PDF - http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/209269.pdf
"What factors contribute to - or detract from - police officer integrity, and how can police administrators measure integrity? From a national survey of police officers, researchers identified characteristics of agency culture that encourage officers to resist or tolerate certain types of misconduct. This Research for Practice summarizes the survey findings and includes an assessment tool that police chiefs can use to measure integrity within their departments.'"
Saturday, December 31, 2005
[USA] Beyond Connecting the Dots: A VITAL Framework for Sharing Law Enforcement Intelligence Information / U.S. House of Representatives Committee on
on Homeland Security - Democratic Office, 2005
PDF - http://hsc-democrats.house.gov/NR/rdonlyres/4EA35B9C-3DF2-4723-B8FE-0AF6F2E07A96/0/HomelandSecurityDemocratsIntelConvertReport.pdf
"Finds that frontline law enforcement officers are often unable to access intelligence information that could be critical to catching terrorists at our borders, our ports, our cities, and our towns throughout America.'"
PDF - http://hsc-democrats.house.gov/NR/rdonlyres/4EA35B9C-3DF2-4723-B8FE-0AF6F2E07A96/0/HomelandSecurityDemocratsIntelConvertReport.pdf
"Finds that frontline law enforcement officers are often unable to access intelligence information that could be critical to catching terrorists at our borders, our ports, our cities, and our towns throughout America.'"
[USA] A Review of Remote Surveillance Technology Along U.S. Land Borders / DHS, 2005
PDF - http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interweb/assetlibrary/OIG_06-15_Dec05.pdf
"Remote surveillance technology is managed by OBP (Office of Border Patrol) under the auspices of the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System (ISIS) program and the America's Shield Initiative (ASI). The ISIS program and ASI have received funding annually since Fiscal Year (FY) 1997 -- to date more than $429 million. Several limitations of border surveillance and remote assessment and monitoring technology as well as significant delays and cost overruns in the procurement of the RVS system have impeded the success of ISIS.'"
"Remote surveillance technology is managed by OBP (Office of Border Patrol) under the auspices of the Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System (ISIS) program and the America's Shield Initiative (ASI). The ISIS program and ASI have received funding annually since Fiscal Year (FY) 1997 -- to date more than $429 million. Several limitations of border surveillance and remote assessment and monitoring technology as well as significant delays and cost overruns in the procurement of the RVS system have impeded the success of ISIS.'"
PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Economic Crime Survey 2005
PDF - http://www.pwc.com/gx/eng/cfr/gecs/PwC_2005_global_crimesurvey.pdf
"The threat of fraud- from apparently simple cases of bribery to complex financial misrepresentation - is more prominent than ever on the agendas of company directors and financial regulators. But executives have had little hard evidence to assess the scale of the problem they face. How prevalent is fraud? What is its real damage? Who perpetrates it? And are there really any effective ways of mitigating its risk? PwC's third biennial Economic Crime Survey is based on interviews with more than 3,600 senior executives in 34 countries, and reveals their experiences with fraud, its causes and losses, their responses and recovery actions and the effectiveness of fraud prevention measures.'"
Country-Specific Reports - PDF - http://www.pwc.com/extweb/insights.nsf/docid/13B59FA29B864E18852570C1005983C7
"The threat of fraud- from apparently simple cases of bribery to complex financial misrepresentation - is more prominent than ever on the agendas of company directors and financial regulators. But executives have had little hard evidence to assess the scale of the problem they face. How prevalent is fraud? What is its real damage? Who perpetrates it? And are there really any effective ways of mitigating its risk? PwC's third biennial Economic Crime Survey is based on interviews with more than 3,600 senior executives in 34 countries, and reveals their experiences with fraud, its causes and losses, their responses and recovery actions and the effectiveness of fraud prevention measures.'"
Country-Specific Reports - PDF - http://www.pwc.com/extweb/insights.nsf/docid/13B59FA29B864E18852570C1005983C7
Co-Offending and Patterns of Juvenile Crime / [US] National Institute of Justice, 2005
PDF - http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/210360.pdf
"'Juveniles often commit crimes in pairs or groups, a process known as co-offending. An NIJ-sponsored study of delinquents in Philadelphia found several patterns related to juvenile co-offending. The researchers linked co-offending with increased risks for recidivism and violence. Interaction among delinquent peers seems to instigate crimes and escalate their severity. The youngest offenders were more likely to co-offend and were more likely to become violent if their earliest crimes were committed with violent offenders, even if those crimes were not violent. The researchers recommend early intervention targeting very young offenders, especially co-offenders, although more research is needed. But, they also caution that some interventions may enhance the effects of co-offending by placing youths in groups that unintentionally provide negative peer learning.'"
"'Juveniles often commit crimes in pairs or groups, a process known as co-offending. An NIJ-sponsored study of delinquents in Philadelphia found several patterns related to juvenile co-offending. The researchers linked co-offending with increased risks for recidivism and violence. Interaction among delinquent peers seems to instigate crimes and escalate their severity. The youngest offenders were more likely to co-offend and were more likely to become violent if their earliest crimes were committed with violent offenders, even if those crimes were not violent. The researchers recommend early intervention targeting very young offenders, especially co-offenders, although more research is needed. But, they also caution that some interventions may enhance the effects of co-offending by placing youths in groups that unintentionally provide negative peer learning.'"
Passive Sponsors of Terrorism / The Brookings Institution, 2005
PDF - http://www.brookings.edu/views/articles/byman/20051216_survival.pdf
"Open and active state sponsorship of terrorism is blessedly rare, and it has decreased since the end of the Cold War. Yet this lack of open support does not necessarily diminish the important role that states play in fostering or hindering terrorism. At times, the greatest contribution a state can make to a terrorist's cause is by not acting. A border not policed, a blind eye turned to fundraising, or even the toleration of recruitment all help terrorists build their organisations, conduct operations and survive."
"Open and active state sponsorship of terrorism is blessedly rare, and it has decreased since the end of the Cold War. Yet this lack of open support does not necessarily diminish the important role that states play in fostering or hindering terrorism. At times, the greatest contribution a state can make to a terrorist's cause is by not acting. A border not policed, a blind eye turned to fundraising, or even the toleration of recruitment all help terrorists build their organisations, conduct operations and survive."
Enlisting the help of the younger generation / Guardian Series, 4 Jan 2006
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/display.var.666612.0.0.php?utag=12692
"SCHOOLCHILDREN armed with cameras helped to clean up their neighbourhood as part of the Beat Sweep. A group of 30 children from South Grove Primary School were given disposable cameras and asked to take pictures of the things they would like to see improved. The children also took photographs of what they liked in the community.
Street wardens worked with the school throughout the activity. The eight wardens were also involved in extra patrols on the day of the recent Beat Sweep of Walthamstow's Markhouse ward." [Snippet]
"SCHOOLCHILDREN armed with cameras helped to clean up their neighbourhood as part of the Beat Sweep. A group of 30 children from South Grove Primary School were given disposable cameras and asked to take pictures of the things they would like to see improved. The children also took photographs of what they liked in the community.
Street wardens worked with the school throughout the activity. The eight wardens were also involved in extra patrols on the day of the recent Beat Sweep of Walthamstow's Markhouse ward." [Snippet]
Boy's Web cam opens portal to a grim world / International Herald Tribune, 19 dec 2005
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/19/news/porn.php
urt Eichenwald
"The 13-year-old boy sat in his California home, eyes fixed on a computer screen. He had never run with the popular crowd, and long ago had turned to the Internet for the friends he craved. But on this day, Justin Berry's fascination with cyberspace would change his life.
Weeks before, Justin hooked up a Web camera to his computer, hoping to use it to meet other teenagers online. Instead, he heard only from men who chatted with him by instant message as they watched his image on the Internet. To Justin, they seemed just like friends, ready with compliments and always offering gifts.
Now, on an afternoon in 2000, one member of his audience sent a proposal: He would pay Justin $50 to sit bare-chested in front of his Web cam for three minutes. The man explained that Justin could receive the money instantly. 'I figured, I took off my shirt at the pool for nothing,' he said recently. 'So, I was kind of like, what's the difference?'
Justin removed his T-shirt. The men watching him oozed compliments.
So began the secret life of a teenager who was lured into selling images of his body on the Internet over the course of five years. From the seduction that began that day, this soccer-playing honor-roll student was drawn into performing in front of the Web cam - undressing, showering, masturbating and even having sex - for an audience of more than 1,500 people who paid him, over the years, hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Justin's dark coming-of-age story is a collateral effect of recent technological advances: Minors, often under the online tutelage of adults, are opening for-pay pornography sites featuring their own images sent onto the Internet by inexpensive Web cams. And they perform from the pr"
urt Eichenwald
"The 13-year-old boy sat in his California home, eyes fixed on a computer screen. He had never run with the popular crowd, and long ago had turned to the Internet for the friends he craved. But on this day, Justin Berry's fascination with cyberspace would change his life.
Weeks before, Justin hooked up a Web camera to his computer, hoping to use it to meet other teenagers online. Instead, he heard only from men who chatted with him by instant message as they watched his image on the Internet. To Justin, they seemed just like friends, ready with compliments and always offering gifts.
Now, on an afternoon in 2000, one member of his audience sent a proposal: He would pay Justin $50 to sit bare-chested in front of his Web cam for three minutes. The man explained that Justin could receive the money instantly. 'I figured, I took off my shirt at the pool for nothing,' he said recently. 'So, I was kind of like, what's the difference?'
Justin removed his T-shirt. The men watching him oozed compliments.
So began the secret life of a teenager who was lured into selling images of his body on the Internet over the course of five years. From the seduction that began that day, this soccer-playing honor-roll student was drawn into performing in front of the Web cam - undressing, showering, masturbating and even having sex - for an audience of more than 1,500 people who paid him, over the years, hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Justin's dark coming-of-age story is a collateral effect of recent technological advances: Minors, often under the online tutelage of adults, are opening for-pay pornography sites featuring their own images sent onto the Internet by inexpensive Web cams. And they perform from the pr"
Child porn is set back as Web sites shut down / International Herald Tribune, 30 Dec 2005
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/30/news/netporn.php
Kurt Eichenwald
"The once-thriving business for Web sites that offer child pornography generated by Web cameras has suffered a significant setback. Such sites, as well as other pornographic sites that feature images of minors who were lured into performing sexually in front of their Webcams for people they believed to be friends, have changed the nature of child pornography in ways that are only now beginning to be understood by professionals in the field"
Kurt Eichenwald
"The once-thriving business for Web sites that offer child pornography generated by Web cameras has suffered a significant setback. Such sites, as well as other pornographic sites that feature images of minors who were lured into performing sexually in front of their Webcams for people they believed to be friends, have changed the nature of child pornography in ways that are only now beginning to be understood by professionals in the field"
[Denmark] Cartoons ignite cultural combat in Denmark / International Herald Tribune, 31 Dec 2005
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/30/news/islam9.php
Dan Bilefsky
"As countries across Europe grapple with how to assimilate their growing Muslim communities in the post-Sept. 11, 2001, world, Denmark has become an unlikely flash point in the growing culture wars between Islam and the West. "
Dan Bilefsky
"As countries across Europe grapple with how to assimilate their growing Muslim communities in the post-Sept. 11, 2001, world, Denmark has become an unlikely flash point in the growing culture wars between Islam and the West. "
[Netherlands] Dutch plan ceremonies to integrate immigrants / SignOnSanDiego.com, 30 Dec 2005
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20051230-0704-dutch-immigration.html
"The Dutch government said on Friday it is to introduce ceremonies for new immigrants to be held in towns across the country as part of efforts to reduce racial tensions and to integrate immigrant communities. The Dutch government and parliament are worried immigrants who do not move outside their ethnic or religious groups hamper integration and stoke fears of militancy. "
"The Dutch government said on Friday it is to introduce ceremonies for new immigrants to be held in towns across the country as part of efforts to reduce racial tensions and to integrate immigrant communities. The Dutch government and parliament are worried immigrants who do not move outside their ethnic or religious groups hamper integration and stoke fears of militancy. "
Germans to put Muslims through loyalty test Telegraph, 31 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4ftgf
Kate connolly
"Muslims intent on becoming German citizens will have to undergo a rigorous cultural test to gauge their views on subjects ranging from bigamy to homosexuality.
Believed to be the first test of its kind in Europe, the southern state of Baden-Wurttemberg has created the two-hour oral exam to test the loyalty of Muslims towards Germany."
Kate connolly
"Muslims intent on becoming German citizens will have to undergo a rigorous cultural test to gauge their views on subjects ranging from bigamy to homosexuality.
Believed to be the first test of its kind in Europe, the southern state of Baden-Wurttemberg has created the two-hour oral exam to test the loyalty of Muslims towards Germany."
Friday, December 30, 2005
Indian workers 'slash IT wages Telegraph, 26 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4ften
Philip Aldrick
"Indian technology workers are flooding the UK on temporary permits, undercutting local wages and raising the prospect of a homegrown skills shortage, an IT association claimed. According to industry sources, most consulting companies offer some form of "onshore offshoring". IBM, LogicaCMG, Accenture and CapGemini all transfer Indian workers to the UK for projects, as do Indian consulting firms Tata Consulting Services and Infosys."
Philip Aldrick
"Indian technology workers are flooding the UK on temporary permits, undercutting local wages and raising the prospect of a homegrown skills shortage, an IT association claimed. According to industry sources, most consulting companies offer some form of "onshore offshoring". IBM, LogicaCMG, Accenture and CapGemini all transfer Indian workers to the UK for projects, as do Indian consulting firms Tata Consulting Services and Infosys."
Where have we got to in the fight against terrorism? We're lost in a fog / Times, 28 Dec 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1058-1960916,00.html
Alice Miles
"The developing thinking of senior anti-terrorism officers about the menace to Britain from radicalised Muslim youth, as revealed in The Times today, is not reassuring. The good news is that Scotland Yard has admitted its uncertainty about the way in which some young men are becoming radicalised. The bad news is that it is only now even beginning to come to terms with the new threat. "
Alice Miles
"The developing thinking of senior anti-terrorism officers about the menace to Britain from radicalised Muslim youth, as revealed in The Times today, is not reassuring. The good news is that Scotland Yard has admitted its uncertainty about the way in which some young men are becoming radicalised. The bad news is that it is only now even beginning to come to terms with the new threat. "
Blair's 12-point plan to tackle terror fails to get full marks / The Times, 28 Dec 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22989-1960890,00.html
Richard Ford and Daniel McGrory
"The Prime Minister promised that �the rules were changing� to expel preachers of hate. But none has been thrown out of the country. In comparison Germany has expelled more than 20 imams, Italy has deported four, as have France and Spain, and Holland three. Only one prominent figure has been banned from Britain: sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed, the leader of the radical group al-Muhajiroun, who went to Beirut to visit his mother and was prevented from returning as 'a threat to national security'. "
Richard Ford and Daniel McGrory
"The Prime Minister promised that �the rules were changing� to expel preachers of hate. But none has been thrown out of the country. In comparison Germany has expelled more than 20 imams, Italy has deported four, as have France and Spain, and Holland three. Only one prominent figure has been banned from Britain: sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammed, the leader of the radical group al-Muhajiroun, who went to Beirut to visit his mother and was prevented from returning as 'a threat to national security'. "
Detectives draw up new brief in hunt for radicals / Times, 28 Dec 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22989-1960881,00.html
Sean O'Neill and Daniel McGrory
"INVESTIGATIONS into the backgrounds of the 7/7 London bombers have forced counter-terrorist chiefs to tear up their intelligence assessments of potential terrorists.
None of the four young men from West Yorkshire who killed 52 bus and Tube passengers during the summer fitted the existing 'threat profile'. "
Sean O'Neill and Daniel McGrory
"INVESTIGATIONS into the backgrounds of the 7/7 London bombers have forced counter-terrorist chiefs to tear up their intelligence assessments of potential terrorists.
