http://www.autoindustry.co.uk/news/industry_news/news-57l57jlfa7
"The National Audit Office reported today that Home Office and other organisations' programmes have helped reduce thefts of and from vehicles by 30 per cent since 1999. Comptroller Sir John Bourn says this is a significant achievement but added that there is nevertheless scope to reduce such crimes even further."
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Policing the Police / [USA] Goverment Technology, October 2004
http://www.govtech.net/magazine/story.php?id=91697&issue=10:2004
Jim McKay
"Oakland, Calif., tackles police misconduct issues with database.The system will document use-of-force incidents, citizen complaints, attendance, shootings and accidents, as well as commendations, awards and letters of appreciation. Its main purpose is to help supervisors identify trends that might indicate an officer needs an intervention. "
Jim McKay
"Oakland, Calif., tackles police misconduct issues with database.The system will document use-of-force incidents, citizen complaints, attendance, shootings and accidents, as well as commendations, awards and letters of appreciation. Its main purpose is to help supervisors identify trends that might indicate an officer needs an intervention. "
Backlog keeps immigrants waiting years for green cards /USA TODAY, 26 Jan 2005
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-26-immigration-wait_x.htm
Sergio Bustos
"Obtaining legal U.S. residency is much harder today than it used to be. Applicants must be sponsored by an employer or relative in the United States or may qualify as a refugee by proving they have a 'well-founded fear of persecution' in their homeland.
But family-based visas are capped at 480,000 annually, employment visas at 140,000. The number of refugees admitted is decided by the president and Congress, which set the limit at 70,000 in 2004.
Adding to the backlog problem are immigrants from a handful of countries that flood immigration authorities with green card applications. Foreigners from China, Mexico, the Philippines and India tend to wait the longest after applying through a family member living in the United States because demand is so great. "
Sergio Bustos
"Obtaining legal U.S. residency is much harder today than it used to be. Applicants must be sponsored by an employer or relative in the United States or may qualify as a refugee by proving they have a 'well-founded fear of persecution' in their homeland.
But family-based visas are capped at 480,000 annually, employment visas at 140,000. The number of refugees admitted is decided by the president and Congress, which set the limit at 70,000 in 2004.
Adding to the backlog problem are immigrants from a handful of countries that flood immigration authorities with green card applications. Foreigners from China, Mexico, the Philippines and India tend to wait the longest after applying through a family member living in the United States because demand is so great. "
Britain Turning into Police State: Report / Islam Online, 28 Jan 2005
http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2005-01/28/article04.shtml
"Home Secretary Charles Clarke is turning Britain into a police state, the country's former anti-terrorist police chief said, shortly after British officials proposed new extensive powers to control and monitor suspects without charge or trial, according to a major British daily Friday, January 28.
"I have a horrible feeling that we are sinking into a police state, and that's not good for anybody. We live in a democracy and we should police on those standards," said George Churchill-Coleman"
"Home Secretary Charles Clarke is turning Britain into a police state, the country's former anti-terrorist police chief said, shortly after British officials proposed new extensive powers to control and monitor suspects without charge or trial, according to a major British daily Friday, January 28.
"I have a horrible feeling that we are sinking into a police state, and that's not good for anybody. We live in a democracy and we should police on those standards," said George Churchill-Coleman"
Green card backlogs still choking US immigration / Workpermit, 28 Jan 2005
http://www.workpermit.com/news/2005_01_28/us/green_card_backlogs_still_choking_us_immigration.htm
"Despite US Government promises to speed things up, thousands of people are still waiting for US immigration visas, often for years, reports the newspaper USA Today.
By some estimates there are over 600,000 foreigners with family members in the US waiting for their green cards, which would let them live and work permanently in America. Last spring the US Citizenship and Immigration Services started a campaign to clear all backlogged immigration applications including green cards, which had risen to 6 million in 2003."
"Despite US Government promises to speed things up, thousands of people are still waiting for US immigration visas, often for years, reports the newspaper USA Today.
By some estimates there are over 600,000 foreigners with family members in the US waiting for their green cards, which would let them live and work permanently in America. Last spring the US Citizenship and Immigration Services started a campaign to clear all backlogged immigration applications including green cards, which had risen to 6 million in 2003."
