners in Wandsworth Prison during the
Victorian era. The photographs date from 1872 and
1873. While the case information is fahree,
downloading the pictures costs.
The National Archives of the UK is now offering an
exhibit of photographs and case details of
prisoners in Wandsworth Prison during the
Victorian era. The photographs date from 1872 and
1873. While the case information is fahree,
downloading the pictures costs.
Tricks of the light | New Scientist 18 Nov 2004
http://www.newscientist.com/lastword/article.jsp?id=lw1141
Does the blue or ultraviolet lighting bathing some public toilets serve a purpose? Is it true that it prevents people injecting drugs into their veins?
Does the blue or ultraviolet lighting bathing some public toilets serve a purpose? Is it true that it prevents people injecting drugs into their veins?
Reducing Gun Violence: The St. Louis Consent-to-Search Program / [USA] National Institute of Justice, Nov 2004
http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/191332.pdf
"The third report in NIJ's Reducing Gun Violence series evaluates an innovative police program that used community-based sources to identify homes where juveniles might be harboring guns. Police then sought parental permission to search for and confiscate illegal guns. A nationally recognized success in its first year, the Consent-to-Search program subsequently experienced serious implementation problems. This report (NCJ 191332) describes the program's setbacks and implications for community policing. "
"The third report in NIJ's Reducing Gun Violence series evaluates an innovative police program that used community-based sources to identify homes where juveniles might be harboring guns. Police then sought parental permission to search for and confiscate illegal guns. A nationally recognized success in its first year, the Consent-to-Search program subsequently experienced serious implementation problems. This report (NCJ 191332) describes the program's setbacks and implications for community policing. "
Violence against women: identifying risk factors / National Institute of Justice - What's New
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/new.htm
"This NIJ Research in Brief addresses whether sexual and physical abuse in childhood and adolescence are risk factors for becoming a victim of violence against women as an adult. It combines the results taken from two studies, one of which followed college women and men for 4 years, and the other, which followed low-income, mostly black women who had been victims of childhood sexual abuse. Each study found that child sexual abuse alone was a risk factor only when combined with adolescent sexual abuse. Although each study examined a narrowly defined population, taken together, both studies came to remarkably similar conclusions. "
"This NIJ Research in Brief addresses whether sexual and physical abuse in childhood and adolescence are risk factors for becoming a victim of violence against women as an adult. It combines the results taken from two studies, one of which followed college women and men for 4 years, and the other, which followed low-income, mostly black women who had been victims of childhood sexual abuse. Each study found that child sexual abuse alone was a risk factor only when combined with adolescent sexual abuse. Although each study examined a narrowly defined population, taken together, both studies came to remarkably similar conclusions. "
DNA in "Minor" Crimes Yields Major Benefits in Public Safety / National Institute of Justice , Nov 2004
http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/207203.pdf"Property crime offenders have high recidivism rates, their crime and violence can escalate, and property crime cases often go unsolved. It has been estimated that each burglar in the top 10 percent of burglars commits more than 232 burglaries per year. Several police departments in the United States are finding that they may be able to change these trends. When they analyze DNA from a burglary, they get evidence that often solves several other cases as well. And they are finding that biological evidence collected from property crime scenes can prevent future property crimes and more serious offenses. "
Drug Detection in Prison Mailrooms / [USA] NIJ, Nov 2004
http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/205685.pdf
Prison administrators must be on guard for attempts to smuggle illegal drugs into correctional facilities, and the prison mailroom is the third most common point of entry, after visitors and prison staff. NIJ funded a study to determine if commercially available drug detection systems could be effective in prison mailrooms. This report presents the findings from this study, which was conducted in a mock prison mailroom setting. Results show that a number of technologies might help intercept drugs in prison settings, but that they vary in cost and effectiveness with certain drugs.
Prison administrators must be on guard for attempts to smuggle illegal drugs into correctional facilities, and the prison mailroom is the third most common point of entry, after visitors and prison staff. NIJ funded a study to determine if commercially available drug detection systems could be effective in prison mailrooms. This report presents the findings from this study, which was conducted in a mock prison mailroom setting. Results show that a number of technologies might help intercept drugs in prison settings, but that they vary in cost and effectiveness with certain drugs.
ID cards won't comply with data protection laws / Silicon.com, 17 Nov 2004
http://management.silicon.com/government/0,39024677,39125978,00.htm
Andy McCue
The UK's data protection watchdog has again hit out at the government's ID card scheme, claiming it is not compliant with data protection laws.
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas was speaking at an Institute of Public Policy Research conference in London today.
He expressed concern over the 'vast database' of personal information that will be created and what that will be used for by different government departments and agencies. "
Andy McCue
The UK's data protection watchdog has again hit out at the government's ID card scheme, claiming it is not compliant with data protection laws.
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas was speaking at an Institute of Public Policy Research conference in London today.
He expressed concern over the 'vast database' of personal information that will be created and what that will be used for by different government departments and agencies. "
Leader: Blunkett should rethink ID card "folly" / Silicon.com, 17 Nov 2004
http://management.silicon.com/government/0,39024677,39125982,00.htm
"Still too many unanswered questions about cost and scope...
Home Secretary David Blunkett threw down the gauntlet to privacy activists and ID card opponents today claiming that the store loyalty cards we keep in our wallets are a bigger invasion of privacy than the UK's proposed biometric ID card scheme ever will be. "
"Still too many unanswered questions about cost and scope...
Home Secretary David Blunkett threw down the gauntlet to privacy activists and ID card opponents today claiming that the store loyalty cards we keep in our wallets are a bigger invasion of privacy than the UK's proposed biometric ID card scheme ever will be. "
Blunkett: Loyalty cards bigger threat than ID cards / Silicon.com, 17 Nov 2004
http://management.silicon.com/government/0,39024677,39125977,00.htm
Andy McCue
"Your store cards are a bigger invasion of privacy than ID cards, claims Home Secretary?
Home Secretary David Blunkett claimed store loyalty cards present a bigger threat to privacy than the government's ID card scheme and told opponents of the controversial project to 'get real' about 'Big Brother' surveillance accusations. "
Andy McCue
"Your store cards are a bigger invasion of privacy than ID cards, claims Home Secretary?
Home Secretary David Blunkett claimed store loyalty cards present a bigger threat to privacy than the government's ID card scheme and told opponents of the controversial project to 'get real' about 'Big Brother' surveillance accusations. "
Blunkett: Loyalty cards bigger threat than ID cards / Silicon.com, 17 Nov 2004
http://management.silicon.com/government/0,39024677,39125977,00.htm
Andy McCue
"Your store cards are a bigger invasion of privacy than ID cards, claims Home Secretary?
Home Secretary David Blunkett claimed store loyalty cards present a bigger threat to privacy than the government's ID card scheme and told opponents of the controversial project to 'get real' about 'Big Brother' surveillance accusations. "
Andy McCue
"Your store cards are a bigger invasion of privacy than ID cards, claims Home Secretary?