None of the four young men from West Yorkshire who killed 52 bus and Tube passengers during the summer fitted the existing 'threat profile'. "
Curfew plan to control unruly children / Telegraph, 26 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4ftem
George Jones
"Tearaway children will be subject to tough control orders and night-time curfews even before they commit a criminal offence under a new drive against anti-social behaviour.
Schools and other authorities in England and Wales will be given the power to apply for parenting orders to control unruly children."
George Jones
"Tearaway children will be subject to tough control orders and night-time curfews even before they commit a criminal offence under a new drive against anti-social behaviour.
Schools and other authorities in England and Wales will be given the power to apply for parenting orders to control unruly children."
C-U-IN-CRT - COURTS COULD CHASE CRIMINALS BY TEXT / GNN, 29 Dec 2005
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=183110&NewsAreaID=2
"Magistrates' courts across England and Wales could soon text fine evaders demanding they pay up, after the initiative was successfully used in the Midlands recently.
Courts are also looking at sending automated reminders by text, email or phone to fine evaders, offenders who don't do their community service and those who fail to attend court. The planned new offensive would ensure offenders comply with orders of the court, and provide an additional enforcement tool when they ignore their legal obligation. "
"Magistrates' courts across England and Wales could soon text fine evaders demanding they pay up, after the initiative was successfully used in the Midlands recently.
Courts are also looking at sending automated reminders by text, email or phone to fine evaders, offenders who don't do their community service and those who fail to attend court. The planned new offensive would ensure offenders comply with orders of the court, and provide an additional enforcement tool when they ignore their legal obligation. "
Unhappy New Year For Drug Dealers / Home Office, 27 Dec 2005
http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/unhappy-new-year-for
"Dealers who sell drugs near schools or use children as couriers could face stiffer penalties, the Government announced. This is one of a number of measures introduced by the Drugs Act 2005 coming into force on 1 January 2006 to target drug dealers. Also included are powers for police to request x-rays of dealers suspected of swallowing Class A drugs and tougher sentences to foil those who conceal drugs in their body cavities. The measures are part of the Government strategy to focus on the substances that are most harmful and deal severely with those who supply drugs."
"Dealers who sell drugs near schools or use children as couriers could face stiffer penalties, the Government announced. This is one of a number of measures introduced by the Drugs Act 2005 coming into force on 1 January 2006 to target drug dealers. Also included are powers for police to request x-rays of dealers suspected of swallowing Class A drugs and tougher sentences to foil those who conceal drugs in their body cavities. The measures are part of the Government strategy to focus on the substances that are most harmful and deal severely with those who supply drugs."
Call to bring back regional crime squads / The Westmorland Gazette, 30 Dec 2005
http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/display.var.666932.0.0.php?utag=12692
Luke Dicicco
"CALLS have been made for regional crime squads to be resurrected and revamped as a cheaper and potentially more effective alternative to wholesale mergers between police forces."
Luke Dicicco
"CALLS have been made for regional crime squads to be resurrected and revamped as a cheaper and potentially more effective alternative to wholesale mergers between police forces."
Proposed ID card 'bad for business' / The Australian, 30 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4ftek
James Riley
"A NATIONAL identity card scheme would cost too much and burden business with an added layer of bureaucratic red tape, a leading lobby group has claimed. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Peter Hendy said the group had yet to be convinced that an ID scheme would address incidents of serious crime and terrorism. The ACCI remained firmly opposed to the introduction of a national ID card, calling on the Government to 'clearly show how such a measure would demonstrably improve Australia's security arrangements'. "
James Riley
"A NATIONAL identity card scheme would cost too much and burden business with an added layer of bureaucratic red tape, a leading lobby group has claimed. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Peter Hendy said the group had yet to be convinced that an ID scheme would address incidents of serious crime and terrorism. The ACCI remained firmly opposed to the introduction of a national ID card, calling on the Government to 'clearly show how such a measure would demonstrably improve Australia's security arrangements'. "
Traffickers, not refugees, are the problem / Telegraph, 30 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4ftej
David Rennie
"The system can be made to work but there are problems that have to be solved urgently.
The first is finding a way to distinguish refugees from other migrants. The second is cracking down on the people smugglers, criminals whose interest is to blur the lines between genuine refugees and economic migrants."
David Rennie
"The system can be made to work but there are problems that have to be solved urgently.
The first is finding a way to distinguish refugees from other migrants. The second is cracking down on the people smugglers, criminals whose interest is to blur the lines between genuine refugees and economic migrants."
Eye on forensic microscopy / R & D Magazine, Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fteg
Martha Walz
"forensic scientists can choose from a variety of techniques to study this evidence, but perhaps the most important technique has been forensic microscopy. Forensic microscopy encompasses the identification and classification of a wide range of materials and substances: impressions such as fingerprints and footprints, fractured fragments such as broken tools and torn paper, trace evidence such as hairs and fibers, genetic markers, bullets, and handwriting. "
Martha Walz
"forensic scientists can choose from a variety of techniques to study this evidence, but perhaps the most important technique has been forensic microscopy. Forensic microscopy encompasses the identification and classification of a wide range of materials and substances: impressions such as fingerprints and footprints, fractured fragments such as broken tools and torn paper, trace evidence such as hairs and fibers, genetic markers, bullets, and handwriting. "
It's roger and out for long-winded waffle on police radios / Scotsman, 30 Dec 2005
http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=2474282005
Sarah Bruce
"POLICE officers across Britain are being told to cut the chatter when they are on their radios.
The equipment has become so easy to use that officers treat the radios like mobile phones and forget the official rules - a study found they had 60 ways of saying 'yes' and ten different means of asking someone to wait.
But now a trio of academics are drafting a manual showing officers how to communicate properly. "
Sarah Bruce
"POLICE officers across Britain are being told to cut the chatter when they are on their radios.
The equipment has become so easy to use that officers treat the radios like mobile phones and forget the official rules - a study found they had 60 ways of saying 'yes' and ten different means of asking someone to wait.
But now a trio of academics are drafting a manual showing officers how to communicate properly. "
How a computer unmasked the asylum nomads homing in on Europe / Telegraph, 29 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4ftee
David Rennie
"The history of EU asylum policy can be divided into two eras. Before Eurodac fraudulent, multiple applications were almost impossible to detect. Immigration officials on the front lines could have a hunch, but no proof that a hard core of asylum seekers was out there somewhere, circulating round Europe for years on end, trying their luck in system after system."
David Rennie
"The history of EU asylum policy can be divided into two eras. Before Eurodac fraudulent, multiple applications were almost impossible to detect. Immigration officials on the front lines could have a hunch, but no proof that a hard core of asylum seekers was out there somewhere, circulating round Europe for years on end, trying their luck in system after system."
Learning to cope as tide of history turns / Telegraph, 29 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fted
Anton La Guardia
"For centuries Europe has exported its people to settle the farthest corners of the globe, populating the "new" worlds of the Americas, Australasia, Africa and the great Siberian landmass. But in recent decades the flow has reversed. Now Europe stands at the receiving end of a global upheaval of populations from poor to rich countries that is comparable in scale to the great migrations of the past."
Anton La Guardia
"For centuries Europe has exported its people to settle the farthest corners of the globe, populating the "new" worlds of the Americas, Australasia, Africa and the great Siberian landmass. But in recent decades the flow has reversed. Now Europe stands at the receiving end of a global upheaval of populations from poor to rich countries that is comparable in scale to the great migrations of the past."
[Belgium] Work permit abuse leads totighter foreign labour laws / Expatica, 23 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4ftec
"The Belgian government is expected to decide on Friday to sharpen restrictions on labour immigration. All foreign workers who move to Belgium will be obligated in future to register with the regional labour market authority. The decision comes amid revelations large ICT firms frequently abuse the work permit system to import cheap labour from India with a tourist visa (Cap Gemini) or employ skilled expats to do simple tasks (Hewlett Packard)."
"The Belgian government is expected to decide on Friday to sharpen restrictions on labour immigration. All foreign workers who move to Belgium will be obligated in future to register with the regional labour market authority. The decision comes amid revelations large ICT firms frequently abuse the work permit system to import cheap labour from India with a tourist visa (Cap Gemini) or employ skilled expats to do simple tasks (Hewlett Packard)."
[Korea] Migrant Workers to Get Help Centers / The Korea Times, 26 Dec 2005
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200512/kt2005122621245511980.htm
Lee Hyo-sik
"The government has decided to provide migrant workers and international refugees with livelihood support benefits and establish aid centers across the country to improve their human rights and welfare. Many migrant workers have been suffering from low wages and human rights abuses due to unstable jobs and their social status, while few refugees have received state support and permission to stay in Korea from the government."
Lee Hyo-sik
"The government has decided to provide migrant workers and international refugees with livelihood support benefits and establish aid centers across the country to improve their human rights and welfare. Many migrant workers have been suffering from low wages and human rights abuses due to unstable jobs and their social status, while few refugees have received state support and permission to stay in Korea from the government."
[Australia] Migrants are merely 'buying passports' / The Australian, 30 [Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fteb
Andrew McGarry
"SOME overseas entrepreneurs view the business migration scheme as little more than an opportunity to buy a passport, it has been claimed. Following a visit to China and Malaysia, South Australian state Labor MP John Rau has said many businesspeople who apply to move to Australia have no interest in making a contribution to the country. 'It needs to be understood by government that many of these new residents do not intend to become permanent full-time residents,' he said in a report to parliament. 'Seen through Chinese eyes, this is essentially an opportunity to buy a passport.' "
Andrew McGarry
"SOME overseas entrepreneurs view the business migration scheme as little more than an opportunity to buy a passport, it has been claimed. Following a visit to China and Malaysia, South Australian state Labor MP John Rau has said many businesspeople who apply to move to Australia have no interest in making a contribution to the country. 'It needs to be understood by government that many of these new residents do not intend to become permanent full-time residents,' he said in a report to parliament. 'Seen through Chinese eyes, this is essentially an opportunity to buy a passport.' "
[Canada / USA] Refugee asylum accord under fire / TheStar, 29 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4ftea
Olivia Ward
"A refugee asylum agreement between Canada and the United States should be struck down because of its 'devastating' effect on the safety of asylum-seekers, says a report by a prominent refugee rights coalition."
Olivia Ward
"A refugee asylum agreement between Canada and the United States should be struck down because of its 'devastating' effect on the safety of asylum-seekers, says a report by a prominent refugee rights coalition."
Visitation via video / The Villages Daily Sun, 28 Dec 2005
http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/articles/2005/12/28/news/news01.txt
Christine Giordano
"It's a visitation night at the Sumter County Jail, and the jail is crowded with people waiting to see the inmates behind the windows. But to give prisoners more space, the windows may soon be replaced by television screens. Technology is spreading across the nation, replacing face-to-face jail visits with a combination of television, video camera, and telephone. Some say it's too impersonal. Others see it as a space-saving solution.
During a typical state-of-the-art video visitation, prisoners stay in the jail and speak in front of a video camera while their guests do the same in a separate building. The high-security jail space that once contained the windows can be used for prisoners. "
Christine Giordano
"It's a visitation night at the Sumter County Jail, and the jail is crowded with people waiting to see the inmates behind the windows. But to give prisoners more space, the windows may soon be replaced by television screens. Technology is spreading across the nation, replacing face-to-face jail visits with a combination of television, video camera, and telephone. Some say it's too impersonal. Others see it as a space-saving solution.
During a typical state-of-the-art video visitation, prisoners stay in the jail and speak in front of a video camera while their guests do the same in a separate building. The high-security jail space that once contained the windows can be used for prisoners. "
Better body armour / The Engineer Online, 7 Dec 2005
http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/293023/Better+body+armour+.htm
"A Georgia Institute of Technology researcher has developed a process that increases the hardness and improves the ballistic performance of the material used by the US military for body armour. The researcher's start-up company is commercialising the technology. "
"A Georgia Institute of Technology researcher has developed a process that increases the hardness and improves the ballistic performance of the material used by the US military for body armour. The researcher's start-up company is commercialising the technology. "
Facing the future / The Engineer Online, 12 Dec 2005
http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/293057/Facing+the+future.htm
"A system that takes just seconds to age a child’s image by decades could become a valuable tool in the search for missing persons. Following preliminary tests, researchers at the University of Kent plan to develop a technique that produces a highly accurate rendition of an adult face from a picture of the subject as a child. "
"A system that takes just seconds to age a child’s image by decades could become a valuable tool in the search for missing persons. Following preliminary tests, researchers at the University of Kent plan to develop a technique that produces a highly accurate rendition of an adult face from a picture of the subject as a child. "
Recovering From Mistakes / IEEE Spectrum, Dec 2005
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/dec05/2344
Carl W. Selinger
"Oops, you just made a mistake! You forgot to go to a meeting, or you went to the wrong place, at the wrong time, even on the wrong day. Or you suddenly realized you made a wrong assumption for a calculation. Or you hit 'Send' too quickly on the e-mail before you attached that document. You feel terrible. You are really stressed. "
Carl W. Selinger
"Oops, you just made a mistake! You forgot to go to a meeting, or you went to the wrong place, at the wrong time, even on the wrong day. Or you suddenly realized you made a wrong assumption for a calculation. Or you hit 'Send' too quickly on the e-mail before you attached that document. You feel terrible. You are really stressed. "
No Place to Hide / IEEE Spectrum: Nov 2005
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/nov05/2146
Willie D. Jones
"Researchers have been working on radar that can 'see' through walls, so police can know where hostages are congregated or soldiers can tell where the enemy is lying in wait. Two devices that meet demanding criteria are on the market, and one has been adapted for use by the U.S. military in Iraq.
Some conventional radar can penetrate walls, but it cannot distinguish objects just ahead, it emits far too much power to be safe for operators, and it requires equipment about the size of a lab bench. Advances in digital signal processors and microwave integrated circuits have made it possible to fit a complete microwave system in a box the size of two encyclopedia volumes. Now, through-the-wall radar devices that are lightweight, portable, and able to focus up to 20 or 30 meters ahead are available to municipalities and law enforcement agencies. "
Willie D. Jones
"Researchers have been working on radar that can 'see' through walls, so police can know where hostages are congregated or soldiers can tell where the enemy is lying in wait. Two devices that meet demanding criteria are on the market, and one has been adapted for use by the U.S. military in Iraq.
Some conventional radar can penetrate walls, but it cannot distinguish objects just ahead, it emits far too much power to be safe for operators, and it requires equipment about the size of a lab bench. Advances in digital signal processors and microwave integrated circuits have made it possible to fit a complete microwave system in a box the size of two encyclopedia volumes. Now, through-the-wall radar devices that are lightweight, portable, and able to focus up to 20 or 30 meters ahead are available to municipalities and law enforcement agencies. "
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Developing the Evidence Base: Young people with substance misuse problems / Home Office, 23 Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.drugs.gov.uk/publication-search/young-people/Evidencebase?view=Binary
"This report reviews substance misuse service provision for young people up to 19 years old. It establishes the process for determining the need for interventions and how services should respond to these needs and sets out recommendations."
"This report reviews substance misuse service provision for young people up to 19 years old. It establishes the process for determining the need for interventions and how services should respond to these needs and sets out recommendations."
The Court of Appeal's Criminal Division Annual Review 2004-05
PDF - http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/files/crim_div_review_2004_05.pdf
"The Court's work involves the determination of applications and appeals against conviction and sentence from the Crown Court. This review looks at the work done over the period 2004-05."
"The Court's work involves the determination of applications and appeals against conviction and sentence from the Crown Court. This review looks at the work done over the period 2004-05."
NEW POWERS FOR POLICE / Home Office, 28 Dec 2005
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=183094&NewsAreaID=2
"New powers aimed at cutting bureaucracy and better equipping the police to tackle the changing nature of crime will come into force on 1 January 2006, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears announced."
The full text for the PACE codes revision can be found at http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/operational-policing/powers-pace-codes/pace-codes.html?version=1
"New powers aimed at cutting bureaucracy and better equipping the police to tackle the changing nature of crime will come into force on 1 January 2006, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears announced."