Anti-trafficking laws needed / The Malaysia Star, 28 Jan 2005
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/1/28/nation/10018043&sec=nation
"A new law should be enacted to arrest those who dupe foreign women into coming to Malaysia for jobs but forced them into prostitution instead, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) proposed.
Suhakam said often foreign women were arrested but the 'masterminds' or 'Johns' were let off easily because of the absence of an anti-trafficking law. "
"A new law should be enacted to arrest those who dupe foreign women into coming to Malaysia for jobs but forced them into prostitution instead, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) proposed.
Suhakam said often foreign women were arrested but the 'masterminds' or 'Johns' were let off easily because of the absence of an anti-trafficking law. "
DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT FOR CONNECTICUT INMATES REDUCES REARREST RATES / [USA] SAPRP, 14 Jan 2005
http://www.saprp.org/m_press_shepard011405.cfm
"Study Shows Positive Cost Benefit of Investing in Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Prisons "
"Study Shows Positive Cost Benefit of Investing in Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Prisons "
STUDY SHOWS CORRECTIONAL STAFF NEED TO CHANGE ATTITUDES TOWARD METHADONE / [USA] SAPRP, 26 Jan 2005
http://www.saprp.org/m_press_lapham012605.cfm
"Correctional facilities wanting to provide methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) might first want to change staff attitudes about heroin addicts and about methadone as an effective treatment for heroin addiction, according to a study published in the February issue of Addiction Research and Theory .
�Older and more educated security staff, along with medical staff, may be able to lead the way toward an overall change in attitude and acceptance of methadone treatment in correctional clinics,� according to the authors of the study, Garnett McMillan , Ph.D., and Sandra Lapham , M.D., of the Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest. "
"Correctional facilities wanting to provide methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) might first want to change staff attitudes about heroin addicts and about methadone as an effective treatment for heroin addiction, according to a study published in the February issue of Addiction Research and Theory .
�Older and more educated security staff, along with medical staff, may be able to lead the way toward an overall change in attitude and acceptance of methadone treatment in correctional clinics,� according to the authors of the study, Garnett McMillan , Ph.D., and Sandra Lapham , M.D., of the Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest. "
There are bigger threats than ID cards / Sydney Morning Herald, 28 Jan 2005
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Richard-Ackland/There-are-bigger-threats-than-ID-cards/2005/01/27/1106415729480.html
Richard Ackland
"The issue of a national identity card has re-emerged. Last week The Australian ran a story about the Government's proposed system of 'document verification'. As far as one could distil from the article, federal cabinet is soon to be presented with a proposal to check the authenticity of people's documents including drivers' licences, passports and birth certificates. This will be done through a formal system of cross-checking and the use of biometric details, which will require members of society to surrender impressions of their facial characteristics and fingerprints.
The online database could be used by government agencies and commercial outfits that need to authenticate anyone's identity to safeguard transactions. This might range from banks, stockbrokers, hotels, airlines, to businesses that hire anything from backhoes to cocktail glasses."
Richard Ackland
"The issue of a national identity card has re-emerged. Last week The Australian ran a story about the Government's proposed system of 'document verification'. As far as one could distil from the article, federal cabinet is soon to be presented with a proposal to check the authenticity of people's documents including drivers' licences, passports and birth certificates. This will be done through a formal system of cross-checking and the use of biometric details, which will require members of society to surrender impressions of their facial characteristics and fingerprints.
The online database could be used by government agencies and commercial outfits that need to authenticate anyone's identity to safeguard transactions. This might range from banks, stockbrokers, hotels, airlines, to businesses that hire anything from backhoes to cocktail glasses."