Home Secretary David Blunkett claimed store loyalty cards present a bigger threat to privacy than the government's ID card scheme and told opponents of the controversial project to 'get real' about 'Big Brother' surveillance accusations. "
Bracelets to bridle young offenders / [Australia] The Age, 18 Nov 2004
http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Bracelets-to-bridle-young-offenders/2004/11/17/1100574536000.html
Farrah Tomazin
"Youth offenders may soon be required to wear electronic bracelets to stop them escaping during temporary leave.
The Victorian Government is considering introducing the bracelets after an independent report on juvenile justice leave programs found security and training had to be strengthened to prevent young people absconding.
The report, by former deputy police commissioner Bob Falconer, urged the Government to investigate the benefits of using electronic global positioning devices on high-risk offenders who are allowed out in public on temporary leave from a custody centre."
Farrah Tomazin
"Youth offenders may soon be required to wear electronic bracelets to stop them escaping during temporary leave.
The Victorian Government is considering introducing the bracelets after an independent report on juvenile justice leave programs found security and training had to be strengthened to prevent young people absconding.
The report, by former deputy police commissioner Bob Falconer, urged the Government to investigate the benefits of using electronic global positioning devices on high-risk offenders who are allowed out in public on temporary leave from a custody centre."
ID Cards: Blunkett speaks on their protection of Civil Liberties / PublicTechnology, 18 Nov 2004
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2094
"Home Office Secretary, David Blunkett yesterday made a speech to the Institute of Public Policy Research to restate the case in favour of a secure national ID cards scheme.
The Government's plans for a national, compulsory ID cards scheme aim to create a practical, simple and secure way for ordinary citizens to protect and prove their identity - not a Big Brother-style surveillance tool, but many organisations question the technical feasibility and moral issues concerned with Blunkett's plans.
The Home Secretary drew a contrast between the basic information that would be held on individuals, backed by strict privacy safeguards and the far more detailed personal information people volunteer, often without realising it, through supermarket loyalty or credit cards. "
"Home Office Secretary, David Blunkett yesterday made a speech to the Institute of Public Policy Research to restate the case in favour of a secure national ID cards scheme.
The Government's plans for a national, compulsory ID cards scheme aim to create a practical, simple and secure way for ordinary citizens to protect and prove their identity - not a Big Brother-style surveillance tool, but many organisations question the technical feasibility and moral issues concerned with Blunkett's plans.
The Home Secretary drew a contrast between the basic information that would be held on individuals, backed by strict privacy safeguards and the far more detailed personal information people volunteer, often without realising it, through supermarket loyalty or credit cards. "
ID card doubts - Blunkett blames dead German philosopher | The Register, 17 Nov 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/17/kant_blunkett_id_debate/
"Home Secretary David Blunkett said today that the German philosopher Immanuel Kant is to blame for scepticism about the government's plans for a compulsory national identity card. He was speaking at a meeting at the Institute of Public Policy Research, restating his arguments in favour of the scheme.
The British public's fear of ID cards is down to our 'history of legitimate doubts about the intentions of the state, reinforced by what we saw in terms of communism and fascism over the last century', Blunkett said. 'It was writers like Kant who first took the view that there is something suspicious about government activity, and that if a government is up to something, it must be about removing freedoms.'"
"Home Secretary David Blunkett said today that the German philosopher Immanuel Kant is to blame for scepticism about the government's plans for a compulsory national identity card. He was speaking at a meeting at the Institute of Public Policy Research, restating his arguments in favour of the scheme.
The British public's fear of ID cards is down to our 'history of legitimate doubts about the intentions of the state, reinforced by what we saw in terms of communism and fascism over the last century', Blunkett said. 'It was writers like Kant who first took the view that there is something suspicious about government activity, and that if a government is up to something, it must be about removing freedoms.'"
Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill Receives Royal Assent / Nov 2004
http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk/the_cjs/whats_new/news-3062.html
"Includes key provisions of act.
Protection and support for victims of crime was greatly strengthened today as the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill received Royal Assent. The Act is the biggest overhaul of domestic violence legislation for thirty years and heralds tough new powers for the police and the courts to tackle offenders, while ensuring victims get the support and protection they need. "
"Includes key provisions of act.
Protection and support for victims of crime was greatly strengthened today as the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill received Royal Assent. The Act is the biggest overhaul of domestic violence legislation for thirty years and heralds tough new powers for the police and the courts to tackle offenders, while ensuring victims get the support and protection they need. "
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Doubts over legality of Dutch integration policy / Expatica Netherlands, 26 Oct 2004
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?channel_id=1&story_id=13242
"The Dutch government's plan to make it compulsory for all immigrants to integrate has run into legal difficulties, with three studies indicating that the implementation of the new system could prove unworkable.
Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk has unveiled plans to force all permanent immigrants to undergo compulsory integration. Immigrants, including those who have lived in the Netherlands for an extended period and have dual nationality status, will have to learn the Dutch language.
The studies have indicated that forcing immigrants who hold Dutch nationality to undergo Dutch language classes breaches the principle of equality."
"The Dutch government's plan to make it compulsory for all immigrants to integrate has run into legal difficulties, with three studies indicating that the implementation of the new system could prove unworkable.
Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk has unveiled plans to force all permanent immigrants to undergo compulsory integration. Immigrants, including those who have lived in the Netherlands for an extended period and have dual nationality status, will have to learn the Dutch language.
The studies have indicated that forcing immigrants who hold Dutch nationality to undergo Dutch language classes breaches the principle of equality."
Fighting Crime and Bureaucracy in the EU / DW-World, 16 Nov 2004
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1398532,00.html
Georg Matthes
"Eurojust, the EU body set up to investigate serious cross-border crime in the member states, faces a mountain of work. Its job is made harder by the lack of cohesion between many European institutions and organizations.
Human trafficking, computer crime and terrorism are just some of the crimes dealt with by Eurojust, the EU authority charged with the investigation and prosecution of serious cross-border and organized crime."
Georg Matthes
"Eurojust, the EU body set up to investigate serious cross-border crime in the member states, faces a mountain of work. Its job is made harder by the lack of cohesion between many European institutions and organizations.
Human trafficking, computer crime and terrorism are just some of the crimes dealt with by Eurojust, the EU authority charged with the investigation and prosecution of serious cross-border and organized crime."
IMMIGRATION CAN DESTABILIZE A SOCIETY: MUSLIMS IN THE DUTCH COUNTRY / Michigan New, 16 Nov 2004
http://www.michnews.com/artman/publish/article_5790.shtml
J. Grant Swank, Jr.
"The Muslims have poured into the Netherlands. Now they are sitting in one separate camp while the local Dutch sit in another. Threats fly through the air. A Muslim school was attacked. A church was attacked. It’s tit for tat going on. The police are on edge. The local citizenry is on edge.
What’s going to happen next? Where’s it all going to end? The government authorities don’t know. The neighborhoods don’t know."
J. Grant Swank, Jr.
"The Muslims have poured into the Netherlands. Now they are sitting in one separate camp while the local Dutch sit in another. Threats fly through the air. A Muslim school was attacked. A church was attacked. It’s tit for tat going on. The police are on edge. The local citizenry is on edge.
What’s going to happen next? Where’s it all going to end? The government authorities don’t know. The neighborhoods don’t know."