The full text for the PACE codes revision can be found at http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/operational-policing/powers-pace-codes/pace-codes.html?version=1
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Finland Quizzes South Korean Visitors on Their Country / The Korea Times, 27 Dec 2005
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200512/kt2005122717273268040.htm
"A stolen South Korean passport is traded at more than $3,000 in foreign countries as it guarantees a relatively easy entry to the EU countries.
``Chinese criminal gangs used to steal South Korean passports and forge them, an official said. ``Till now, our passports were a little bit easier to counterfeit. But the situation will change in the near future as we are preparing for a new type of passport that is very difficult to forge." Estonia, which borders Russia, is the first among the Baltic states to introduce such a written test for South Koreans in 2002, the vernacular daily reported. "
"A stolen South Korean passport is traded at more than $3,000 in foreign countries as it guarantees a relatively easy entry to the EU countries.
``Chinese criminal gangs used to steal South Korean passports and forge them, an official said. ``Till now, our passports were a little bit easier to counterfeit. But the situation will change in the near future as we are preparing for a new type of passport that is very difficult to forge." Estonia, which borders Russia, is the first among the Baltic states to introduce such a written test for South Koreans in 2002, the vernacular daily reported. "
Confronting "the Enemy Within": Security Intelligence, the Police, and Counterterrorism in Four Democracies / Rand, Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2004/RAND_MG100.pdf
"Researchers at the RAND Corporation analysed the domestic security services of four allied countries--the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Australia. In each of the cases, the authors consider the organization's basic structure, its main threats, its relationship with the police, and the oversight and accountability each has with its respective government. They then weigh both the positive and negative aspects of the systems. Overall, the authors find the case studies useful as a benchmark to guide developments should a decision be made to establish a similar type of agency in the United States."
"Researchers at the RAND Corporation analysed the domestic security services of four allied countries--the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Australia. In each of the cases, the authors consider the organization's basic structure, its main threats, its relationship with the police, and the oversight and accountability each has with its respective government. They then weigh both the positive and negative aspects of the systems. Overall, the authors find the case studies useful as a benchmark to guide developments should a decision be made to establish a similar type of agency in the United States."
Re-offenders scheme a success / Norwich Evening News 24, 27 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4ftap
"A scheme to cut re-offending by prolific criminals has registered an 80 per cent cut in crime in its first year. Yarmouth Prolific and other Priority Offender scheme manager Det Sgt Chris Harvey said: ?In the 12 months since the scheme started there has been an 80.5pc reduction in actual crime by those offenders involved in the scheme. "These figures mean that 386 members of the public have not become victims of crime as a result of prolific offenders being adopted by our team." The scheme targets the key individuals who are causing the most harm in the local community, as identified by officers.
Resources are prioritised on these convicts by police and partner agencies - and those caught reoffending go back to the courts.
But offenders are also given a carrot: if they stay away from crime, they are given support from a dedicated team of helpers and priority access to services, including education and housing." [Snippet]
"A scheme to cut re-offending by prolific criminals has registered an 80 per cent cut in crime in its first year. Yarmouth Prolific and other Priority Offender scheme manager Det Sgt Chris Harvey said: ?In the 12 months since the scheme started there has been an 80.5pc reduction in actual crime by those offenders involved in the scheme. "These figures mean that 386 members of the public have not become victims of crime as a result of prolific offenders being adopted by our team." The scheme targets the key individuals who are causing the most harm in the local community, as identified by officers.
Resources are prioritised on these convicts by police and partner agencies - and those caught reoffending go back to the courts.
But offenders are also given a carrot: if they stay away from crime, they are given support from a dedicated team of helpers and priority access to services, including education and housing." [Snippet]
Carbondale forensic scientist published in leading journal / The Southern Illinoisan, 25 Dec 2005
http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/2005/12/25/local/10002831.txt
Andrea Hahn
"Schubert said airbags, which began to appear in automobiles in the early 1980s, are often collected as evidence in vehicle crashes. Hairs, fabric fibers, DNA traces - all may contribute to the evidence identifying the driver or passenger in a vehicle after airbag deployment. The singe marks are another tool, he said. Schubert's findings appear in the November 2005 edition of the 'Journal of Forensic Science,' the official professional journal for the American Academy of Forensic Sciences."
Andrea Hahn
"Schubert said airbags, which began to appear in automobiles in the early 1980s, are often collected as evidence in vehicle crashes. Hairs, fabric fibers, DNA traces - all may contribute to the evidence identifying the driver or passenger in a vehicle after airbag deployment. The singe marks are another tool, he said. Schubert's findings appear in the November 2005 edition of the 'Journal of Forensic Science,' the official professional journal for the American Academy of Forensic Sciences."
Police set to take DNA samples from all new recruits / Evening Times, 26 Dec 2005
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5047219.html
Alex Roberson
"EVERY new recruit joining Strathclyde Police is to be forced to give a DNA sample. Officers already have fingerprints taken, but police chiefs have decided they want DNA too. The move will allow forensic scientists at crime scenes to quickly rule out any DNA
samples which have come from police officers. "
Alex Roberson
"EVERY new recruit joining Strathclyde Police is to be forced to give a DNA sample. Officers already have fingerprints taken, but police chiefs have decided they want DNA too. The move will allow forensic scientists at crime scenes to quickly rule out any DNA
samples which have come from police officers. "
Drink young and crash / STUFF New Zealand, 28 Dec 2005
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3524119a10,00.html
ANNA CHALMERS and PAUL MULROONEY
"New Zealand's decision to lower the drinking age to 18 has resulted in an alarming increase in teenage car smashes, a landmark American study says. Alcohol was linked to 'significantly more' vehicle crashes among 15 to 19-year-olds since the law was changed in 1999 to allow 18-year-olds to buy booze, the American Journal of Public Health says in an article to be published next month.
The findings have rekindled the political debate over restoring the drinking age to 20, with Parliament to discuss the proposal next year. "
ANNA CHALMERS and PAUL MULROONEY
"New Zealand's decision to lower the drinking age to 18 has resulted in an alarming increase in teenage car smashes, a landmark American study says. Alcohol was linked to 'significantly more' vehicle crashes among 15 to 19-year-olds since the law was changed in 1999 to allow 18-year-olds to buy booze, the American Journal of Public Health says in an article to be published next month.
The findings have rekindled the political debate over restoring the drinking age to 20, with Parliament to discuss the proposal next year. "
Scirus - Science Search Engine - Website
http://www.scirus.com/srsapp/
"Scirus is the most comprehensive science-specific search engine on the Internet. Driven by the latest search engine technology, Scirus searches over 200 million science-specific Web pages, enabling you to quickly:
?Pinpoint scientific, scholarly, technical and medical data on the Web.
?Find the latest reports, peer-reviewed articles, patents, pre prints and journals that other search engines miss.
?Offer unique functionalities designed for scientists and researchers."
"Scirus is the most comprehensive science-specific search engine on the Internet. Driven by the latest search engine technology, Scirus searches over 200 million science-specific Web pages, enabling you to quickly:
?Pinpoint scientific, scholarly, technical and medical data on the Web.
?Find the latest reports, peer-reviewed articles, patents, pre prints and journals that other search engines miss.
?Offer unique functionalities designed for scientists and researchers."
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Fujitsu Palm Vein Technology : FUJITSU
http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/rd/200506palm-vein.html
"Fujitsu's palm vein authentication technology consists of a small palm vein scanner that's easy and natural to use, fast and highly accurate. Simply hold your palm a few centimeters over the scanner and within a second it reads your unique vein pattern. A vein picture is taken and your pattern is registered. Now no one else can log in under your profile. ATM transactions are just one of the many applications of this new technology. "
"Fujitsu's palm vein authentication technology consists of a small palm vein scanner that's easy and natural to use, fast and highly accurate. Simply hold your palm a few centimeters over the scanner and within a second it reads your unique vein pattern. A vein picture is taken and your pattern is registered. Now no one else can log in under your profile. ATM transactions are just one of the many applications of this new technology. "
[Philippines] Filipino children behind bars / International Herald Tribune, 21 Dec 2005
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/21/news/minors.php
Carlos H. Conde
"Advocates say that at least 20,000 offenders below age 18 are behind bars in the Philippines, many of them maltreated and sharing cellblocks with adults. From 1995 to 2000, up to 28 minors a day were put in jail on average in the Philippines, according to Unicef. Among inmates on death row here, child advocates say, 18 were minors when the crimes were committed, although their ages are in dispute."
Carlos H. Conde
"Advocates say that at least 20,000 offenders below age 18 are behind bars in the Philippines, many of them maltreated and sharing cellblocks with adults. From 1995 to 2000, up to 28 minors a day were put in jail on average in the Philippines, according to Unicef. Among inmates on death row here, child advocates say, 18 were minors when the crimes were committed, although their ages are in dispute."
What Makes a Terrorist? Science Is Finding Out / Newhouse News Service, 23 Dec 2005
http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/nutt122305.html
AMY ELLIS NUTT
"While the government received failing grades earlier this month from the Sept. 11 commission for not adequately responding to security concerns, academic institutions are providing a road map to a safer world.
Consider these advances: high-tech cognitive detection sensors that literally can look into the brain to uncover malevolence, computer modeling of terrorist behavior and the development of mathematical indexes to disrupt terrorist networks. At the core of this scientific inquiry, however, is the terrorist himself.
AMY ELLIS NUTT
"While the government received failing grades earlier this month from the Sept. 11 commission for not adequately responding to security concerns, academic institutions are providing a road map to a safer world.
Consider these advances: high-tech cognitive detection sensors that literally can look into the brain to uncover malevolence, computer modeling of terrorist behavior and the development of mathematical indexes to disrupt terrorist networks. At the core of this scientific inquiry, however, is the terrorist himself.
Faith Plan At Feltham Unit / Hounslow Guardian, 23 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fstf
"Christine Briddon
"A ground breaking initiative aimed at reducing reoffending among young criminals has been set up at Feltham Young Offenders Institute. The prison has launched the first-ever community chaplaincy project in the UK, to work with young offenders at Feltham and help them settle back into their communities after release from the prison.
The cutting edge multi faith initiative is part of a national cross-cultural programme run by various faith communities and the prison service."
"Christine Briddon
"A ground breaking initiative aimed at reducing reoffending among young criminals has been set up at Feltham Young Offenders Institute. The prison has launched the first-ever community chaplaincy project in the UK, to work with young offenders at Feltham and help them settle back into their communities after release from the prison.
The cutting edge multi faith initiative is part of a national cross-cultural programme run by various faith communities and the prison service."
Friday, December 23, 2005
EU Wants To Attract Highly-Skilled Migrants /Deutsche Welle, | 23 Dec.2005
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,1831498,00.html?maca=en-rss_english_top-388-rdf
"The European Commission wants special immigration rules to lure high-skilled workers from outside the bloc as well as measures to better fight the growing problem of illegal immigration. "
"The European Commission wants special immigration rules to lure high-skilled workers from outside the bloc as well as measures to better fight the growing problem of illegal immigration. "
Arrests reveal Zarqawi network in Europe / Telegraph, 22 Dec 2005
http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/12/22/wterr22.xml
"A wave of arrests across Europe has thrown new light on a European terrorist network being developed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the most prominent insurgent in Iraq. A growing number of terrorism investigations in Britain, Germany, Bosnia, Denmark and most recently Spain and France are linked to the man who has masterminded countless suicide bombings in Iraq, personally beheaded hostages and bombed three hotels in his native Jordan."
"A wave of arrests across Europe has thrown new light on a European terrorist network being developed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the most prominent insurgent in Iraq. A growing number of terrorism investigations in Britain, Germany, Bosnia, Denmark and most recently Spain and France are linked to the man who has masterminded countless suicide bombings in Iraq, personally beheaded hostages and bombed three hotels in his native Jordan."
Support Grows in UK for Anti-Tehran Group Designated as Terrorists CNS News, 22 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fsra
Kevin McCandless
"Claiming that the British government is following a misguided policy towards Iran, a group of lawmakers here has renewed calls to readmit a controversial opposition group to British soil. Meeting in London last week, a cross-party group of lawmakers from both houses of parliament said that it was time to drop the People's Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI) from the government's list of banned terrorist organizations."
Kevin McCandless
"Claiming that the British government is following a misguided policy towards Iran, a group of lawmakers here has renewed calls to readmit a controversial opposition group to British soil. Meeting in London last week, a cross-party group of lawmakers from both houses of parliament said that it was time to drop the People's Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI) from the government's list of banned terrorist organizations."
Security checkpoint of the future tested at San Francisco airport / Physorg, 22 Dec 2005
http://www.physorg.com/news9273.html
"An airport security 'checkpoint of the future' that lets travellers leave shoes on feet, keys in pockets and laptop computers in carry-on bags was shown off in San Francisco. General Electric (GE) got clearance from San Francisco International Airport to set up a 'laboratory' in an unused lane at an active passenger checkpoint."
"An airport security 'checkpoint of the future' that lets travellers leave shoes on feet, keys in pockets and laptop computers in carry-on bags was shown off in San Francisco. General Electric (GE) got clearance from San Francisco International Airport to set up a 'laboratory' in an unused lane at an active passenger checkpoint."
Respecting privacy when sharing crime files / OUT-LAW.COM, 20 Dec 2005
http://www.out-law.com/default.aspx?page=6479
"The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) yesterday welcomed a Council of Ministers proposal that sets data protection safeguards for cross-border exchanges of police and judicial data -but called for several improvements."
?The adoption of this proposal would mean a considerable step forwards for the protection of personal data,? wrote Peter Hustinx, the current EDPS, in his 35-page opinion. PDF - http://www.edps.eu.int/legislation/Opinions_A/05-12-19_Opinion_DP_Third_pillar_EN.pdf
"The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) yesterday welcomed a Council of Ministers proposal that sets data protection safeguards for cross-border exchanges of police and judicial data -but called for several improvements."
?The adoption of this proposal would mean a considerable step forwards for the protection of personal data,? wrote Peter Hustinx, the current EDPS, in his 35-page opinion. PDF - http://www.edps.eu.int/legislation/Opinions_A/05-12-19_Opinion_DP_Third_pillar_EN.pdf
New biometrics software looks for sweat / CNET News.com, 21 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fsqx
Michael Kanellos
"Researchers at Clarkson University have found that fingerprint readers can be spoofed by fingerprint images lifted with Play-doh or gelatin or a model of a finger molded out of dental plaster. The group even assembled a collection of fingers cut from the hands of cadavers.
In a systematic test of more than 60 of the carefully crafted samples, the researchers found that 90 percent of the fakes could be passed off as the real thing.
But when researchers enhanced the reader with an algorithm that looked for evidence of perspiration, the false-verification rate dropped to 10 percent. "
Michael Kanellos
"Researchers at Clarkson University have found that fingerprint readers can be spoofed by fingerprint images lifted with Play-doh or gelatin or a model of a finger molded out of dental plaster. The group even assembled a collection of fingers cut from the hands of cadavers.
In a systematic test of more than 60 of the carefully crafted samples, the researchers found that 90 percent of the fakes could be passed off as the real thing.
But when researchers enhanced the reader with an algorithm that looked for evidence of perspiration, the false-verification rate dropped to 10 percent. "
Terrorists in cyberspace / Inside Bay Area, 21 Dec 2005
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oped/ci_3330001
"The jihadis release these 'beheading videos' on the Internet as part of their booming propaganda machine, and they are wrenching not only for their brutality but also because they underscore the insurgents' increasing technological edge. If there's any area where we should have the supreme advantage fighting terrorism, it's the Internet - yet Islamic extremists sometimes run rings around us in cyberspace, using it to recruit and train terrorists and to communicate with each other in amazingly sophisticated ways. "
"The jihadis release these 'beheading videos' on the Internet as part of their booming propaganda machine, and they are wrenching not only for their brutality but also because they underscore the insurgents' increasing technological edge. If there's any area where we should have the supreme advantage fighting terrorism, it's the Internet - yet Islamic extremists sometimes run rings around us in cyberspace, using it to recruit and train terrorists and to communicate with each other in amazingly sophisticated ways. "
'Mujahideen of the Lowlands' on Trial in the Netherlands / Terrorism Monitor, Volume 3, Issue 24 (December 20, 2005)
http://jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2369856
Judit Neurink
"The trial of 14 young radical Muslims is attracting widespread attention in Holland and elsewhere. This article examines the network and explains how young second-generation immigrants are radicalized to pose an unprecedented security threat to the Dutch state."