Prison sentences should be served in full, says judge / Telegraph, 17 Nov 2004
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/11/16/npris16.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/11/16/ixhome.html
Philip Johnston
"The early release of prisoners through tagging or automatic parole risks undermining public confidence in the criminal justice system, a report says today.
An independent inquiry into sentencing policy says that there should be far fewer people sent to jail, but those who are should normally serve the term handed down.
Lord Coulsfield
At present, most prisoners are released at the half-way stage and, under the home detention curfew scheme, can be allowed out of jail 135 days earlier than that. As a result, someone sentenced to three years in jail could be out in just over a year."
Philip Johnston
"The early release of prisoners through tagging or automatic parole risks undermining public confidence in the criminal justice system, a report says today.
An independent inquiry into sentencing policy says that there should be far fewer people sent to jail, but those who are should normally serve the term handed down.
Lord Coulsfield
At present, most prisoners are released at the half-way stage and, under the home detention curfew scheme, can be allowed out of jail 135 days earlier than that. As a result, someone sentenced to three years in jail could be out in just over a year."
'Crime, Courts and Confidence : Coulsfield Report, Nov 2004
http://www.rethinking.org.uk/coulsfield/index.shtml
Independent Inquiry into Alternatives to Custody
During the course of Rethinking Crime and Punishment, it has become clear that there is a need for a systematic and fundamental look at the proper role of prison and alternatives in the UK.
It contains a number of radical proposals to increase the effectiveness of and confidence in alternatives to prison. It includes a call for much greater community involvement in community-based sentences."
Independent Inquiry into Alternatives to Custody
During the course of Rethinking Crime and Punishment, it has become clear that there is a need for a systematic and fundamental look at the proper role of prison and alternatives in the UK.
It contains a number of radical proposals to increase the effectiveness of and confidence in alternatives to prison. It includes a call for much greater community involvement in community-based sentences."
Filling our prison system isn't likely to unlock justice / [USA] Detroit Free Press, 16 Nov 2004
http://www.freep.com/news/metro/cooper16e_20041116.htm
Desiree Cooper
"With such a wide swath of our citizenry behind bars, the effects of prison have spread beyond the offender. Society itself is now at risk. More than 2 million Americans are now behind bars -- the highest number in our history and the highest rate of incarceration in the world. It seems that as a society, we've decided that it's worth $50 billion a year -- nearly $30 billion more what's being proposed to combat AIDS in Africa and send a man to Mars combined -- to keep society safe from the nation's most dangerous elements.
We hold onto that belief despite the fact that crime has been plummeting for the past decade and 70 percent of the people behind bars are nonviolent offenders. And we continue to invest in harsh, mandatory sentences although they are completely ineffective in the war on drugs."
Desiree Cooper
"With such a wide swath of our citizenry behind bars, the effects of prison have spread beyond the offender. Society itself is now at risk. More than 2 million Americans are now behind bars -- the highest number in our history and the highest rate of incarceration in the world. It seems that as a society, we've decided that it's worth $50 billion a year -- nearly $30 billion more what's being proposed to combat AIDS in Africa and send a man to Mars combined -- to keep society safe from the nation's most dangerous elements.
We hold onto that belief despite the fact that crime has been plummeting for the past decade and 70 percent of the people behind bars are nonviolent offenders. And we continue to invest in harsh, mandatory sentences although they are completely ineffective in the war on drugs."
Blunkett pledge to tighten up border controls in asylum row / Yorkshire Post, 16 Nov 2004
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=888624
"Home Secretary David Blunkett yesterday vowed to tighten border controls after it emerged that violent scenes had prompted several police forces to block more asylum- seekers arriving in parts of Britain."
"Home Secretary David Blunkett yesterday vowed to tighten border controls after it emerged that violent scenes had prompted several police forces to block more asylum- seekers arriving in parts of Britain."
Selling surveillance - has Blunkett got a deal for you / The Register, 16 Nov 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/16/idcard_cost_fiddles/
"The Home Office's objective for the ID scheme doesn't actually have a great deal to do with the kinds of ID card and passport you either want or will get, and rather more to do with what it thinks you'll put up with paying. The money extracted goes towards what they really want - the National Identity Register (NIR). The primary goal of the scheme is to collect biometric and personal data on the entire population of the UK in order to build the NIR, and to use this together with your biometrics as a security and validation system. Cards and passports are merely a recruiting mechanism for this system, the most obvious and immediate example being passports, where you're going to have to co-operate sooner or later if you ever want to leave the country. It is therefore convenient from the Home Office's point of view that all your biometrics, rather than just the ones needed for passports, are collected when you apply for your new passport, because it's the quickest and surest way to get them all.
The real requirements Note that the Home Office doesn't need to do that, and that the National Identity Register doesn't need to be built as a consequence of what the Home Office does have to do. The ICAO international passport standard which will shortly be essential for travel to the US simply requires a biometric facial image, while new European standards whose introduction the Home Office itself supported will also require fingerprints on passports within the next few years. But the NIR is not a requirement. A chipped passport will be much harder to forge, while a biometric passport can be tied relatively easily to the bearer via a local check - no network or NIR required. That's the intent, and that's pretty much what more sensible countries will be doing. You could even throw away the biometrics after you'd put them in the passport, and you'd still have a pretty solid validation system for ports of entry."
"The Home Office's objective for the ID scheme doesn't actually have a great deal to do with the kinds of ID card and passport you either want or will get, and rather more to do with what it thinks you'll put up with paying. The money extracted goes towards what they really want - the National Identity Register (NIR). The primary goal of the scheme is to collect biometric and personal data on the entire population of the UK in order to build the NIR, and to use this together with your biometrics as a security and validation system. Cards and passports are merely a recruiting mechanism for this system, the most obvious and immediate example being passports, where you're going to have to co-operate sooner or later if you ever want to leave the country. It is therefore convenient from the Home Office's point of view that all your biometrics, rather than just the ones needed for passports, are collected when you apply for your new passport, because it's the quickest and surest way to get them all.
The real requirements Note that the Home Office doesn't need to do that, and that the National Identity Register doesn't need to be built as a consequence of what the Home Office does have to do. The ICAO international passport standard which will shortly be essential for travel to the US simply requires a biometric facial image, while new European standards whose introduction the Home Office itself supported will also require fingerprints on passports within the next few years. But the NIR is not a requirement. A chipped passport will be much harder to forge, while a biometric passport can be tied relatively easily to the bearer via a local check - no network or NIR required. That's the intent, and that's pretty much what more sensible countries will be doing. You could even throw away the biometrics after you'd put them in the passport, and you'd still have a pretty solid validation system for ports of entry."
Blunkett explains your terror nightmares - be very afraid / The Register, 16 Nov 2004
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/16/blunkett_be_afraid/
"If anything Blunkett is here describing the process of fear-driven government. He is presenting his measures as a reaction to people's fears, but simply reacting to fear, without conducting any kind of assessment of whether or not that fear is justified, stokes it. And the description of the measures as pre-emptive simply reinforces this - he is acting not to deal with properly assessed threats, but with things that might happen. This is exactly the case Adam Curtis argues in The Power of Nightmares - that fear is driven by the most extreme possible imaginations of what might happen. So not a good start. Blunkett then goes on to explain that the people's fear is increased by the press and the 24 x 7 society, i.e. people think there's more to be afraid of than there actually is (we presume this is the logic) but that he needs to react to this false level of fear anyway. No, we don't know why either."