Judit Neurink
"The trial of 14 young radical Muslims is attracting widespread attention in Holland and elsewhere. This article examines the network and explains how young second-generation immigrants are radicalized to pose an unprecedented security threat to the Dutch state."
Integration Test for Would-be Dutch Migrants / Islam Online, 22 Dec 2005
http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2005-12/22/article03.shtml
"Some 14,000 applicants, mainly from Turkey, Morocco and Surinam, are expected to sit the test each year. The justice ministry said that citizens from the European Union, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States will be exempted from the test.
'Victims of women trafficking or a witness to the said offence' will also be exempted, it added.
The Netherlands already has one of the strictest immigration policies in the European Union. It already makes integration classes mandatory for newcomers as laws have been changed to oblige all new immigrants and accepted asylum seekers to take classes in Dutch language and culture."
"Some 14,000 applicants, mainly from Turkey, Morocco and Surinam, are expected to sit the test each year. The justice ministry said that citizens from the European Union, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States will be exempted from the test.
'Victims of women trafficking or a witness to the said offence' will also be exempted, it added.
The Netherlands already has one of the strictest immigration policies in the European Union. It already makes integration classes mandatory for newcomers as laws have been changed to oblige all new immigrants and accepted asylum seekers to take classes in Dutch language and culture."
Voice of the People Survey 2005 - a unique insight into global public opinion / Ga;;up Dec 2005
http://www.voice-of-the-people.net/
"The 2005 version of Voice of the People interviewed over 50,000 citizens across 68 countries of the world. We asked their opinions on a number of topics that are of concern in our modern, globalised world. For example, is immigration a good or bad thing? Do people consider themselves to be religious - irrespective of whether they attend religious services or not. What do people feel is the main problem facing the world today? How many people didn't have enough to eat last year? What are their views on democracy? How is the United Nations and other supranational institutions viewed - as positive or negative?"
"The 2005 version of Voice of the People interviewed over 50,000 citizens across 68 countries of the world. We asked their opinions on a number of topics that are of concern in our modern, globalised world. For example, is immigration a good or bad thing? Do people consider themselves to be religious - irrespective of whether they attend religious services or not. What do people feel is the main problem facing the world today? How many people didn't have enough to eat last year? What are their views on democracy? How is the United Nations and other supranational institutions viewed - as positive or negative?"
Legal rulings: Time to ASBO the ASBO?s / Ethical Corporation, 22 Dec 2005
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=4030
Deborah Smith
"Considers how anti-social behaviour orders are increasingly being applied to UK business."
Deborah Smith
"Considers how anti-social behaviour orders are increasingly being applied to UK business."
Thursday, December 22, 2005
The resettlement of discretionary life-sentenced offenders - Development and Practice Report 44 -
/ RDS, Home Office, 22 Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/dpr44.pdf
Catherine Appleton and Colin Roberts
"The research found that probation staff largely followed the guidance, but that there was some inconsistency. Supervision and backup arrangements were not always in evidence, owing to limited resources and high caseloads. The existing guidance needs to be built on, ideally to provide national guidelines focusing on the period before sentencing, during custody and around the release time."
PDF - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/dpr44.pdf
Catherine Appleton and Colin Roberts
"The research found that probation staff largely followed the guidance, but that there was some inconsistency. Supervision and backup arrangements were not always in evidence, owing to limited resources and high caseloads. The existing guidance needs to be built on, ideally to provide national guidelines focusing on the period before sentencing, during custody and around the release time."
[Greece] Greeks top poll?s xenophobe list / ekathimerini, 20 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fsmk
"2One only has to recall the statements made by Archbishop Christodoulos on homosexuals and foreigners, violence against Albanians after the Greece-Albania soccer match, the attempts by the Aspropyrgos mayor to put Gypsy children in a separate school and even the rejection suffered by many economic immigrants at every step,' said sociologist and criminologist Angeliki Halkia. 'As for the electronic media, the way they report crimes committed by foreigners can in no way be described as the same as those committed by nationals.'"
"2One only has to recall the statements made by Archbishop Christodoulos on homosexuals and foreigners, violence against Albanians after the Greece-Albania soccer match, the attempts by the Aspropyrgos mayor to put Gypsy children in a separate school and even the rejection suffered by many economic immigrants at every step,' said sociologist and criminologist Angeliki Halkia. 'As for the electronic media, the way they report crimes committed by foreigners can in no way be described as the same as those committed by nationals.'"
Survey: 65% of Greeks view immigration as negative / Athens News Agency, 22 Dec 2005
http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=3721843&maindocimg=1253672&service=10
"Greek citizens apparently have the most negative views amongst west Europeans regarding immigration by other people to their country, according to results of a survey carried recently by the firms TNS ICAP and Gallup International. Overall, 47 percent of respondents in 69 countries -- in all five continents -- held a negative view of immigration; 43 percent held a positive view. "
"Greek citizens apparently have the most negative views amongst west Europeans regarding immigration by other people to their country, according to results of a survey carried recently by the firms TNS ICAP and Gallup International. Overall, 47 percent of respondents in 69 countries -- in all five continents -- held a negative view of immigration; 43 percent held a positive view. "
[Dominica] Justice Ministry detected 500 false passports / Dominican Today, 21 Dec 2005
http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=8555
"Justice minister Francisco Dominguez Brito requested yesterday before a National District judge that the alleged passport mafia case should be declared as 'complex.'
Fourty-two individuals have been charged in this case.
In documents submitted to judge Natividad Ramona Santos, it is evident that, to date, 500 'official' passports had been issued using fraudulent documentation.
This case lead to suspending issuance of official passports at the External Relations Ministry.
Dominguez Brito stated that the accusation should be treated as a form of organized crime, adding that there individuals involved that have not yet been identified." [anippet]
"Justice minister Francisco Dominguez Brito requested yesterday before a National District judge that the alleged passport mafia case should be declared as 'complex.'
Fourty-two individuals have been charged in this case.
In documents submitted to judge Natividad Ramona Santos, it is evident that, to date, 500 'official' passports had been issued using fraudulent documentation.
This case lead to suspending issuance of official passports at the External Relations Ministry.
Dominguez Brito stated that the accusation should be treated as a form of organized crime, adding that there individuals involved that have not yet been identified." [anippet]
Greece plans biometric passport / News24, 21 Dec 2005
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1854371,00.html
"Greece will overhaul its passport system next year and issue travel documents equipped to carry biometric data. Public order minister Giorgos Voulgarakis said all Greek passport holders - as part of European Union-wide measures - would have to replace their documents by the end of 2006 and obtain new passports with increased security features.
Greece is currently not on the United States' visa waiver programme.
'The new passports will have greater security on different levels, including watermarks and imprints that can be read using special machinery,' Voulgarakis said. He said all passports will have a digital photo of the holder and will also contain chips that could be used to record biometric data.
Police will replace local government as the authority which issues passports and the scheme will officially start on January 9, when Greek President Karolos Papoulias will pick up his new passport. " [Snippet]
"Greece will overhaul its passport system next year and issue travel documents equipped to carry biometric data. Public order minister Giorgos Voulgarakis said all Greek passport holders - as part of European Union-wide measures - would have to replace their documents by the end of 2006 and obtain new passports with increased security features.
Greece is currently not on the United States' visa waiver programme.
'The new passports will have greater security on different levels, including watermarks and imprints that can be read using special machinery,' Voulgarakis said. He said all passports will have a digital photo of the holder and will also contain chips that could be used to record biometric data.
Police will replace local government as the authority which issues passports and the scheme will officially start on January 9, when Greek President Karolos Papoulias will pick up his new passport. " [Snippet]
[USA] The US Patriot Act - A Proven Homeland Security Tool / Government Technology, 20 Dec 2005
http://www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.php/97668
"The Patriot Act breaks down barriers to information sharing, enabling law enforcement and intelligence personnel to share information that is needed to help connect the dots and disrupt potential terror and criminal activity before they can carry out their plots. The broad information sharing provisions better enables U.S. Customs and Border Protection to screen international visitors and determine whether an apprehended alien presents a threat to security or public safety."
"The Patriot Act breaks down barriers to information sharing, enabling law enforcement and intelligence personnel to share information that is needed to help connect the dots and disrupt potential terror and criminal activity before they can carry out their plots. The broad information sharing provisions better enables U.S. Customs and Border Protection to screen international visitors and determine whether an apprehended alien presents a threat to security or public safety."
Freedom of information victory over Whitehall's e-mail ploy / Times, 22 Dec 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,17129-1952735,00.html
Sam Coates
"THE public have won the right to see e-mails that were deleted by civil servants, after a tribunal overturned key restrictions on the Freedom of Information Act. Campaigners are now urging thousands of people who were told that the information they wanted was not available to resubmit their requests. This follows a ruling by the Information Tribunal that e-mails and documents that have been erased but are still stored on back-up systems are subject to the Act. "
Sam Coates
"THE public have won the right to see e-mails that were deleted by civil servants, after a tribunal overturned key restrictions on the Freedom of Information Act. Campaigners are now urging thousands of people who were told that the information they wanted was not available to resubmit their requests. This follows a ruling by the Information Tribunal that e-mails and documents that have been erased but are still stored on back-up systems are subject to the Act. "
West Mercia Strategic Police Service is the Way Forward / West Mercia Police Authority, Dec 2005
http://www.westmerciapoliceauthority.gov.uk/content.php?getlabel=POLRSTRCTI
"At its meeting on 13 December 2005, this Authority approved plans to recommend a ?strategic? West Mercia Police Service to the Home Secretary Charles Clarke. West Mercia Police Authority Chair, Mr Paul Deneen, "said plans to further enhance the performance of the top performing police service in England and Wales, rather than create a new regional police service for the entire West Midlands region, would be the most effective and efficient manner in which to invest in local policing services for the future".
"At its meeting on 13 December 2005, this Authority approved plans to recommend a ?strategic? West Mercia Police Service to the Home Secretary Charles Clarke. West Mercia Police Authority Chair, Mr Paul Deneen, "said plans to further enhance the performance of the top performing police service in England and Wales, rather than create a new regional police service for the entire West Midlands region, would be the most effective and efficient manner in which to invest in local policing services for the future".
BRINGING THE LAW OF MURDER INTO THE 21ST CENTURY / Law Commission, 20 Dec 2005
http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/cp177_pn.doc
Page 2 shows hoe the homicide offcences are structured in current and proposed laws.
Page 2 shows hoe the homicide offcences are structured in current and proposed laws.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
X-ray of revellers hailed a success / ICLivepool, 20 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fsge
Deborah James
"AN AIRPORT style X-ray machine used to scan revellers for weapons and drugs has been hailed a major success in Liverpool city centre. Merseyside Police arrested 10 people, and seized a baseball bat and drugs including Class A narcotics, during the first crackdown using the whole body scanner."
Deborah James
"AN AIRPORT style X-ray machine used to scan revellers for weapons and drugs has been hailed a major success in Liverpool city centre. Merseyside Police arrested 10 people, and seized a baseball bat and drugs including Class A narcotics, during the first crackdown using the whole body scanner."
The jury is out over two-tier murder charge / Telegraph, 21 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fsgb
>:
Joshua Rozenberg, Legal Editor and George Jones, Political Editor
"The Government and the Law Commission were at odds yesterday over plans to introduce a two-tier offence of murder. The commission, which advises the Government on law reform, proposed two categories of murder - first- and second-degree - in which murderers who do not intend to kill their victims would not receive automatic life sentences."
>:
Joshua Rozenberg, Legal Editor and George Jones, Political Editor
"The Government and the Law Commission were at odds yesterday over plans to introduce a two-tier offence of murder. The commission, which advises the Government on law reform, proposed two categories of murder - first- and second-degree - in which murderers who do not intend to kill their victims would not receive automatic life sentences."
A New homicide act for England and Wales? A Consultation paper / Law commission, 20 Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/cp177_web.pdf
"The closing date for responses is 13 April 2006. We aim to provide the Home Office with our provisional recommendations in early Summer 2006 and will publish a final report in Autumn 2006. We are consulting with, among others, the public, criminal justice practitioners, academics and those who work with victims' families."
"The closing date for responses is 13 April 2006. We aim to provide the Home Office with our provisional recommendations in early Summer 2006 and will publish a final report in Autumn 2006. We are consulting with, among others, the public, criminal justice practitioners, academics and those who work with victims' families."
Sober Worm Tricks Pedophile Into Surrender / Information Week, 20 Dec 2005
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=175007145
Gregg Keizer
"In a first, a worm has trapped a criminal rather than an innocent Internet user, a Reuters wire service report from Germany. According to Reuters, a 20-year-old German man mistook a message bearing the Sober.z worm as a legitimate directive from German law enforcement, and turned himself in to Paderborn police. Paderborn is in northwestern Germany, about 75 miles east of Essen.
Sober.z was one of several November variants whose payload-bearing e-mail messages claimed to be from law enforcement agencies in the U.S. or Germany. The bogus messages said that police were investigating the recipient for having visited illegal Web sites. Messages written in German posed as mail from Germany's Federal Crime Office (Bundeskriminalamt, or BKA). The Sober.z worm has been called the biggest malicious code outbreak ever.
Paderborn police found child pornography on the man's computer when they later searched his home.
'We're used to explaining to people that there's no such thing as a good virus, but in this case it appears that Sober.z has accidentally scared an Internet pedophile into contacting the police,' said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for U.K.-based Sophos, in a statement.
Ironically, added Cluley, the man would have gotten away with his crime if he'd bothered to run an updated anti-virus program to his computer.
'If he had been scanning his email for viruses he would never have received the message from the Sober worm,' said Cluley. 'If jailed he'll have plenty of time to reflect on whether he should have believed everything that was sent to him via e-mail.' " [Snippet]
Gregg Keizer
"In a first, a worm has trapped a criminal rather than an innocent Internet user, a Reuters wire service report from Germany. According to Reuters, a 20-year-old German man mistook a message bearing the Sober.z worm as a legitimate directive from German law enforcement, and turned himself in to Paderborn police. Paderborn is in northwestern Germany, about 75 miles east of Essen.
Sober.z was one of several November variants whose payload-bearing e-mail messages claimed to be from law enforcement agencies in the U.S. or Germany. The bogus messages said that police were investigating the recipient for having visited illegal Web sites. Messages written in German posed as mail from Germany's Federal Crime Office (Bundeskriminalamt, or BKA). The Sober.z worm has been called the biggest malicious code outbreak ever.
Paderborn police found child pornography on the man's computer when they later searched his home.
'We're used to explaining to people that there's no such thing as a good virus, but in this case it appears that Sober.z has accidentally scared an Internet pedophile into contacting the police,' said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for U.K.-based Sophos, in a statement.
Ironically, added Cluley, the man would have gotten away with his crime if he'd bothered to run an updated anti-virus program to his computer.
'If he had been scanning his email for viruses he would never have received the message from the Sober worm,' said Cluley. 'If jailed he'll have plenty of time to reflect on whether he should have believed everything that was sent to him via e-mail.' " [Snippet]
Review of Rape Investigations / Metropolitan Police Service, 20 Dec 2005
"PDF - http://digbig.com/4fsgaReview of Rape Investigations in the MPS reviews classifications of rape allegations reported to the MPS between April and May 2005, as well as variations in borough performance with view to identifying best practice.2
Record number of Asbos but four in 10 are broken / Telegraph, 21 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fsfy
John steele
"Courts are imposing record levels of anti-social behaviour orders, Government figures showed yesterday, but they are being breached in more than four out of 10 cases.