"If anything Blunkett is here describing the process of fear-driven government. He is presenting his measures as a reaction to people's fears, but simply reacting to fear, without conducting any kind of assessment of whether or not that fear is justified, stokes it. And the description of the measures as pre-emptive simply reinforces this - he is acting not to deal with properly assessed threats, but with things that might happen. This is exactly the case Adam Curtis argues in The Power of Nightmares - that fear is driven by the most extreme possible imaginations of what might happen. So not a good start. Blunkett then goes on to explain that the people's fear is increased by the press and the 24 x 7 society, i.e. people think there's more to be afraid of than there actually is (we presume this is the logic) but that he needs to react to this false level of fear anyway. No, we don't know why either."
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Hard lines : The Government’s White Paper on defeating organised crime gives more power to prosecutors. Does it go too far? / The Lawyer, 15 Nov 2004
http://www.thelawyer.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=112936&d=122&h=24&f=46
Tim Owen QC and Alex Bailin
"The White Paper 'One Step Ahead: A 21st Century Strategy to Defeat Organised Crime' is a strange document. It announces the creation of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca), which has been 'tasked with defeating organised crime' and given commensurate powers, yet it seeks views on these apparently settled proposals. The proposed changes are highly relevant to commercial/white collar crime, since the definition of organised criminals is: �Those involved, normally working with others, in continuing serious criminal activities for substantial profit, whether based in the UK or elsewhere.� There is no discussion of whether this definition is unduly wide."
Tim Owen QC and Alex Bailin
"The White Paper 'One Step Ahead: A 21st Century Strategy to Defeat Organised Crime' is a strange document. It announces the creation of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca), which has been 'tasked with defeating organised crime' and given commensurate powers, yet it seeks views on these apparently settled proposals. The proposed changes are highly relevant to commercial/white collar crime, since the definition of organised criminals is: �Those involved, normally working with others, in continuing serious criminal activities for substantial profit, whether based in the UK or elsewhere.� There is no discussion of whether this definition is unduly wide."
Playing catch-up/ The Lawyer- 15 November 2004
http://www.thelawyer.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=112937&d=122&h=24&f=46
Andrew Durant and Dan Morrison
"Many fraud cases take too long to prosecute in a criminal court, forcing victims to take the civil route. Ministers are concerned, particularly because some of the most prominent fraud prosecutions have led to acquittals, and are planning to introduce new legislation (including, for the first time, a statutory definition of ?fraud?) to make it easier to convict because of the impression that fraudsters are laughing all the way to their Swiss banks."
Andrew Durant and Dan Morrison
"Many fraud cases take too long to prosecute in a criminal court, forcing victims to take the civil route. Ministers are concerned, particularly because some of the most prominent fraud prosecutions have led to acquittals, and are planning to introduce new legislation (including, for the first time, a statutory definition of ?fraud?) to make it easier to convict because of the impression that fraudsters are laughing all the way to their Swiss banks."
UK asylum advisers face the chop / New Kerala, 15 Nov 2004
http://athens-olympics-2004.newkerala.com/?action=fullnews&id=42686
"Over a 1000 of the total of 2500 immigration and asylum advisers presently employed in Britain effectively face being fired by next April.
This is because of problems surrounding a new state accreditation scheme that has been introduced with the laudable aim of putting those who offer, for large sums of money, useless and wrong advice, out of business. What it may also do, it seems, is drive away many of the experienced experts who currently operate the service.
What this will mean in reality, should the worst happen, is that many people from South Asia, as well as from other parts of the world, will not have their applications heard within a reasonable time. The backlog that already exists in Britain could become unmanageable. "
"Over a 1000 of the total of 2500 immigration and asylum advisers presently employed in Britain effectively face being fired by next April.
This is because of problems surrounding a new state accreditation scheme that has been introduced with the laudable aim of putting those who offer, for large sums of money, useless and wrong advice, out of business. What it may also do, it seems, is drive away many of the experienced experts who currently operate the service.
What this will mean in reality, should the worst happen, is that many people from South Asia, as well as from other parts of the world, will not have their applications heard within a reasonable time. The backlog that already exists in Britain could become unmanageable. "
We'll make pot laws, PM tells Cellucci / National Post, 11 Nov 2004
http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=108704a8-55ed-498e-b237-99b10cec7039
Sean Gordon
"Prime Minister Paul Martin yesterday brushed aside warnings from U.S. ambassador Paul Cellucci that a border crackdown will result if Canada decriminalizes marijuana, saying this country reserves the right to pass laws as it sees fit"
Sean Gordon
"Prime Minister Paul Martin yesterday brushed aside warnings from U.S. ambassador Paul Cellucci that a border crackdown will result if Canada decriminalizes marijuana, saying this country reserves the right to pass laws as it sees fit"
Monday, November 15, 2004
Magistrates take the hood off young offenders / Sunday Times, 14 Nov 2004
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1358376,00.html
John Elliott
"HOODED tops made popular by rap stars such as Eminem are being banned by local authorities, police forces and courts because of their associations with crime.
The bans, handed out to individuals as part of antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos), are designed to prevent young people concealing their identity from CCTV cameras. They also aim to reduce the intimidation felt by residents at seeing gangs of hooded youths lurking around their neighbourhoods."
John Elliott
"HOODED tops made popular by rap stars such as Eminem are being banned by local authorities, police forces and courts because of their associations with crime.
The bans, handed out to individuals as part of antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos), are designed to prevent young people concealing their identity from CCTV cameras. They also aim to reduce the intimidation felt by residents at seeing gangs of hooded youths lurking around their neighbourhoods."
'Caribbean Drugs' a timely study / Jamaica Observer, 14 Nov 2004
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/html/20041113T200000-0500_69510_OBS__CARIBBEAN_DRUGS__A_TIMELY_STUDY.asp
RICKEY SINGH
"FACED with the dangerous link between illicit drug consumption and the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Caribbean Community governments are now challenged to also intensify efforts to deal with overcrowded prisons where significant percentages of inmates are young people and women convicted for using or running marijuana and cocaine.
How to help reduce the tremendous harm that illicit drugs inflict on family life and the social and economic consequences to society, with a shift from traditional punitive penal custody that is an increasing burden to state resources, requires a fresh look at alternative policies and programmes, according to penal reform and human rights specialists and professionals of regional and international institutions and agencies."
RICKEY SINGH
"FACED with the dangerous link between illicit drug consumption and the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Caribbean Community governments are now challenged to also intensify efforts to deal with overcrowded prisons where significant percentages of inmates are young people and women convicted for using or running marijuana and cocaine.
How to help reduce the tremendous harm that illicit drugs inflict on family life and the social and economic consequences to society, with a shift from traditional punitive penal custody that is an increasing burden to state resources, requires a fresh look at alternative policies and programmes, according to penal reform and human rights specialists and professionals of regional and international institutions and agencies."
Juries' duties could grow / The New Bern Sun Journal, 15 Nov 2004
http://www.newbernsj.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=18449&Section=Local
Barry smith
"Juries in North Carolina could soon be given a few extra chores, thanks to a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year.