Breaches of the civil orders are a criminal offence but just over half the breaches result in a jail term.
The Environment Agency will soon also be able to apply for Asbos. Graffiti, vandalism and fly-tipping are a depressing and unsightly blight on many communities. They affect people's quality of life, increase fear of crime and degrade our public spaces.""
John steele
"Courts are imposing record levels of anti-social behaviour orders, Government figures showed yesterday, but they are being breached in more than four out of 10 cases.
Breaches of the civil orders are a criminal offence but just over half the breaches result in a jail term.
The Environment Agency will soon also be able to apply for Asbos. Graffiti, vandalism and fly-tipping are a depressing and unsightly blight on many communities. They affect people's quality of life, increase fear of crime and degrade our public spaces.""
UK introduces new immigration rules for religious workers / Workpermit, 20 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fsfx
"The UK Government is introducing a new immigration category that allows religious workers in non-preaching roles to come to the UK to work for up to two years. This will cover workers whose duties include performing religious rites - such as reading the scriptures aloud or tending to the deities - but not preaching to a congregation.
Unlike Ministers of Religion, they will not have to speak English, and will not be eligible to settle in the UK. They will also be prohibited from acting as a Minister of Religion, Missionary or Member of a Religious Order, in order to avoid this new category being used to circumvent existing rules.
The Home Office will also introduce a pre-entry qualification for all religious workers, carrying out pastoral and non-pastoral work, as part of the wider implementation of the Points-Based System for managed migration.
A further proposal contained in the consultation - for a post-entry civic knowledge test for Ministers of Religion - will not now be introduced. This reflects the separate introduction of a similar test for those applying for British citizenship introduced in November, and similar proposals for those seeking settlement as set out in the five year strategy for asylum and immigration published in February this year." [Snippet]
"The UK Government is introducing a new immigration category that allows religious workers in non-preaching roles to come to the UK to work for up to two years. This will cover workers whose duties include performing religious rites - such as reading the scriptures aloud or tending to the deities - but not preaching to a congregation.
Unlike Ministers of Religion, they will not have to speak English, and will not be eligible to settle in the UK. They will also be prohibited from acting as a Minister of Religion, Missionary or Member of a Religious Order, in order to avoid this new category being used to circumvent existing rules.
The Home Office will also introduce a pre-entry qualification for all religious workers, carrying out pastoral and non-pastoral work, as part of the wider implementation of the Points-Based System for managed migration.
A further proposal contained in the consultation - for a post-entry civic knowledge test for Ministers of Religion - will not now be introduced. This reflects the separate introduction of a similar test for those applying for British citizenship introduced in November, and similar proposals for those seeking settlement as set out in the five year strategy for asylum and immigration published in February this year." [Snippet]
Cannabis: it's time for a rethink / Times, 19 Dec 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8123-1937214,00.html
Dr Thomas Stuttaford
"The link between cannabis use and psychosis is proved. The drug must be reclassified. A fear of confusion, loss of memory, a fragmented thought process, the boring repetition of the same thought, swinging moods with laughing or weeping without good cause, paranoia, hallucinations and a preoccupation with their own psyche and physique. These are the symptoms described in an Oxford study on the effects observed in social cannabis smokers"
Dr Thomas Stuttaford
"The link between cannabis use and psychosis is proved. The drug must be reclassified. A fear of confusion, loss of memory, a fragmented thought process, the boring repetition of the same thought, swinging moods with laughing or weeping without good cause, paranoia, hallucinations and a preoccupation with their own psyche and physique. These are the symptoms described in an Oxford study on the effects observed in social cannabis smokers"
International Law and National Decision Making: Possession and Supply / Drugscoope, Nov 2005
http://www.drugscope.org.uk/druginfo/evidence-select/international.htm
Dr Nicholas Dorn, DrugScope.
A review paper prepared for DrugScope's submission to the Home Affairs Select Committee.
Dr Nicholas Dorn, DrugScope.
A review paper prepared for DrugScope's submission to the Home Affairs Select Committee.
Drugs and crime: what are the links? / Drugscope, Nov 2005
http://www.drugscope.org.uk/druginfo/evidence-select/drugscrime.htm
Mike Hough, Tim McSweeney and Paul Turnbull, Criminal Policy Research Unit, South Bank University .
A review paper prepared for DrugScope's submission to the
Home Affairs Select Committee.
Mike Hough, Tim McSweeney and Paul Turnbull, Criminal Policy Research Unit, South Bank University .
A review paper prepared for DrugScope's submission to the
Home Affairs Select Committee.
Cannabis and the Gateway Hypothesis / Drugscope, November 2005
http://www.drugscope.org.uk/druginfo/evidence-select/cannabisgateway.htm
"A review paper prepared for DrugScope's submission to the Home Affairs Select Committee. Drawn extensively from a technical paper by John Witton, National Addiction Centre and Sarah Mars, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine."
"A review paper prepared for DrugScope's submission to the Home Affairs Select Committee. Drawn extensively from a technical paper by John Witton, National Addiction Centre and Sarah Mars, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine."
Charter for a new Britain / Guardian, 21 Dec 2005
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/thinktanks/comment/0,10538,1671499,00.html
Sunder Katwala
"What can we do to create a modern sense of Britishness? The general secretary of the Fabian Society, lays out an 11-point charter for a new Britain "
Sunder Katwala
"What can we do to create a modern sense of Britishness? The general secretary of the Fabian Society, lays out an 11-point charter for a new Britain "
Model lockup shows how doing things by the book can pay off / Centre Daily, 20 Dec 2005
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/politics/13450554.htm
Mark Scoldforo
"Inmates at the Pike County Correctional Facility have only one way to earn an early parole letter from the warden - they have to participate enthusiastically in the jail's extensive program of classes and counseling.The 277-bed jail, widely considered one of the best-run county lockups in Pennsylvania, is a model of discipline, cleanliness and efficiency, a place where even the storage of vacuum-cleaner attachments is performed with military regimentation."
Mark Scoldforo
"Inmates at the Pike County Correctional Facility have only one way to earn an early parole letter from the warden - they have to participate enthusiastically in the jail's extensive program of classes and counseling.The 277-bed jail, widely considered one of the best-run county lockups in Pennsylvania, is a model of discipline, cleanliness and efficiency, a place where even the storage of vacuum-cleaner attachments is performed with military regimentation."
We've got a budget. Now let's build on it. - Editorials & Commentary - International Herald Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/20/opinion/edmerritt.php
Giles Merritt
"What the European public wants is to be told in visionary terms what the EU is for. People in Europe are increasingly aware of the scale and speed of global change, and they need to be told that EU policies rather than national responses are the best way of meeting these new challenges."
Giles Merritt
"What the European public wants is to be told in visionary terms what the EU is for. People in Europe are increasingly aware of the scale and speed of global change, and they need to be told that EU policies rather than national responses are the best way of meeting these new challenges."
Bomb-Mitigating Trash Cans for Fla., Ariz., and N.Y / Government Technology, 19 Dec 2005
http://www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.php/97661
"'Our bomb-mitigating trash can technology is the only one proven to succeed in the real world of terrorism,' said Eyal Banai, President of MSI and a former security official with an Israeli government security agency. Several years ago, terrorists planted a bomb in trash at a busy intersection in Israel. The receptacle contained and mitigated the blast preventing any deaths or serious injuries. With more than 19 years experience, MSI has earned a reputation as a world leader in blast mitigation. In testing conducted by independent labs and world respected organizations, trash receptacles produced by MSI performed equal to or better than all other receptacles in all breach and pressure reduction testing.
Although all bomb-mitigating trash cans currently provided by different manufactures are based on the same mitigation phenomena of directing the blast upward, MSI offers the greatest number of models, including size, blast charge protection amount, and colors. MSI's receptacles also are significantly lighter than and more cost effective than competitive cans." [Snippet]
"'Our bomb-mitigating trash can technology is the only one proven to succeed in the real world of terrorism,' said Eyal Banai, President of MSI and a former security official with an Israeli government security agency. Several years ago, terrorists planted a bomb in trash at a busy intersection in Israel. The receptacle contained and mitigated the blast preventing any deaths or serious injuries. With more than 19 years experience, MSI has earned a reputation as a world leader in blast mitigation. In testing conducted by independent labs and world respected organizations, trash receptacles produced by MSI performed equal to or better than all other receptacles in all breach and pressure reduction testing.
Although all bomb-mitigating trash cans currently provided by different manufactures are based on the same mitigation phenomena of directing the blast upward, MSI offers the greatest number of models, including size, blast charge protection amount, and colors. MSI's receptacles also are significantly lighter than and more cost effective than competitive cans." [Snippet]
The force will be with Mr Clarke only when he concentrates on PC Adams / Opinion - Times, 21 Dec 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1058-1948204,00.html
Alice Miles
"The Home Office is proposing a major police reorganisation likely to cost half a billion pounds: half a billion which could pay for 5,000 new police officers, or at least a nice pay rise for PC Adams. In the Commons on Monday, in a fierce argument about the plan to amalgamate England and Wales?s 43 police forces into 12 to 20 larger forces, the Home Secretary Charles Clarke denied that the move will undermine neighbourhood policing. Yet it must at best distract from it. "
Alice Miles
"The Home Office is proposing a major police reorganisation likely to cost half a billion pounds: half a billion which could pay for 5,000 new police officers, or at least a nice pay rise for PC Adams. In the Commons on Monday, in a fierce argument about the plan to amalgamate England and Wales?s 43 police forces into 12 to 20 larger forces, the Home Secretary Charles Clarke denied that the move will undermine neighbourhood policing. Yet it must at best distract from it. "
Psychological Treatments of Substance Misuse and Dependence / The Foresight project on Brain Science, Addiction and Drugs, 2005
PDF - http://digbig.com/4fsfs
H. Valerie Curran of University College, London ; Colin Drummond of St George's Hospital Medical School, London
"Damage from legal and illegal drugs is high in the UK. Clinical psychology has much to offer in providing evidence-based treatments for the abuse of drugs including tobacco and alcohol. A look at the prospects that clinical psychology will produce more
successful addiction treatments."
H. Valerie Curran of University College, London ; Colin Drummond of St George's Hospital Medical School, London
"Damage from legal and illegal drugs is high in the UK. Clinical psychology has much to offer in providing evidence-based treatments for the abuse of drugs including tobacco and alcohol. A look at the prospects that clinical psychology will produce more
successful addiction treatments."
Drug Testing - Foresight Brain Science, Addiction and Drugs project
PDF - http://digbig.com/4fsfr
David Cowan, Univeristy of London ; David Osselton, FSS ; Steven Robinson, FSS
"This review of drug testing outlines the methods capable of being used to analyse recreational, psychiatric, cognition-enhancing or mood-altering drugs. The review discusses the techniques currently used for the analysis of psychoactive drugs and
attempts to forecast methods that are likely to find a place in drug analysis within the next few years and beyond. The review attempts to predict how advances in analytical science, such as miniaturisation, linked with advances in electronics and increased
instrumental sensitivity might develop over the coming years."
David Cowan, Univeristy of London ; David Osselton, FSS ; Steven Robinson, FSS
"This review of drug testing outlines the methods capable of being used to analyse recreational, psychiatric, cognition-enhancing or mood-altering drugs. The review discusses the techniques currently used for the analysis of psychoactive drugs and
attempts to forecast methods that are likely to find a place in drug analysis within the next few years and beyond. The review attempts to predict how advances in analytical science, such as miniaturisation, linked with advances in electronics and increased
instrumental sensitivity might develop over the coming years."
A Survey of Probation Officers Concerning the Use of Hair Testing for Illicit Substances
http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/journal/kaune-callahan.htm
Michael M. Kaune, St. Francis College : Richard Callahan, Virginia Department of Corrections
"Among the results of the survey are that officers were overwhelming in their support for the use of hair testing. They expressed confidence in the results of hair testing and the majority preferred it to testing based on urinalysis. The respondents were part of a federally-funded research project on the use of hair testing that was conducted over four years and which administered over 2,200 hair tests to probationers and parolees. We conclude that while hair testing is well liked by participating officers and is widely used as a preemployment screening device, a comprehensive testing policy based on hair analysis is yet to be implemented in a corrections setting, and it is unlikely to be implemented in the immediate future because of cost concerns and bureaucratic status quo."
Michael M. Kaune, St. Francis College : Richard Callahan, Virginia Department of Corrections
"Among the results of the survey are that officers were overwhelming in their support for the use of hair testing. They expressed confidence in the results of hair testing and the majority preferred it to testing based on urinalysis. The respondents were part of a federally-funded research project on the use of hair testing that was conducted over four years and which administered over 2,200 hair tests to probationers and parolees. We conclude that while hair testing is well liked by participating officers and is widely used as a preemployment screening device, a comprehensive testing policy based on hair analysis is yet to be implemented in a corrections setting, and it is unlikely to be implemented in the immediate future because of cost concerns and bureaucratic status quo."
Keeping an Eye on Convicts / Wireless Week , 1 Dec 2005
http://www.wirelessweek.com/article/CA6287994.html
"A tracking device that not only knows where the offender is but also communicated regularly with correction officials. That's the kind of tracking service available through a small company named iSecuretrac, headquartered in Omaha, Neb., which recently won the technical innovation award in Qualcomm's annual A-List awards.
Kevin Gregory, a business development manager for Qualcomm's enterprise unit, says iSecuretrac is among a growing number of companies designing and building innovative applications that use CDMA for specific functions. When the A-List awards started three years ago, he says, most of the interest was in mobilizing employees, but now the focus is on solving specific interests or problems, such as tracking parolees. "
"A tracking device that not only knows where the offender is but also communicated regularly with correction officials. That's the kind of tracking service available through a small company named iSecuretrac, headquartered in Omaha, Neb., which recently won the technical innovation award in Qualcomm's annual A-List awards.
Kevin Gregory, a business development manager for Qualcomm's enterprise unit, says iSecuretrac is among a growing number of companies designing and building innovative applications that use CDMA for specific functions. When the A-List awards started three years ago, he says, most of the interest was in mobilizing employees, but now the focus is on solving specific interests or problems, such as tracking parolees. "
[USA] Cities think creatively to beat crime / San Bernardino County Sun, Dec 2005
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_3328245
"When police in Chicago experienced an upsurge in homicides and other violent crimes a few years ago, officials there started looking for long-term solutions. What they came up with was a layered approach that coupled old-fashioned street policing with new, high-tech tools. Veteran street cops continued to hit high-crime neighborhoods, contact gang members and drug dealers, and share intelligence with officers on other beats.
But they also tried tools such as a computerized crime-analysis system that defines high-crime areas as well as high-tech surveillance cameras, some of which can detect the sound of gunshots and automatically call 9-1-1. Costs are covered by asset-forfeiture funds generated from the sale of seized assets."
"When police in Chicago experienced an upsurge in homicides and other violent crimes a few years ago, officials there started looking for long-term solutions. What they came up with was a layered approach that coupled old-fashioned street policing with new, high-tech tools. Veteran street cops continued to hit high-crime neighborhoods, contact gang members and drug dealers, and share intelligence with officers on other beats.
But they also tried tools such as a computerized crime-analysis system that defines high-crime areas as well as high-tech surveillance cameras, some of which can detect the sound of gunshots and automatically call 9-1-1. Costs are covered by asset-forfeiture funds generated from the sale of seized assets."
Washington DOC Monitors Offenders With Biometrics / Biometrics, April 2004
http://www.biometricwatch.com/BW_in_print/washington_doc_handgeometry.htm
Describes the implementation of automated reporting kiosks in the Washington State Department of Corrections.
Describes the implementation of automated reporting kiosks in the Washington State Department of Corrections.
/ Commission for Social Care Inspection, Dec 2005
"Part 1 says what the Children's Rights team have done in the past year and what their plans are for the coming year. It also gives examples of how the team have supported individual children who have come to them for help.
PDF - http://www.csci.org.uk/publications/childrens_rights_director_reports/crd_report_2005_1.pdf
Part 2 shows what percentage of services, such as children's homes and boarding schools, have been failing or meeting key standards like consulting children. And it describes exactly what has led to services meeting or failing to meet the standards, with examples of good practice that inspectors have praised.
PDF - http://www.csci.org.uk/publications/childrens_rights_director_reports/crd_report_2005_2.pdf
Part 3 is a unique and hard-hitting collection of direct quotes from children and young people about the services they receive. The children and young people also give their views on the key issues for children's welfare."
PDF - http://www.csci.org.uk/publications/childrens_rights_director_reports/crd_report_2005_3.pdf
PDF - http://www.csci.org.uk/publications/childrens_rights_director_reports/crd_report_2005_1.pdf
Part 2 shows what percentage of services, such as children's homes and boarding schools, have been failing or meeting key standards like consulting children. And it describes exactly what has led to services meeting or failing to meet the standards, with examples of good practice that inspectors have praised.
PDF - http://www.csci.org.uk/publications/childrens_rights_director_reports/crd_report_2005_2.pdf
Part 3 is a unique and hard-hitting collection of direct quotes from children and young people about the services they receive. The children and young people also give their views on the key issues for children's welfare."
PDF - http://www.csci.org.uk/publications/childrens_rights_director_reports/crd_report_2005_3.pdf
[Canada] Criminal Justice Indicators : Definitions, data sources and methods / The Daily, Tuesday, 20 Dec 2005
http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/051220/d051220e.htm
This is not the Report. Links to various aspects of methodology etc. at the bottom of the page.
This is not the Report. Links to various aspects of methodology etc. at the bottom of the page.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
The Government must keep business on side when it comes to changes to immigration law / The Lawyer,- 19 Dec 2005
http://www.thelawyer.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=118150&d=122&h=24&f=46
"The strategy is to strengthen immigration control, both at borders and in-country, and admit migrants selectively to maximise the economic benefits of migration to the UK. The Government proposed a single points-based system to streamline the current 50-plus ways of coming to the UK into five broad tiers, the objective being to create a simple and transparent road plan for migration to the UK. While the Government's plans may be well intended, the proposals set out in the Home Office's consultation document published in July have been causing worry in some quarters, as the process will become much more complex and onerous for employers and potentially limit the accessible talent pool."
"The strategy is to strengthen immigration control, both at borders and in-country, and admit migrants selectively to maximise the economic benefits of migration to the UK. The Government proposed a single points-based system to streamline the current 50-plus ways of coming to the UK into five broad tiers, the objective being to create a simple and transparent road plan for migration to the UK. While the Government's plans may be well intended, the proposals set out in the Home Office's consultation document published in July have been causing worry in some quarters, as the process will become much more complex and onerous for employers and potentially limit the accessible talent pool."
[France] After 100 years, France questions its secularity / International Herald Tribune, 19 Dec 2005
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/19/news/secular.php
"The French concept of 'laicite - a term for which secularism is only an imperfect translation - has become an integral part of the identity of the French Republic, which in theory is blind to color and creed. Indeed, with President Jacques Chirac calling laicism 'a pillar of the republican temple,' some people say that it has become a state religion itself.
The French are re-evaluating the concept, even more so since the November rioting. A growing recognition of the discrimination and poverty suffered by immigrants and their descendants, many of them Muslim, has prompted calls from across the political spectrum for a looser interpretation of the 1905 law. "
"The French concept of 'laicite - a term for which secularism is only an imperfect translation - has become an integral part of the identity of the French Republic, which in theory is blind to color and creed. Indeed, with President Jacques Chirac calling laicism 'a pillar of the republican temple,' some people say that it has become a state religion itself.
The French are re-evaluating the concept, even more so since the November rioting. A growing recognition of the discrimination and poverty suffered by immigrants and their descendants, many of them Muslim, has prompted calls from across the political spectrum for a looser interpretation of the 1905 law. "
[France] Sarkozy says he's 'fought the most' for Muslims / Expatica, 18 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fsbp
"France's controversial Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said on Sunday that he had fought the most for the rights of the country's estimated five million Muslims and that recent riots had nothing to do with Islam.
He was speaking during an interview with the Arab channel al-Jazeera about the three weeks of rioting that swept poor sections of French cities in late October during which thousands of cars and public buildings were set ablaze and thousands of people arrested."
"France's controversial Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said on Sunday that he had fought the most for the rights of the country's estimated five million Muslims and that recent riots had nothing to do with Islam.
He was speaking during an interview with the Arab channel al-Jazeera about the three weeks of rioting that swept poor sections of French cities in late October during which thousands of cars and public buildings were set ablaze and thousands of people arrested."
[France] Lawmakers stiffen domestic violence sentences / Expatica, 15 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fsbn
"French lawmakers on Thursday voted to raise the age of marital consent for women, as part of a raft of legislation aimed at fighting forced marriages, violence against women and sex tourism.
Women will now have to be 18, instead of 15, in order to marry, while the law will give prosecutors the power to prevent a marriage from going ahead if there is a doubt about the consent of either party."
"French lawmakers on Thursday voted to raise the age of marital consent for women, as part of a raft of legislation aimed at fighting forced marriages, violence against women and sex tourism.
Women will now have to be 18, instead of 15, in order to marry, while the law will give prosecutors the power to prevent a marriage from going ahead if there is a doubt about the consent of either party."
You Can Say Yes in France! / Voltaire, 16 Dec 2005
http://www.voltairenet.org/article132771.html
Illustrates how the media worldwide feeds on, influences and exarcerbates evnts and happenings. With links to various reports.
"The riots that shook some French suburbs are over now; however, the media still echoes them. The acts of violence 'only' left some shops and several thousand vehicles destroyed, no one killed, but they shook the world. Media experts or political leaders delighted in talking about it. They gave the facts an importance they had not and dared make the most absurd or nauseating comparisons (i.e., a parallel between the acts of violence and hurricane Katrina particularly caught on despite its inconsistencies, and part of the press often predicted the beginning of a religious war). "
Illustrates how the media worldwide feeds on, influences and exarcerbates evnts and happenings. With links to various reports.
"The riots that shook some French suburbs are over now; however, the media still echoes them. The acts of violence 'only' left some shops and several thousand vehicles destroyed, no one killed, but they shook the world. Media experts or political leaders delighted in talking about it. They gave the facts an importance they had not and dared make the most absurd or nauseating comparisons (i.e., a parallel between the acts of violence and hurricane Katrina particularly caught on despite its inconsistencies, and part of the press often predicted the beginning of a religious war). "
[Canada] Influence of Muslim voters is growing / The Globe and Mail, 19 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fsbk
Jeff Sallot
"Arab and Muslim political activists are pressing the Liberals to change their policies in several areas. If the party won't act, the activists say they may call for strategic voting in 6-10 closely-fought ridings where their community makes up a small but significant part of the electorate."
Jeff Sallot
"Arab and Muslim political activists are pressing the Liberals to change their policies in several areas. If the party won't act, the activists say they may call for strategic voting in 6-10 closely-fought ridings where their community makes up a small but significant part of the electorate."
[Zambia] New twist in passport seizure row / Legalbrief, 19 dec 2005
http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20051219150725381
"The Zimbabwe Government is frantically working to introduce legislation to enable it to withdraw passports from political opponents and critics and thus restrict their movements. "
"The Zimbabwe Government is frantically working to introduce legislation to enable it to withdraw passports from political opponents and critics and thus restrict their movements. "
Arrests for Recorded Crime (Notifiable Offences) and the Operation of Certain Police Powers under PACE Englan /
Home Office Statistical Bulletin 21/05, 16 Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb2105.pdf
PDF - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb2105.pdf
Autumn Performance Report / Home Office, 20 Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/ho-targets-autumn-report-041?view=Binary
"The Autumn Performance Report is a summary of performance. The detailed statistics have already been published in the following reports:
Boreham R and Shaw A (2002) Drugs use, smoking and drinking among young people in England in 2001 London: The Stationery Office. http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/doh/sddyp/survey.htm
Kershaw K,; Nicholas S,; Povey D, and Walker A (eds) (2005) Crime in England and Wales 2004/2005 Home Office Statistical Bulletin 11/05. London: Home Office. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1105.pdf
Povey D,; Upson A and Jansson K (2005) Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to June 2005. Home Office Statistical Bulletin 18/05. London. Home Office. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/whatsnew1.html
Heath T,; Jefferies R,; and Purcell J (2005) Asylum Statistics 2004 United Kingdom 2004 Home Office Statistical Bulletin 13/05. London: Home Office. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1305.pdf
"The Autumn Performance Report is a summary of performance. The detailed statistics have already been published in the following reports:
Boreham R and Shaw A (2002) Drugs use, smoking and drinking among young people in England in 2001 London: The Stationery Office. http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/doh/sddyp/survey.htm
Kershaw K,; Nicholas S,; Povey D, and Walker A (eds) (2005) Crime in England and Wales 2004/2005 Home Office Statistical Bulletin 11/05. London: Home Office. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1105.pdf
Povey D,; Upson A and Jansson K (2005) Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to June 2005. Home Office Statistical Bulletin 18/05. London. Home Office. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/whatsnew1.html
Heath T,; Jefferies R,; and Purcell J (2005) Asylum Statistics 2004 United Kingdom 2004 Home Office Statistical Bulletin 13/05. London: Home Office. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1305.pdf
Monday, December 19, 2005
[Australia] An opportunity to tackle the complex issues behind the violence / sydney Morning Herald, 18 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frxh
Anne Davies
"The Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, identified alcohol as an important element in the riots at Cronulla. But the State Government is preparing to extend the liquor trading hours. This is despite an alcohol summit which found alcohol was a big health issue in NSW.
Moroney was at pains to urge parents to take more responsibility for their children's behaviour. He was right, but treating it simply as an individual problem of discipline will fail to get to the bottom of a complex set of issues for Sydney."
Anne Davies
"The Police Commissioner, Ken Moroney, identified alcohol as an important element in the riots at Cronulla. But the State Government is preparing to extend the liquor trading hours. This is despite an alcohol summit which found alcohol was a big health issue in NSW.
Moroney was at pains to urge parents to take more responsibility for their children's behaviour. He was right, but treating it simply as an individual problem of discipline will fail to get to the bottom of a complex set of issues for Sydney."
[USA] Sex offender site criticized / The News-Press: Local & State, 18 Dec 2005
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/NEWS01/512180417/1075
Melanie Payne
"Almost half of the sex offenders Florida lists online are in jail, dead or missing. The sex offender registry is supposed to help people see if dangerous criminals live in their neighborhoods.
Critics contend it fails to do that. Not only is the list populated by people who aren't in the community, some experts contend that Florida's list has too many people at low risk for reoffending. The result is a public frenzy that endangers offenders' families and squanders police and community resources. "
Melanie Payne
"Almost half of the sex offenders Florida lists online are in jail, dead or missing. The sex offender registry is supposed to help people see if dangerous criminals live in their neighborhoods.
Critics contend it fails to do that. Not only is the list populated by people who aren't in the community, some experts contend that Florida's list has too many people at low risk for reoffending. The result is a public frenzy that endangers offenders' families and squanders police and community resources. "
A Shadowy Trade Migrates to the Web / New York Times,
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/19/business/19kidswebhistory.html
KURT EICHENWALD
"The flood of Webcams and their use by young people has created a law enforcement challenge, officials said, impeding efforts to find predators online. In the old days, police and federal agents would pose online as teenagers and arrest the adults who attempted to entice them into sexual situations. But now, law enforcement officials involved in such online impersonations said, it is common for an adult to demand that a teenager turn on a Webcam after the first few minutes of conversation. Police cannot use real children to lure wrongdoers, and they cannot broadcast underage pornographic images. That has left law enforcement officials having to make excuses for why they do not have a Webcam."
KURT EICHENWALD
"The flood of Webcams and their use by young people has created a law enforcement challenge, officials said, impeding efforts to find predators online. In the old days, police and federal agents would pose online as teenagers and arrest the adults who attempted to entice them into sexual situations. But now, law enforcement officials involved in such online impersonations said, it is common for an adult to demand that a teenager turn on a Webcam after the first few minutes of conversation. Police cannot use real children to lure wrongdoers, and they cannot broadcast underage pornographic images. That has left law enforcement officials having to make excuses for why they do not have a Webcam."
Sunday, December 18, 2005
[Australia] City faces Christmas lock-down / Sydney Morning Herald, 19 Dec 2005
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/12/18/1134840742414.html?from=rss
Robert Wainwright, Anne Davies and Matt Wade
"Behind a facade of peaceful but almost deserted beaches at the weekend, a disturbing picture of determined violence emerged. Alleged white supremacists, and isolated groups and individuals of various ethnic backgrounds, were arrested as police seized weapons, cars, phones and bomb-making materials"
Robert Wainwright, Anne Davies and Matt Wade
"Behind a facade of peaceful but almost deserted beaches at the weekend, a disturbing picture of determined violence emerged. Alleged white supremacists, and isolated groups and individuals of various ethnic backgrounds, were arrested as police seized weapons, cars, phones and bomb-making materials"
Terrorism trial faces challenge / Sydney Morning Herald, 18 Dec 2005
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/12/18/1134840742422.html?from=rss
Michael Pelly
"Six media organisations are arguing that the National Information Security Act interferes with the conduct of trials in state courts and gives no guidance on weighing national security against the right to a fair hearing."
Michael Pelly
"Six media organisations are arguing that the National Information Security Act interferes with the conduct of trials in state courts and gives no guidance on weighing national security against the right to a fair hearing."
[USA] Pataki Calls Special Session For Criminal Justice Issues / North country Gazette, 16 Dec 2005
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/121605SpecialSession.html
"In the wake of the shooting deaths of several New York City police officers, New York's Governor has called the Legislature into special session Wednesday, Dec. 21 to vote on issues that he says are critical to keeping police officers safe and getting illegal guns off our streets."
"In the wake of the shooting deaths of several New York City police officers, New York's Governor has called the Legislature into special session Wednesday, Dec. 21 to vote on issues that he says are critical to keeping police officers safe and getting illegal guns off our streets."
Venezuela starts to use new passports / China People's Daily, 17 Dec 2005
http://english.people.com.cn/200512/17/eng20051217_228851.html
"Venezuela started on Friday [16/12/2005] to use new passports under a Community of Andean Nations (CAN) regional passport plan. The new Andean passport meets all the international security standards for identification documents, said Hugo Cabezas, head of the National Office for Foreigners and Identification.
Cabezas said this is the first phase in the full homogenization of documents across the Andean region which will take place by 2010. New Venezuelan passports will bear the Andean insignia, but old ones will also be accepted during the transition period, he said.
The CAN nations -- Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia -- have a combined population of 120 million and cover an area of 4.7 million square km. " [Snippet]
"Venezuela started on Friday [16/12/2005] to use new passports under a Community of Andean Nations (CAN) regional passport plan. The new Andean passport meets all the international security standards for identification documents, said Hugo Cabezas, head of the National Office for Foreigners and Identification.
Cabezas said this is the first phase in the full homogenization of documents across the Andean region which will take place by 2010. New Venezuelan passports will bear the Andean insignia, but old ones will also be accepted during the transition period, he said.
The CAN nations -- Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia -- have a combined population of 120 million and cover an area of 4.7 million square km. " [Snippet]
Police Ignore Merger Decision Date /from The Westmorland Gazette, 16 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frtp
Luke Dicicco
"Cumbria Police Authority has voted to break ranks with the Home Secretary and ignore the deadline for declaring its preferred option for a merger. The authority followed advice from the Association of Police Authorities at a meeting yesterday (Thursday) by refusing to identify a preference for a merger with Lancashire or with Lancashire and Merseyside by December 23."
Luke Dicicco
"Cumbria Police Authority has voted to break ranks with the Home Secretary and ignore the deadline for declaring its preferred option for a merger. The authority followed advice from the Association of Police Authorities at a meeting yesterday (Thursday) by refusing to identify a preference for a merger with Lancashire or with Lancashire and Merseyside by December 23."