In addition to deciding the guilt or innocence of a defendant, jurors will likely be asked in some cases to determine whether aggravating factors were involved in the case - factors that could lead to an enhanced sentence and more prison time for the defendant."
Barry smith
"Juries in North Carolina could soon be given a few extra chores, thanks to a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year.
In addition to deciding the guilt or innocence of a defendant, jurors will likely be asked in some cases to determine whether aggravating factors were involved in the case - factors that could lead to an enhanced sentence and more prison time for the defendant."
Prisoners For Profit / [USA] The Day, 14 Nov 2004
http://www.theday.com/eng/web/news/re.aspx?re=16E446F1-1B66-4D45-8D39-CB7E234014EE
Prison Administration
RONALD FRASER
"Here is how prison policies made in Hartford and Washington take on a life of their own. Once prison operators, prison employees and community tax collectors learned they could profit from harsh, lock �em up drug control laws, a powerful political force was born to keep prisons full."
Prison Administration
RONALD FRASER
"Here is how prison policies made in Hartford and Washington take on a life of their own. Once prison operators, prison employees and community tax collectors learned they could profit from harsh, lock �em up drug control laws, a powerful political force was born to keep prisons full."
Are police pulling trigger too fast? / Colorado springs Gazette, 15 Nov 2004
http://www.gazette.com/display.php?sid=1345878
DEEDEE CORRELL and ANSLEE WILLETT
"Colorado Springs police fired their stun guns at people an average of 40 times a month in the first six months they carried the weapons.
That's 20 times more than Denver police fired theirs. During a 14-month period, Denver police used the guns an average of 16 times a month.
Colorado Springs shocked more people in the first half of 2004 than did Phoenix police, a department with four times as many officers. "
DEEDEE CORRELL and ANSLEE WILLETT
"Colorado Springs police fired their stun guns at people an average of 40 times a month in the first six months they carried the weapons.
That's 20 times more than Denver police fired theirs. During a 14-month period, Denver police used the guns an average of 16 times a month.
Colorado Springs shocked more people in the first half of 2004 than did Phoenix police, a department with four times as many officers. "
Doctors warn of dangers of 'herbal high' pills / Stuff New Zealand, 15 Nov 2004
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3096007a11,00.html
"Christchurch emergency doctors are warning partygoers of the dangers of 'herbal high' pills as an increasing number of sick revellers fill hospital beds.
Christchurch Hospital's emergency department is seeing at least six patients a weekend suffering from severe paranoia and dehydration after taking the apparently safe herbal drugs.
Emergency medicine specialist Dr Martin Than said yesterday that party-goers were arriving at the hospital hysterical and requiring sedation.
The herbal pills are legal and have a mild hallucinogenic-amphetamine effect, similar to that of illegal drugs such as P, speed and ecstasy.
All are sold over the counter and are advertised as a safe, legal alternative to illegal highs. "
"Christchurch emergency doctors are warning partygoers of the dangers of 'herbal high' pills as an increasing number of sick revellers fill hospital beds.
Christchurch Hospital's emergency department is seeing at least six patients a weekend suffering from severe paranoia and dehydration after taking the apparently safe herbal drugs.
Emergency medicine specialist Dr Martin Than said yesterday that party-goers were arriving at the hospital hysterical and requiring sedation.
The herbal pills are legal and have a mild hallucinogenic-amphetamine effect, similar to that of illegal drugs such as P, speed and ecstasy.
All are sold over the counter and are advertised as a safe, legal alternative to illegal highs. "
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Three-Day System for Asylum Bids 'Not Unfair' / Scotsman, 12 Nov 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3749904
John Aston
"The Government's new, experimental fast-track system for dealing with asylum applications was given the backing of the Court of Appeal today.
The Refugee Legal Centre had urged the court to rule the system being tested at Harmondsworth Detention Centre in west London, near Heathrow Airport, 'unlawful and unfair'?.
Human rights lawyers argued that the three-day timetable for processing claims was too fast to be fair, but the three appeal judges ruled the system was not inherently unfair as long as it remained flexible."
John Aston
"The Government's new, experimental fast-track system for dealing with asylum applications was given the backing of the Court of Appeal today.
The Refugee Legal Centre had urged the court to rule the system being tested at Harmondsworth Detention Centre in west London, near Heathrow Airport, 'unlawful and unfair'?.
Human rights lawyers argued that the three-day timetable for processing claims was too fast to be fair, but the three appeal judges ruled the system was not inherently unfair as long as it remained flexible."
UN criticises Blunkett over Iraqi refugees / Independent, 12 Nov 2004
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=582030
Colin Brown
"David Blunkett was accused last night of imposing 'punitive' measures against Iraqi asylum-seekers by the United Nations' refugees agency.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees accused the Home Secretary of using coercion to force refugees to leave Britain to face life in the midst of the worsening violence in Iraq.
The UNHCR has sent an official warning notice to the Government saying that the continuing violence is too great to allow refugees to return safely. Tony Blair has claimed that daily life for most ordinary people inside Iraq has improved since the war, and that conditions are now stabilising."
Colin Brown
"David Blunkett was accused last night of imposing 'punitive' measures against Iraqi asylum-seekers by the United Nations' refugees agency.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees accused the Home Secretary of using coercion to force refugees to leave Britain to face life in the midst of the worsening violence in Iraq.
The UNHCR has sent an official warning notice to the Government saying that the continuing violence is too great to allow refugees to return safely. Tony Blair has claimed that daily life for most ordinary people inside Iraq has improved since the war, and that conditions are now stabilising."
Workers face zero tolerance on drugs / Sydney Morning Herald, 13 nov 2004
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Workers-face-zero-tolerance-on-drugs/2004/11/12/1100227582262.html
Malcolm Brown, Sherrill Nixon and Justin Norrie
"NSW police are set to introduce one of the most sweeping drug and alcohol testing regimes in Australia, in a zero-tolerance approach expected to be copied in workplaces across the country.
The Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, yesterday foreshadowed the tougher screening procedures, which will extend to the force's civilian employees, applicants for police cadetships and off-duty officers.
Workplace experts expect the police crackdown will entice other employers to follow suit, raising concerns about the rigour of testing and the way in which results are used.
Mr Moroney said he had been 'disappointed and angered' by evidence before the Police Integrity Commission that some of his officers continued to be involved in illicit drug use, saying the behaviour undermined the reputation of honest police and could place the community at risk.
'The community is entitled to have trust and confidence in their police and that trust must extend to the knowledge that all police officers discharge their oath of office with sound judgement and without being affected by illegal drugs,' he said."
Malcolm Brown, Sherrill Nixon and Justin Norrie
"NSW police are set to introduce one of the most sweeping drug and alcohol testing regimes in Australia, in a zero-tolerance approach expected to be copied in workplaces across the country.
The Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, yesterday foreshadowed the tougher screening procedures, which will extend to the force's civilian employees, applicants for police cadetships and off-duty officers.
Workplace experts expect the police crackdown will entice other employers to follow suit, raising concerns about the rigour of testing and the way in which results are used.
Mr Moroney said he had been 'disappointed and angered' by evidence before the Police Integrity Commission that some of his officers continued to be involved in illicit drug use, saying the behaviour undermined the reputation of honest police and could place the community at risk.