Tougher law plan to jail more rapists / The Observer, 18 Dec 2005
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1670045,00.html
Mark Townsend
"A radical overhaul of the rape laws, including a potential new definition of whether a woman is fit to give consent to sex, has been prepared by ministers to ensure more rapists are convicted."
Mark Townsend
"A radical overhaul of the rape laws, including a potential new definition of whether a woman is fit to give consent to sex, has been prepared by ministers to ensure more rapists are convicted."
Why banker's killer was missed by probation staff / Observer, 18 Dec 2005
http://www.guardian.co.uk/prisons/story/0,7369,1670042,00.html
Jamie Doward
"Two years ago, an inquiry was set up into the lack of supervision of David Parfitt, a drug addict who killed a police constable, Ged Walker, while out on parole in Nottingham. At Parfitt's trial, it emerged that Walker had breached his licence up to 13 times. The constable's widow, Tracy, said the revelation showed Parfitt should have been in prison at the time of her husband's murder. The inquiry called for greater communication between the prison and probation services and the police, but the Monckton case suggests little has changed."
Jamie Doward
"Two years ago, an inquiry was set up into the lack of supervision of David Parfitt, a drug addict who killed a police constable, Ged Walker, while out on parole in Nottingham. At Parfitt's trial, it emerged that Walker had breached his licence up to 13 times. The constable's widow, Tracy, said the revelation showed Parfitt should have been in prison at the time of her husband's murder. The inquiry called for greater communication between the prison and probation services and the police, but the Monckton case suggests little has changed."
[Australia] WA to trial satellite tracking of serious offenders / Sydney Morning Herald, 18 dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frtn
"In an Australian first, Justice Minister John D'Orazio said four different satellite-based offender tracking systems would be trialled for use in WA, beginning in January next year."
"In an Australian first, Justice Minister John D'Orazio said four different satellite-based offender tracking systems would be trialled for use in WA, beginning in January next year."
Youth gangs offered jobs to turn away from crime / Sunday Herald, 18 Dec 2005
http://www.sundayherald.com/53376
Liam McDougall
"A CONTROVERSIAL pilot scheme to tackle Scotland's "booze and blade" culture will offer young gang members jobs or college places in a bid to wean them off crime. Under the controversial initiative, to be launched initially in the Govan area of Glasgow, police officers will pass intelligence on key gang members to enterprise agencies such as Careers Scotland and local authorities, who will identify willing employers or college placements so they can begin a career."
Liam McDougall
"A CONTROVERSIAL pilot scheme to tackle Scotland's "booze and blade" culture will offer young gang members jobs or college places in a bid to wean them off crime. Under the controversial initiative, to be launched initially in the Govan area of Glasgow, police officers will pass intelligence on key gang members to enterprise agencies such as Careers Scotland and local authorities, who will identify willing employers or college placements so they can begin a career."
The Year of the Asbo / Sunday telegraph, 18 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frtm
"Mid Calder became the first place in Britain to issue a village-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour, allowing police to disperse any young person found outdoors: if they refuse, the teens face the threat of an anti-social behaviour order and up to five years in jail.
It was the latest incident in a year when Asbos, drunken violence and respect became the new battleground of Blair's Britain."
"Mid Calder became the first place in Britain to issue a village-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour, allowing police to disperse any young person found outdoors: if they refuse, the teens face the threat of an anti-social behaviour order and up to five years in jail.
It was the latest incident in a year when Asbos, drunken violence and respect became the new battleground of Blair's Britain."
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Meth addicts' other habit: Online theft#chart / USA TODAY, 14 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frsj
Byron Acohido and Jon Swartz
"What's happening in Edmonton is happening to one degree or another in communities across the USA and Canada - anywhere meth addicts are engaging in identity theft and can get on the Internet, say police, federal law enforcement officials and Internet security experts."
Byron Acohido and Jon Swartz
"What's happening in Edmonton is happening to one degree or another in communities across the USA and Canada - anywhere meth addicts are engaging in identity theft and can get on the Internet, say police, federal law enforcement officials and Internet security experts."
Police in Aberdeen have stopped using miniature cameras to film revellers. / Evening Express 15 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frrt
Police in Aberdeen have stopped using miniature cameras to film revellers. An Evening Express probe recently revealed officers were using tiny, hat-mounted cameras to film club goers."
Police in Aberdeen have stopped using miniature cameras to film revellers. An Evening Express probe recently revealed officers were using tiny, hat-mounted cameras to film club goers."
House OKs Bill to Tighten Immigration Laws / The Washington Times, 17 Dec 2005
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BORDER_SECURITY?SITE=DCTMS&SECTION=HOME
Jim Abrams
"The House acted Friday to stem the tide of illegal immigration by taking steps to tighten border controls and stop unlawful immigrants from getting jobs. But lawmakers left for next year the tougher issue of what to do with the 11 million undocumented people already in the country."
Jim Abrams
"The House acted Friday to stem the tide of illegal immigration by taking steps to tighten border controls and stop unlawful immigrants from getting jobs. But lawmakers left for next year the tougher issue of what to do with the 11 million undocumented people already in the country."
Tiered approach to drug prevention and treatment among young people / Liverpool John Moores University, 2005
PDF - http://www.cph.org.uk/cph_pubs/reports/SM/NCCDP%20Tiers.pdf
Burrell K., Jones L., Sumnall H., McVeigh J., Bellis M.A.
Burrell K., Jones L., Sumnall H., McVeigh J., Bellis M.A.
Police rebel over mergers plan / icWales, 16 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frrs
"A major rebellion over Home Secretary Charles Clarke's plan to merge forces in England and Wales was launched by police authorities. The Association of Police Authorities (APA) accused Mr Clarke of trying to 'bribe' forces into submission."
"A major rebellion over Home Secretary Charles Clarke's plan to merge forces in England and Wales was launched by police authorities. The Association of Police Authorities (APA) accused Mr Clarke of trying to 'bribe' forces into submission."
[Denmark] UN criticises Danish refugee demands / 16 Dec 2005 Jyllands-Posten
http://www.jp.dk/english_news/artikel:aid=3447400/
"The government's integration policies will only lead to further alienation of refugees, the Office of the United Nations' High Commissioner of Refugees says . The proposals include demands that newly arrived foreigners sign a treaty pledging to work towards their children's and spouses' integration. They must denounce terrorism as well as declare that it is forbidden to use violence against one's family." [Snippet]
"The government's integration policies will only lead to further alienation of refugees, the Office of the United Nations' High Commissioner of Refugees says . The proposals include demands that newly arrived foreigners sign a treaty pledging to work towards their children's and spouses' integration. They must denounce terrorism as well as declare that it is forbidden to use violence against one's family." [Snippet]
[France] Senate gives thumbs-up to anti-terrorism law / Expatica, 15 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frrr
"France's upper house of parliament adopted on Thursday a new anti-terrorism bill, rejecting several amendments by left-wing opposition parties who feared the effect on civil liberties and race relations. Partly inspired by British investigators' use of video footage to identify the suicide bombers in the July attacks In London, the law paves the way for increased use of surveillance cameras in public spaces such as train stations, churches and mosques, factories or nuclear plants."
PROJET DE LOI MoDIFI� par le s�nat relatif � la lutte contre le terrorisme et portant dispositions diverses relatives � la s�curit� et aux contr�les frontaliers. - http://ameli.senat.fr/publication_pl/2005-2006/109.html
"France's upper house of parliament adopted on Thursday a new anti-terrorism bill, rejecting several amendments by left-wing opposition parties who feared the effect on civil liberties and race relations. Partly inspired by British investigators' use of video footage to identify the suicide bombers in the July attacks In London, the law paves the way for increased use of surveillance cameras in public spaces such as train stations, churches and mosques, factories or nuclear plants."
PROJET DE LOI MoDIFI� par le s�nat relatif � la lutte contre le terrorisme et portant dispositions diverses relatives � la s�curit� et aux contr�les frontaliers. - http://ameli.senat.fr/publication_pl/2005-2006/109.html
[Canada] Adult correctional services / The Daily, 16 Dec 2005.
http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/051216/d051216b.htm
"Canada's incarceration rate in 2003/04, including individuals held in federal, provincial and territorial systems, was at its lowest level since 1981/82. For every 100,000 adults in the population in 2003/04, 130 were incarcerated, a 3% decline from the previous year. It was the first decrease since 2000/01 when the incarceration rate became stable at 134 adults."
"Canada's incarceration rate in 2003/04, including individuals held in federal, provincial and territorial systems, was at its lowest level since 1981/82. For every 100,000 adults in the population in 2003/04, 130 were incarcerated, a 3% decline from the previous year. It was the first decrease since 2000/01 when the incarceration rate became stable at 134 adults."
Green Paper: Reducing Re-Offending Through Skills and Employment / DfES, 15 Dec 2005
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/conDetails.cfm?consultationId=1381
"Starting from 15 December 2005 the Department for Education and Skills, Home Office and Department of Work and Pensions are consulting on new strategy ideas to help reduce re-offending. This consultation is based on the Reducing Re-Offending Through Skills and Employment Green Paper also published on the 15 December. The Green Paper sets out the main arguments and questions that we will be seeking comments on.
We welcome responses from all interested parties on the consultation questions. The consultation will end on 29 May and we expect to be able to publish the results soon there after."
Green Paper Consultation Documment - http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/downloadableDocs/ACF787F.doc
"Starting from 15 December 2005 the Department for Education and Skills, Home Office and Department of Work and Pensions are consulting on new strategy ideas to help reduce re-offending. This consultation is based on the Reducing Re-Offending Through Skills and Employment Green Paper also published on the 15 December. The Green Paper sets out the main arguments and questions that we will be seeking comments on.
We welcome responses from all interested parties on the consultation questions. The consultation will end on 29 May and we expect to be able to publish the results soon there after."
Green Paper Consultation Documment - http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/downloadableDocs/ACF787F.doc
[Australia] It's not a race war, it's a clash of cultures / The Australian: 16 Dec 2005]
http://digbig.com/4frrp
Keith Windschuttle
"The tensions that exploded this week were defined into existence by multiculturalist policies and ideas. It wasn't the youths at Cronulla beach who decided that all Lebanese constitute an ethnic group. That was done for them by politicians, bureaucrats and academics in the name of constructing ethnic communities. Those youths certainly can be blamed for trying to beat up a few outnumbered innocents but not for responding to people as ethnics in the first place. " [Sub Required]
Keith Windschuttle
"The tensions that exploded this week were defined into existence by multiculturalist policies and ideas. It wasn't the youths at Cronulla beach who decided that all Lebanese constitute an ethnic group. That was done for them by politicians, bureaucrats and academics in the name of constructing ethnic communities. Those youths certainly can be blamed for trying to beat up a few outnumbered innocents but not for responding to people as ethnics in the first place. " [Sub Required]
Legislation - Powers of Arrest / Jane's Police Review, 14 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frrn
Dave Parker
"The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 introduces new powers of arrest, which are due to come into force on New Year's Day. This week begins an examination of the new powers to help prepare officers for the changes " [Sub Required]
Dave Parker
"The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 introduces new powers of arrest, which are due to come into force on New Year's Day. This week begins an examination of the new powers to help prepare officers for the changes " [Sub Required]
Crisis identity / Jane's Police Review, 14 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frrm
John Dean
"Specialists involved in identifying the dead after disasters should be able to respond more rapidly and efficiently with the creation of a nationally co-ordinated network of officers, forensic scientists and medical practitioners. Under the new arrangements, there will be a national disaster victim identification team able to respond at short notice to major incidents. The system, which is being set up over the next year by the Home Office and ACPO along with other bodies, will ensure that the most appropriate experts - be they police officers, forensic specialists or medical practitioners - are rapidly deployed to the scenes of disasters at home or abroad. " [Sub required]
John Dean
"Specialists involved in identifying the dead after disasters should be able to respond more rapidly and efficiently with the creation of a nationally co-ordinated network of officers, forensic scientists and medical practitioners. Under the new arrangements, there will be a national disaster victim identification team able to respond at short notice to major incidents. The system, which is being set up over the next year by the Home Office and ACPO along with other bodies, will ensure that the most appropriate experts - be they police officers, forensic specialists or medical practitioners - are rapidly deployed to the scenes of disasters at home or abroad. " [Sub required]
Closing the circle / Jane's Police Review, 14 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frrk
"Managing prolific offenders with multi-agency teams has drastically cut crime in Nottinghamshire. Royston Martis reports on the Sherwood project, which has helped to give the force the best burglary, robbery and car crime statistics for six years. " [Sub Required]
"Managing prolific offenders with multi-agency teams has drastically cut crime in Nottinghamshire. Royston Martis reports on the Sherwood project, which has helped to give the force the best burglary, robbery and car crime statistics for six years. " [Sub Required]
[Scotland] Force for change / Jane's Police Review, 14 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frrj
Malcolm dickson
"The proposals for restructuring forces in England and Wales do not apply to Scotland. In many ways that is appropriate because there is a completely different dynamic in Scotland, arguably a different, more community-linked style of policing and a slightly more coherent set of national policing institutions all ready to be combined in to a single entity. But that does not mean to say that a different kind of change is not needed or opportune. " [Sub Required]
Malcolm dickson
"The proposals for restructuring forces in England and Wales do not apply to Scotland. In many ways that is appropriate because there is a completely different dynamic in Scotland, arguably a different, more community-linked style of policing and a slightly more coherent set of national policing institutions all ready to be combined in to a single entity. But that does not mean to say that a different kind of change is not needed or opportune. " [Sub Required]
Friday, December 16, 2005
[Australia] Sydney riots blot Australia's famed racial harmony / Monsters & Critics, 13 Dec 2005
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/printer_1068580.php
Sid Astbury
"Macquarie University demographer Jim Forrest has pointed out an aberration in Australia's immigration patterns that goes some way to explain some deeply entrenched anti-social behaviour among youths of Lebanese descent.
He notes that what have been the great levellers in the migrant experience - getting a command of English and a good education - are rare in a large body of the Middle Eastern migrants that have settled around Lakemba.
Unemployment in these enclaves is twice the national average, crime rates are high, and social commentators have made much of a generation that seems beyond the control of its parents."
Sid Astbury
"Macquarie University demographer Jim Forrest has pointed out an aberration in Australia's immigration patterns that goes some way to explain some deeply entrenched anti-social behaviour among youths of Lebanese descent.
He notes that what have been the great levellers in the migrant experience - getting a command of English and a good education - are rare in a large body of the Middle Eastern migrants that have settled around Lakemba.
Unemployment in these enclaves is twice the national average, crime rates are high, and social commentators have made much of a generation that seems beyond the control of its parents."
EU: Phone and internet records to be kept for 2 years for police access PublicTechnology, 15 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frnn
"A key part of Europe's strategy for tackling terrorism and organised crime was put in place yesterday when members of the European Parliament voted in favour of a deal to ensure phone and internet records can be retained for up to two years for use in investigations by law enforcement agencies."
"A key part of Europe's strategy for tackling terrorism and organised crime was put in place yesterday when members of the European Parliament voted in favour of a deal to ensure phone and internet records can be retained for up to two years for use in investigations by law enforcement agencies."
Australia legislation expands Sydney police powers to cope with rioting / JURIST - Paper Chase:
http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2005/12/australia-legislation-expands-sydney.php
"The Parliament of New South Wales [official website] passed laws in an emergency session Thursday allowing Sydney police to 'lockdown' parts of the city if necessary in order to stop racial unrest. The new legislation also increases jail sentences for rioting and affray and expands police power, providing the authority to stop and search people and vehicles, ban alcohol, and seize vehicles and mobile phones. The Law Enforcement Legislation Amendment [PDF - http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/NSWBills.nsf/0/79d1fb0d57cabcaaca2570d700832d38/$FILE/b05-124-33-p02.pdf] was enacted in reaction to two days of race riots in Sydney [JURIST report] that occurred earlier this week."