'The community is entitled to have trust and confidence in their police and that trust must extend to the knowledge that all police officers discharge their oath of office with sound judgement and without being affected by illegal drugs,' he said."
Crackdown Targets New Wave of Mobs / Washington Post, 13 Nov 2004
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46470-2004Nov12.html?sub=AR
Michelle Garcia and Michael Powell"The new underworld increasingly belongs to more recent ethnic arrivals, some of whom work in tandem with the old Mafia lions. 'As in the early days of the traditional organized crime groups, the victims were people of their own immigrant communities,' "
Michelle Garcia and Michael Powell"The new underworld increasingly belongs to more recent ethnic arrivals, some of whom work in tandem with the old Mafia lions. 'As in the early days of the traditional organized crime groups, the victims were people of their own immigrant communities,' "
Friday, November 12, 2004
Police 'being told to turn blind eye to P' / Stuff,: New Zealand, 13 Nov 2004
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3094933a10,00.html
"Police in some parts of the country have been ordered not to hunt for illicit laboratories making the drug P.
Several officers say there is an unwritten message not to go after gangs and drug labs because dealing with the labs is too difficult and because police chiefs do not want crime statistics to look bad, an Auckland newspaper reports.
High-ranking police officers and Police Minister George Hawkins have dismissed the claims.
But one officer from the North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney district said he was told by a supervisor not to target gang-related activities so the district would not feature badly in crime statistics.
'Our boss has decreed that we don't target gangs specifically,' he said.
'They have buried their heads in the sand, saying that if we don't target it, we don't create a statistic and therefore we don't look bad.'
The officer said the addictive and destructive drug ? pure methamphetamine, or P, mostly made and sold by gangs ? was 'the most serious thing around' and now staff were allowed to follow it up only if they came across it. "
"Police in some parts of the country have been ordered not to hunt for illicit laboratories making the drug P.
Several officers say there is an unwritten message not to go after gangs and drug labs because dealing with the labs is too difficult and because police chiefs do not want crime statistics to look bad, an Auckland newspaper reports.
High-ranking police officers and Police Minister George Hawkins have dismissed the claims.
But one officer from the North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney district said he was told by a supervisor not to target gang-related activities so the district would not feature badly in crime statistics.
'Our boss has decreed that we don't target gangs specifically,' he said.
'They have buried their heads in the sand, saying that if we don't target it, we don't create a statistic and therefore we don't look bad.'
The officer said the addictive and destructive drug ? pure methamphetamine, or P, mostly made and sold by gangs ? was 'the most serious thing around' and now staff were allowed to follow it up only if they came across it. "
UK immigration soars to 91,000 - The Herald, 11 Nov 2004
http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/27767.html
Michael Settle
"EASTERN European migration to Britain was seven times greater in just five months than the government had predicted it would be for a whole year, official figures showed last night."
Michael Settle
"EASTERN European migration to Britain was seven times greater in just five months than the government had predicted it would be for a whole year, official figures showed last night."
Report Maps Organised Crime in Greece . Southeast European Times, 11 Nov 2004
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2004/11/11/feature-03
George Anagnostopoulos"According to an annual report conducted by Greek police forces and sent to Europol, authorities investigated 157 cases of organised crime during 2003. Fourteen types of crime were recorded, ranging from relatively minor ones -- such as insider betting and illegal trading of cultural products -- to extremely serious ones, including drug smuggling, blackmail, forgery, child pornography and human trafficking. "
George Anagnostopoulos"According to an annual report conducted by Greek police forces and sent to Europol, authorities investigated 157 cases of organised crime during 2003. Fourteen types of crime were recorded, ranging from relatively minor ones -- such as insider betting and illegal trading of cultural products -- to extremely serious ones, including drug smuggling, blackmail, forgery, child pornography and human trafficking. "
Female Prison Population at All Time High / Join together, 11 Nov 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0%2C1854%2C575145%2C00.html
"A Justice Department report finds that the number of women in state and federal prisons has increased to an all-time high and continues to grow at a steady rate, the Associated Press reported Nov. 8.
According to the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics report, there were 101,179 women in prisons in 2003, up 3.6 percent from 2002. It is the first time that the female prison population topped 100,000.
The report showed that the incarceration rate for women is increasing at nearly twice that of men. Since 1995, the number of women incarcerated has increased 48 percent, compared with 29 percent for male prisoners."
"A Justice Department report finds that the number of women in state and federal prisons has increased to an all-time high and continues to grow at a steady rate, the Associated Press reported Nov. 8.
According to the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics report, there were 101,179 women in prisons in 2003, up 3.6 percent from 2002. It is the first time that the female prison population topped 100,000.
The report showed that the incarceration rate for women is increasing at nearly twice that of men. Since 1995, the number of women incarcerated has increased 48 percent, compared with 29 percent for male prisoners."
Police in San Jose decry new system International Herald Tribune, 12 Nov 2004
http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/11/11/business/dispatch.html
Katie Hafner
"San Jose has a reputation as one of the safest large cities in the United States, with the fewest police officers per capita.
.
Yet a number of the 1,000 officers in this city of 925,000 in the heart of Silicon Valley have been worrying about their own safety of late. Since June, the police department has been using a new mobile dispatch system that includes a touch-screen computer based on Microsoft's Windows in every patrol car. But officers have said the system is so complex and difficult to use that it is jeopardizing their ability to do their jobs."
Katie Hafner
"San Jose has a reputation as one of the safest large cities in the United States, with the fewest police officers per capita.
.
Yet a number of the 1,000 officers in this city of 925,000 in the heart of Silicon Valley have been worrying about their own safety of late. Since June, the police department has been using a new mobile dispatch system that includes a touch-screen computer based on Microsoft's Windows in every patrol car. But officers have said the system is so complex and difficult to use that it is jeopardizing their ability to do their jobs."
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Prison Population Increases as Crime Declines / Join Together, 10 Nov 2004
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0%2C1854%2C575137%2C00.html
"Although both violent and property crimes declined last year, a new Justice Department study finds that the federal and state prison population increased 2.1 percent, mainly because of tougher sentencing laws passed in the 1990s"
"Prisoners in 2003 (NCJ-205335)," Paige M. Harrison and Allen J. Beck
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/p03.htm
"Although both violent and property crimes declined last year, a new Justice Department study finds that the federal and state prison population increased 2.1 percent, mainly because of tougher sentencing laws passed in the 1990s"
"Prisoners in 2003 (NCJ-205335)," Paige M. Harrison and Allen J. Beck
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/p03.htm
More Prisoners on Parole Committing Crimes, Says Report / Scotsman , 10 Nov 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3742237"David Barrett, PA Home Affairs Correspondent
The number of prisoners who commit a crime after being granted parole has risen significantly for the second successive year, official figures showed today.
The Parole Board also revealed 52 prisoners who had been freed on licence from life sentences were sent back to jail last year ? a rise of 73%.
Its annual report said it was a matter of ?great concern? that 7% of all inmates approved for release by the board committed another crime in 2003/4, up from 5.8% the previous year.
Research was already under way to examine reasons behind the rise, it added.