"The Parliament of New South Wales [official website] passed laws in an emergency session Thursday allowing Sydney police to 'lockdown' parts of the city if necessary in order to stop racial unrest. The new legislation also increases jail sentences for rioting and affray and expands police power, providing the authority to stop and search people and vehicles, ban alcohol, and seize vehicles and mobile phones. The Law Enforcement Legislation Amendment [PDF - http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/NSWBills.nsf/0/79d1fb0d57cabcaaca2570d700832d38/$FILE/b05-124-33-p02.pdf] was enacted in reaction to two days of race riots in Sydney [JURIST report] that occurred earlier this week."
Monitoring the "terrorist" lists - proscription, designation and asset freezing / Statewatch: updated Dec 2005
http://www.statewatch.org/terrorlists/terrorlists.html
Website - by Statewatch in association with the Campaign Against Criminalising Communities and the Human Rights and Social Justice Institute, London Metropolitan University, to monitor the largely secret development of the policy of "proscribing" groups and individuals connected with "terrorism"
Website - by Statewatch in association with the Campaign Against Criminalising Communities and the Human Rights and Social Justice Institute, London Metropolitan University, to monitor the largely secret development of the policy of "proscribing" groups and individuals connected with "terrorism"
[Australia] Sydney violence fuelled by race, ignorance and youth / Stuff NZ, 16 Dec 2005
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3513049a12,00.html
"Racial tensions in Sydney that erupted into violence this week have been fuelled by fear owing to the war on terrorism, alienation, ignorance, territorialism and youthful arrogance, social commentators say. "
"Racial tensions in Sydney that erupted into violence this week have been fuelled by fear owing to the war on terrorism, alienation, ignorance, territorialism and youthful arrogance, social commentators say. "
$15bn cost blocks prospect of national identity card system / The Australian, 16 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4frng
Steve Lewis
"THE chances of a national identity card are fading, with business and police voicing concerns over the costs and logistics of implementing a blanket system. Leading business groups say the cost of an 'Australia card' could blow out to $15 billion, and Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison has conceded the financial impact could stymie a national approach."
Steve Lewis
"THE chances of a national identity card are fading, with business and police voicing concerns over the costs and logistics of implementing a blanket system. Leading business groups say the cost of an 'Australia card' could blow out to $15 billion, and Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison has conceded the financial impact could stymie a national approach."
New Security Realities and al-Qaeda?s Changing Tactics: An Interview with Saad al-Faqih
/ Spotlight on Terror, 15 Dec 2005
http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2369847
Mahan Abedin
http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2369847
Mahan Abedin
Four decades of UK race law / BBC, 13 Dec 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4510062.stm
Cindi John
"On the 40th anniversary of the UK's first Race Relations Act, the BBC News website looks back to when it was introduced and at developments since then."
Cindi John
"On the 40th anniversary of the UK's first Race Relations Act, the BBC News website looks back to when it was introduced and at developments since then."
Darfur asylum applicant deported from UK can't get a fair hearing in Greece / UNHCR in the UK, 16 Dec 2005
http://www.unhcr.org.uk/press/press_releases2005/pr08December05.htm
"In essence, this case shows the extent to which European countries - both individually and collectively at the EU level - may have sacrificed protection safeguards in their efforts to restrict access and reduce numbers. A refugee can make an asylum claim in one EU country; move on to another EU country for quite understandable (if technically irregular) reasons; be returned perfectly legally under an EU Regulation to the country where the first asylum claim was lodged; and then - also perfectly correctly under that country's national law - not have his or her original claim heard at all."
"In essence, this case shows the extent to which European countries - both individually and collectively at the EU level - may have sacrificed protection safeguards in their efforts to restrict access and reduce numbers. A refugee can make an asylum claim in one EU country; move on to another EU country for quite understandable (if technically irregular) reasons; be returned perfectly legally under an EU Regulation to the country where the first asylum claim was lodged; and then - also perfectly correctly under that country's national law - not have his or her original claim heard at all."
How to Keep a Digital Chain of Custody / CSO Magazine - December 2005
http://www.csoonline.com/read/120105/ht_custody.html
Sarah D. Scalet
"To prove chain of custody, you'll need a form that details how the evidence was handled every step of the way."
Sample form - PDF - http://www.csoonline.com/read/120105/sample_chain_custody.pdf
Sarah D. Scalet
"To prove chain of custody, you'll need a form that details how the evidence was handled every step of the way."
Sample form - PDF - http://www.csoonline.com/read/120105/sample_chain_custody.pdf
Victims of sexual assault set for improved care due to pioneering new training / King's College Hospital NHS Trust:
/ 15 Dec 2005
http://www.kingsch.nhs.uk/news/details.asp?item=104
"Care and Evidence, a pioneering new training tool, that could improve conviction rates of rapists. The package, developed by King's College Hospital and the Metropolitan Police, is aimed at healthcare professionals and police forces across the country. It is designed to provide the best care for victims of sexual assault, and give essential instruction regarding correct procedures for collection and preservation of forensic evidence - a vital component in the trial and conviction of rapists. "
Website - www.careandevidence.org
http://www.kingsch.nhs.uk/news/details.asp?item=104
"Care and Evidence, a pioneering new training tool, that could improve conviction rates of rapists. The package, developed by King's College Hospital and the Metropolitan Police, is aimed at healthcare professionals and police forces across the country. It is designed to provide the best care for victims of sexual assault, and give essential instruction regarding correct procedures for collection and preservation of forensic evidence - a vital component in the trial and conviction of rapists. "
Website - www.careandevidence.org
IRR News national forum conference - 2006
The Institute of Race Relations is, as part of its News Service project (funded by the Big Lottery), planning a conference next year to enable groups working in the BME and refugee/asylum sectors to exchange views about the issues and policy areas covered by IRR News and the implications for developing their own services within the voluntary sector. If your organisation would be interested in participating in the conference forum or you wish to suggest topics or organisational issues for discussion, please email us at conference@irr.org.uk.
Immigration Events 2006
'Burning Cities: Lessons from the French uprisings for Europe and Britain today'
http://www.irr.org.uk/2006/january/ha000004.html
2:00pm, 19 January 2006 --- A seminar on equality and cohesion in Europe today, organised by UKREN - the UK Race and Europe Network.
A conference on Section 9
http://www.irr.org.uk/2006/january/ak000003.html
11:00am, 28 January 2006 --- A working conference for trade unionists, anti-deportation campaigners and anti-racists on the asylum & immigration acts.
http://www.irr.org.uk/2006/january/ha000004.html
2:00pm, 19 January 2006 --- A seminar on equality and cohesion in Europe today, organised by UKREN - the UK Race and Europe Network.
A conference on Section 9
http://www.irr.org.uk/2006/january/ak000003.html
11:00am, 28 January 2006 --- A working conference for trade unionists, anti-deportation campaigners and anti-racists on the asylum & immigration acts.
A Study of New York City's Family Assessment Program / Vera Publications, Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.vera.org/publication_pdf/323_595.pdf
"FAP seeks to swiftly connect children and families to appropriate services in the community, reduce the city's reliance on family court in Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) cases, and decrease the number of out-of-home placements for PINS youth. Commissioned by Probation and ACS, this report assesses the progress FAP has made in its first two-and-a-half years, finding that the city is already reaping significant benefits: connecting families to services more quickly and making fewer court referrals."
"FAP seeks to swiftly connect children and families to appropriate services in the community, reduce the city's reliance on family court in Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) cases, and decrease the number of out-of-home placements for PINS youth. Commissioned by Probation and ACS, this report assesses the progress FAP has made in its first two-and-a-half years, finding that the city is already reaping significant benefits: connecting families to services more quickly and making fewer court referrals."
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Brainwaves to be used as identification / Daily Times, 15 Dec 2005
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005\12\15\story_15-12-2005_pg1_10
"Canadian researchers hope to soon be able to use brain waves to unlock doors and get access to bank accounts. Some companies are already offering iris recognition systems that many countries want to put into biometric passports. But Julie Thorpe, a researcher at Carleton University in Ottawa wants to take the idea much further. She says it is possible to do away with key cards, pin numbers and a litany of other security tools that allow people to retrieve bank money, access computer data or enter restricted building."
"Canadian researchers hope to soon be able to use brain waves to unlock doors and get access to bank accounts. Some companies are already offering iris recognition systems that many countries want to put into biometric passports. But Julie Thorpe, a researcher at Carleton University in Ottawa wants to take the idea much further. She says it is possible to do away with key cards, pin numbers and a litany of other security tools that allow people to retrieve bank money, access computer data or enter restricted building."
Fresh moves to curb spiked drinks / BBC, 15 Dec 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4527828.stm
"A new scheme to help prevent alcohol and drug-assisted sex attacks is being piloted in the west of Scotland. About 200,000 tamper-free bottle tops are being handed out to 10 licensed premises in an experiment in north Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire. "
"A new scheme to help prevent alcohol and drug-assisted sex attacks is being piloted in the west of Scotland. About 200,000 tamper-free bottle tops are being handed out to 10 licensed premises in an experiment in north Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire. "
[Canada] Police worried over increasing criminal use of stun guns / CBC, 12 Dec 2005
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/12/12/stunguns051212.html?ref=rss
"Police across the country are noticing that more and more crimes are being committed with illegal stun guns, designed to cause temporary paralysis.
The weapons that are turning up on the streets don't look like the ones police forces in Canada use. They're smaller, about the size of a cell phone and the electricity comes from two prongs on top which can pack 300,000 volts, enough to disable anyone who gets zapped. "
"Police across the country are noticing that more and more crimes are being committed with illegal stun guns, designed to cause temporary paralysis.
The weapons that are turning up on the streets don't look like the ones police forces in Canada use. They're smaller, about the size of a cell phone and the electricity comes from two prongs on top which can pack 300,000 volts, enough to disable anyone who gets zapped. "
The national safety camera programme: Four-year evaluation report / DFT, 15 Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/downloadable/dft_rdsafety_610816.pdf
"This report concludes that safety cameras have continued to reduce collisions, casualties and deaths."
"This report concludes that safety cameras have continued to reduce collisions, casualties and deaths."
Parents of anti-social youth to face ?1,000 fine or counselling / Scotsman, 15 Dec 2005
http://news.scotsman.com/education.cfm?id=2410402005
Angie Brown
"PARENTS of children with anti-social behaviour problems are to be fined up to �1,000 if they fail to go to counselling under a new crackdown on unruly youths in Edinburgh. The move will first be introduced to the capital and, if successful, could be rolled out across Scotland."
Angie Brown
"PARENTS of children with anti-social behaviour problems are to be fined up to �1,000 if they fail to go to counselling under a new crackdown on unruly youths in Edinburgh. The move will first be introduced to the capital and, if successful, could be rolled out across Scotland."
Safety-testing of non-lethal weapons must be tightened / New Scientist, 17 Dec 2005
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/opinion/mg18825305.000.html
Paul Marks
"When it comes to developing non-lethal weapons, safety should be much higher on the agenda. At first glance, developing weapons that incapacitate without killing seems a worthy goal. But a worrying number of devices may not be quite as non-lethal as potential victims might hope for. Take the Taser stun gun, which incapacitates its victims with a 50,000-volt shock and is widely used in the US. The trouble with the Taser is that even after 10 years of use in the US, there are still serious concerns about its safety. " [Sub required]
Paul Marks
"When it comes to developing non-lethal weapons, safety should be much higher on the agenda. At first glance, developing weapons that incapacitate without killing seems a worthy goal. But a worrying number of devices may not be quite as non-lethal as potential victims might hope for. Take the Taser stun gun, which incapacitates its victims with a 50,000-volt shock and is widely used in the US. The trouble with the Taser is that even after 10 years of use in the US, there are still serious concerns about its safety. " [Sub required]
[Greece] Immigrants fear Greece amnesty / BBC, 14 Dec 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4528274.stm
William Horsley
"Greece has announced an amnesty for up to half a million illegal immigrants. But many believe that the law excludes them so they will have to remain outside the law. "
William Horsley
"Greece has announced an amnesty for up to half a million illegal immigrants. But many believe that the law excludes them so they will have to remain outside the law. "
Lord Justice Clerk backs autism awareness campaign / The National Autistic Society
http://www.autism.org.uk/cjp
ASD: a brief guide for criminal justice professionals
http://www.autism.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=306&a=5624
Autism: a guide for criminal justice professionals
http://www.autism.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=471&a=8528
ASDs and involvement in the criminal justice system
http://www.autism.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=305&a=6296
A distance learning resource for Criminal Justice Professionals
http://www.autism.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=403&a=8065
The NAS will be launching a web-based learning resource for Criminal Justice Professionals. It features case studies, expert viewpoints, resource material, reflective diary and links to relevant websites. The resource tests knowledge through text-based and interactive questions and answers.
Screening measure for autism in adults
http://www.autism.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=128&a=6730
ASD: a brief guide for criminal justice professionals
http://www.autism.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=306&a=5624
Autism: a guide for criminal justice professionals
http://www.autism.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=471&a=8528
ASDs and involvement in the criminal justice system
http://www.autism.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=305&a=6296
A distance learning resource for Criminal Justice Professionals
http://www.autism.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=403&a=8065
The NAS will be launching a web-based learning resource for Criminal Justice Professionals. It features case studies, expert viewpoints, resource material, reflective diary and links to relevant websites. The resource tests knowledge through text-based and interactive questions and answers.
Screening measure for autism in adults
http://www.autism.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=128&a=6730
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/mech-tech/mg18825303.800 / Charity times, 12 Dec 2005
http://www.charitytimes.com/pages/news/December%2005%20news/121205b%20guidestar.htm
"A lack of information means UK charities are missing out on donations of time and money according to research by charity information website, GuideStar UK, which launched 12 December.
It found that almost a third of the UK (31%) would be more willing to contribute time or money to national charities, and almost half (46%) would give to local charities, if they had access to more information. For the latter, this could generate an extra ?103,062,675 in donations.
Two in five people also said they gave less to charity because they were not confident how the money would be spent.
Erica Roberts, chief executive of GuideStar UK, said this is one of the issues the website aims to address: "It is our hope that by providing a 'one-stop-shop' of information, GuideStar UK will help to usher in a new era where everyone seeking help or information can instantly find a charity that answers their needs."GuideStar UK provides detailed information on all 167,000 registered charities in England and Wales. To view it, log onto www.guidestar.org.uk " [Snippet]
"A lack of information means UK charities are missing out on donations of time and money according to research by charity information website, GuideStar UK, which launched 12 December.
It found that almost a third of the UK (31%) would be more willing to contribute time or money to national charities, and almost half (46%) would give to local charities, if they had access to more information. For the latter, this could generate an extra ?103,062,675 in donations.
Two in five people also said they gave less to charity because they were not confident how the money would be spent.
Erica Roberts, chief executive of GuideStar UK, said this is one of the issues the website aims to address: "It is our hope that by providing a 'one-stop-shop' of information, GuideStar UK will help to usher in a new era where everyone seeking help or information can instantly find a charity that answers their needs."GuideStar UK provides detailed information on all 167,000 registered charities in England and Wales. To view it, log onto www.guidestar.org.uk " [Snippet]
Flaws revealed in on-the-spot coke test / New Scientist, 17 Dec 2005
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/mech-tech/mg18825303.800
Rowan Hooper
"A standard test for cocaine fails to detect the drug in some samples, and can give positive results when none of the drug is present SUSPICIONS that the internationally recognised field test for cocaine is unreliable have been confirmed by a lab investigation. Not only does the test fail to detect the drug in some samples, it can also wrongly give positive results when no cocaine is present. " [Sub Required]
Rowan Hooper
"A standard test for cocaine fails to detect the drug in some samples, and can give positive results when none of the drug is present SUSPICIONS that the internationally recognised field test for cocaine is unreliable have been confirmed by a lab investigation. Not only does the test fail to detect the drug in some samples, it can also wrongly give positive results when no cocaine is present. " [Sub Required]
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