The overall number of recalls for all types of breaches rose by 28.6% year-on-year to 8,133. In 1999/2000 the total number of breaches was just 2,457.
Most of the recalls involved automatic release cases in which the board did not make the decision to free the offender, said a Parole Board spokeswoman."
The number of prisoners who commit a crime after being granted parole has risen significantly for the second successive year, official figures showed today.
The Parole Board also revealed 52 prisoners who had been freed on licence from life sentences were sent back to jail last year ? a rise of 73%.
Its annual report said it was a matter of ?great concern? that 7% of all inmates approved for release by the board committed another crime in 2003/4, up from 5.8% the previous year.
Research was already under way to examine reasons behind the rise, it added.
The overall number of recalls for all types of breaches rose by 28.6% year-on-year to 8,133. In 1999/2000 the total number of breaches was just 2,457.
Most of the recalls involved automatic release cases in which the board did not make the decision to free the offender, said a Parole Board spokeswoman."
Asylum Seekers: Mentor scheme to integrate refugees / Peterborough Today, 10 Nov 2004
http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=845&ArticleID=885359
"A unique £93,000 lottery-funded scheme, which will see members of the public becoming mentors to refugees and asylum seekers, is due to be launched in Peterborough.
Organisers hope the Time Together project will dispel the image of immigrants as 'scroungers' and 'benefit fraudsters', and help them integrate into the community.
It will be run from the Government-funded New Link centre, in Lincoln Road, Millfield, Peterborough.
The initiative is being run by national volunteering charity TimeBank, which is now looking for volunteer mentors from the city area.
Mentors will be asked to spend about five hours a month with their mentee, helping them with tasks such as writing a CV or practising their English, explaining how the internet or job market works, or taking them to a museum, gallery or football match."
"A unique £93,000 lottery-funded scheme, which will see members of the public becoming mentors to refugees and asylum seekers, is due to be launched in Peterborough.
Organisers hope the Time Together project will dispel the image of immigrants as 'scroungers' and 'benefit fraudsters', and help them integrate into the community.
It will be run from the Government-funded New Link centre, in Lincoln Road, Millfield, Peterborough.
The initiative is being run by national volunteering charity TimeBank, which is now looking for volunteer mentors from the city area.
Mentors will be asked to spend about five hours a month with their mentee, helping them with tasks such as writing a CV or practising their English, explaining how the internet or job market works, or taking them to a museum, gallery or football match."
Dutch urge EU to act fast to integrate immigrants / Reuters, 10 Nov 2004
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L10154647.htm
"Many European Union states are at risk from increasing radicalism among young Muslims and must act urgently to improve integration of foreigners, Dutch Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk said on Wednesday.
Verdonk called on a conference of EU officials in the northern Dutch town of Groningen to discuss concrete measures to improve integration of Europe's growing immigrant communities.
She was speaking as Dutch police were engaged in a standoff with suspects sought in an anti-terrorism investigation and just over a week after police arrested a 26-year-old Dutch-Moroccan on suspicion of killing outspoken filmmaker Theo van Gogh.
'I am speaking to you with an urgent tone. There are problems that we must keep our eye on. If we don't do anything, these problems will only get worse in the long term,' she said."
"Many European Union states are at risk from increasing radicalism among young Muslims and must act urgently to improve integration of foreigners, Dutch Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk said on Wednesday.
Verdonk called on a conference of EU officials in the northern Dutch town of Groningen to discuss concrete measures to improve integration of Europe's growing immigrant communities.
She was speaking as Dutch police were engaged in a standoff with suspects sought in an anti-terrorism investigation and just over a week after police arrested a 26-year-old Dutch-Moroccan on suspicion of killing outspoken filmmaker Theo van Gogh.
'I am speaking to you with an urgent tone. There are problems that we must keep our eye on. If we don't do anything, these problems will only get worse in the long term,' she said."
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Propping up rural and small town Britain: migrant workers from the new Europe / TUC, Nov 2004
http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/migrantNewEurope.pdf
Immigration & Asylum
The report examines the situation of workers from central and Eastern Europe in the six months since ten new countries joined the EU on 1 May. It finds that the pattern of migration into the UK is changing, with workers more likely to be found in the rural areas and small towns of Britain, as opposed to earlier waves of migrant workers who tended to settle in the UK's big towns and cities. They are being recruited to work in industries and services such as food processing, hospitality and agriculture which are experiencing major problems filling job vacancies.
The report includes case studies and makes recommendations including the need for Unions to grasp the challenge thrown down by this new influx of workers and work to recruit large numbers into membership to limit the capacity of employers to exploit, and to prevent divisions from springing up between different groups of workers.
Immigration & Asylum
The report examines the situation of workers from central and Eastern Europe in the six months since ten new countries joined the EU on 1 May. It finds that the pattern of migration into the UK is changing, with workers more likely to be found in the rural areas and small towns of Britain, as opposed to earlier waves of migrant workers who tended to settle in the UK's big towns and cities. They are being recruited to work in industries and services such as food processing, hospitality and agriculture which are experiencing major problems filling job vacancies.
The report includes case studies and makes recommendations including the need for Unions to grasp the challenge thrown down by this new influx of workers and work to recruit large numbers into membership to limit the capacity of employers to exploit, and to prevent divisions from springing up between different groups of workers.
Lost generation / Community Care, 4 Nov 2004
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/articles/article.asp?liarticleid=46889&liSectionID=22&sKeys=&liParentID=26
Treatment of Offenders
Clare Jerrom
The appalling conditions endured by 18-to-20-year-olds in custody have long been deplored by campaigners and the chief inspector of prisons, who describes the group as the “lost generation". Exclusive research carried out for Community Care as part of our 'Back on Track' campaign has found that this group are also bearing the brunt of the population pressures in prisons and are being moved from jail to jail, being forced to spend their usually short sentences in a variety of establishments. Not only is this disruptive and distressing for this vulnerable group, but it has a knock on effect on their education and mental health, and the distance they are held from their home.
In its first term in office, the government focussed heavily on children who offend and injected cash and resources into the juvenile estate. This has resulted in the creation of the Youth Justice Board, the establishment of youth offending teams to work with young people, and a focus on community alternatives to prison. However, this emphasis on the under-18s has only served to highlight the awful conditions the 18-20 year old “young adult offenders”, who are too old to benefit from the Youth Justice Board’s reforms, are subjected to.
Treatment of Offenders
Clare Jerrom
The appalling conditions endured by 18-to-20-year-olds in custody have long been deplored by campaigners and the chief inspector of prisons, who describes the group as the “lost generation". Exclusive research carried out for Community Care as part of our 'Back on Track' campaign has found that this group are also bearing the brunt of the population pressures in prisons and are being moved from jail to jail, being forced to spend their usually short sentences in a variety of establishments. Not only is this disruptive and distressing for this vulnerable group, but it has a knock on effect on their education and mental health, and the distance they are held from their home.
In its first term in office, the government focussed heavily on children who offend and injected cash and resources into the juvenile estate. This has resulted in the creation of the Youth Justice Board, the establishment of youth offending teams to work with young people, and a focus on community alternatives to prison. However, this emphasis on the under-18s has only served to highlight the awful conditions the 18-20 year old “young adult offenders”, who are too old to benefit from the Youth Justice Board’s reforms, are subjected to.
Does Communities that Care work? An evaluation of a community-based risk prevention programme in three neighbourhoods / JFR, Nov 2004No
http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/1859351840.pdf
Shows how one such approach can be implemented in deprived communities, what impacts it is having after five years of implementation and how these can be measured.
Shows how one such approach can be implemented in deprived communities, what impacts it is having after five years of implementation and how these can be measured.
Public misconceptions of youth crime / Nuffield foundation, 3 Nov 2004
Presents the findings from a review of public attitudes to youth crime and justice in England and Wales.
Criminologists at King's College London and the University of Ottawa found that the public has a more pessimistic view of youth crime than is justified by official crime statistics. But while most people said they wanted the youth justice system to be tougher on young offenders, many were supportive of restorative or rehabilitative approaches when presented with detail on specific cases.
A summary of the report Youth crime and youth justice: Public opinion in England and Wales -
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/fileLibrary/pdf/summary.pdf
Criminologists at King's College London and the University of Ottawa found that the public has a more pessimistic view of youth crime than is justified by official crime statistics. But while most people said they wanted the youth justice system to be tougher on young offenders, many were supportive of restorative or rehabilitative approaches when presented with detail on specific cases.
A summary of the report Youth crime and youth justice: Public opinion in England and Wales -
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/fileLibrary/pdf/summary.pdf
Police act to foil mobile theft / Bucks Free Press, 9 Nov 2004
http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.544182.0.police_act_to_foil_mobile_theft.php
Clare Kelly
MOBILE phone owners will be able to take action against thieves and help police recover stolen equipment thanks to a new database.
Thames Valley Police have joined other forces in developing a national mobile database for stolen or lost equipment, brought about by the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit.
The database offers a free service where people can register details of their mobile phones online.
If police recover mobile phones they can check the database and return the equipment to its owners.
Clare Kelly
MOBILE phone owners will be able to take action against thieves and help police recover stolen equipment thanks to a new database.
Thames Valley Police have joined other forces in developing a national mobile database for stolen or lost equipment, brought about by the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit.
The database offers a free service where people can register details of their mobile phones online.
If police recover mobile phones they can check the database and return the equipment to its owners.
Can police dogs be used at routine stops? / The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov 2004
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1110/p02s01-usju.html?s=hns
"Court to decide whether canines can sniff for drugs during a traffic violation stop.
While dog sniffs are not physically invasive, they do intrude on reasonable privacy interests," says a Chicago lawyer, in his brief to the court. "Using a drug dog during an otherwise routine stop can be intimidating, accusatory, and humiliating. A decision in the case, Illinois v. Caballes, is expected by next June."
"Court to decide whether canines can sniff for drugs during a traffic violation stop.
While dog sniffs are not physically invasive, they do intrude on reasonable privacy interests," says a Chicago lawyer, in his brief to the court. "Using a drug dog during an otherwise routine stop can be intimidating, accusatory, and humiliating. A decision in the case, Illinois v. Caballes, is expected by next June."
Children groomed for sex trafficking / IcWales, 9 Nov 2004
Madeleine Brindley
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=14850793&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=children-groomed-for-trafficking-and-prostitution-name_page.html
Children in Wales are being enslaved into a sordid life of sexual exploitation and prostitution, experts warned today.
Adults are grooming and trafficking vulnerable children as young as 12 from Welsh care homes to work in massage parlours throughout South Wales.
The shocking trade is being fuelled by the internet, putting adults intent on fulfilling their depraved sexual desires and fantasies in physical contact with these exploited young children.
It is also thought that children of asylum seekers and refugees are being trafficked into Wales to work in the underground sex trade.
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=14850793&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=children-groomed-for-trafficking-and-prostitution-name_page.html
Children in Wales are being enslaved into a sordid life of sexual exploitation and prostitution, experts warned today.
Adults are grooming and trafficking vulnerable children as young as 12 from Welsh care homes to work in massage parlours throughout South Wales.
The shocking trade is being fuelled by the internet, putting adults intent on fulfilling their depraved sexual desires and fantasies in physical contact with these exploited young children.
It is also thought that children of asylum seekers and refugees are being trafficked into Wales to work in the underground sex trade.
Neighbourhood Police Key to Building Commmunities and Beating Crime / Home Office Press Release, 9 Nov 2004
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=134854&NewsAreaID=2
The policy paper, 'Building Communities, Beating Crime', sets out plans for a new neighbourhood policing fund to support the development of dedicated neighbourhood policing teams across the country. These community-focussed teams of police officers, backed up by police community support officers (PCSOs) and police support staff will use community-based intelligence to tackle local crime. They will be embedded in their local community, tackling the issues of concern to local people and being held to account by those local people, with the community getting new powers to 'trigger' action where their police force, local authority or other community safety partners are not delivering.
The policy paper, 'Building Communities, Beating Crime', sets out plans for a new neighbourhood policing fund to support the development of dedicated neighbourhood policing teams across the country. These community-focussed teams of police officers, backed up by police community support officers (PCSOs) and police support staff will use community-based intelligence to tackle local crime. They will be embedded in their local community, tackling the issues of concern to local people and being held to account by those local people, with the community getting new powers to 'trigger' action where their police force, local authority or other community safety partners are not delivering.
Ethnic Minority Communities / COI Communications Common Good Research, 2004
http://www.coidigital.net/pdf/common-good-bme-exec-summ.pdf
The objectives of the research programme were:
•To explore the social, cultural and attitudinal factors which
impact on the communications needs of ethnic minority
communities;
•To provide strategic and creative guidance on communicating
with ethnic minority communities.
The objectives of the research programme were:
•To explore the social, cultural and attitudinal factors which
impact on the communications needs of ethnic minority
communities;
•To provide strategic and creative guidance on communicating
with ethnic minority communities.
Norfolk says it can't afford police plan / EDP24, 10 Nov 2004
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=edponline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED09%20Nov%202004%2023%3A24%3A04%3A757
A senior Norfolk police official poured cold water last night on Home Office plans to create dedicated teams of officers for every neighbourhood and declared "we can't do this without the money".
Jim Wilson, chairman of Norfolk Police Authority, said the Government White Paper was undeliverable and accused ministers of raising expectations without providing necessary funding.
The criticism came after David Blunkett unveiled government plans for the overhaul of policing in England and Wales.
Key features of the White Paper – entitled Building Communities, Beating Crime – include each community having its own team of officers, residents being given the mobile phone number of their local bobby and £50m to create 2000 new Community Support Officers (CSOs) .
A senior Norfolk police official poured cold water last night on Home Office plans to create dedicated teams of officers for every neighbourhood and declared "we can't do this without the money".
Jim Wilson, chairman of Norfolk Police Authority, said the Government White Paper was undeliverable and accused ministers of raising expectations without providing necessary funding.
The criticism came after David Blunkett unveiled government plans for the overhaul of policing in England and Wales.
Key features of the White Paper – entitled Building Communities, Beating Crime – include each community having its own team of officers, residents being given the mobile phone number of their local bobby and £50m to create 2000 new Community Support Officers (CSOs) .
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