Charles Clarke's CV / spiked-liberties, 27 Jan 2005
http://www.spiked-online.com/articles/0000000CA8A4.htm
Jamie Douglass
"With David Blunkett's departure as home secretary, some thought we would to enter a new era of tolerance. The former Labour deputy leader Roy Hattersley has already defended Blunkett's replacement Charles Clarke as a man who has 'twice displayed a weakness for civil liberties 'obviously grateful for the opportunity to choose the libertarian option' So is Mr Clarke a woolly liberal in authoritarian lupine garb, or are we stuck with the dictatorial legacy of Mr B? "
Jamie Douglass
"With David Blunkett's departure as home secretary, some thought we would to enter a new era of tolerance. The former Labour deputy leader Roy Hattersley has already defended Blunkett's replacement Charles Clarke as a man who has 'twice displayed a weakness for civil liberties 'obviously grateful for the opportunity to choose the libertarian option' So is Mr Clarke a woolly liberal in authoritarian lupine garb, or are we stuck with the dictatorial legacy of Mr B? "
Friday, January 28, 2005
Report on Government Services 2005 [Australia] Productivity Commission
http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2005/2005partc.zip
Justice Preface http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2005/prefacec.pdf
Police services http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2005/chapter05.pdf
Court administration http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2005/chapter06.pdf
Corrective services http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2005/chapter07.pdf
Justice Preface http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2005/prefacec.pdf
Police services http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2005/chapter05.pdf
Court administration http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2005/chapter06.pdf
Corrective services http://www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2005/chapter07.pdf
Immigration policy : Howard's way / Economist, 27 Jan 2005
http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3599578
"The Conservatives propose a radical overhaul of the immigration system. Believing that overall numbers matter most, the Tories plan to follow Australia's and Canada's lead by setting annual immigration limits. The huddled masses would be divided into 'streams' of economic migrants, family members and refugees, with the hint that numbers in all three categories will be cut from present levels. Those who wish to work will be assessed by a points system designed to cherry-pick the sort of labourers Britain needs."
"The Conservatives propose a radical overhaul of the immigration system. Believing that overall numbers matter most, the Tories plan to follow Australia's and Canada's lead by setting annual immigration limits. The huddled masses would be divided into 'streams' of economic migrants, family members and refugees, with the hint that numbers in all three categories will be cut from present levels. Those who wish to work will be assessed by a points system designed to cherry-pick the sort of labourers Britain needs."
Prison or Treatment : What should the price of getting high be? /Smyth News,
http://www.smythnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=SCN/MGArticle/SCN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031780461826&path=!home
Lee Ann Prescott
"The costs to society from drug consumption, however, exceed the amounts spent on drug abuse. Drug use fosters crime; facilitates the spread of catastrophic health problems, such as hepatitis, endocarditis, and AIDS; and disrupts personal, familial, and legitimate economic relationships. The public bears much of the burden of these indirect costs because it finances the criminal justice response to drug-related crime, a public drug-treatment system, and anti-drug prevention programs," the report says."
Lee Ann Prescott
"The costs to society from drug consumption, however, exceed the amounts spent on drug abuse. Drug use fosters crime; facilitates the spread of catastrophic health problems, such as hepatitis, endocarditis, and AIDS; and disrupts personal, familial, and legitimate economic relationships. The public bears much of the burden of these indirect costs because it finances the criminal justice response to drug-related crime, a public drug-treatment system, and anti-drug prevention programs," the report says."
Making Civil Servants More...Civil / [Germany] Deutsche Welle, 26 Jan 2005
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,1470089,00.html?maca=en-bulletin-433-html
"Money talks - and if it can't actually buy you a residence permit, it can at least buy a gentle rejection rather than a barked refusal and a door slammed in the face. In 2002, Germany's venerable Humboldt Foundation introduced an award for the country's "friendliest immigration office." It's about to be issued for the third and last time. The burning question is: Did it help?
"
"Money talks - and if it can't actually buy you a residence permit, it can at least buy a gentle rejection rather than a barked refusal and a door slammed in the face. In 2002, Germany's venerable Humboldt Foundation introduced an award for the country's "friendliest immigration office." It's about to be issued for the third and last time. The burning question is: Did it help?
"
The not-for-profit principle / Charity Times, Jan 2005
http://www.charitytimes.com/pages/features/The%20not-for-profit%20principle.htm
Shayla Walmsley
"If the profit motive drives business, can you harness entrepreneurial energy, not for profit, but for the greater good? What makes social entrepreneurs different from, say, Richard Branson or Anita Roddick? Some demographic differences have been noted in the 2003 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report, which found that women and people from ethnic minorities are more likely to become social rather than commerical entrepreneurs. Social entrepreneurs also tend to be well-educated and financially better-off. However, when it comes to the practical aspects, there aren�t so many differences. "
Shayla Walmsley
"If the profit motive drives business, can you harness entrepreneurial energy, not for profit, but for the greater good? What makes social entrepreneurs different from, say, Richard Branson or Anita Roddick? Some demographic differences have been noted in the 2003 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report, which found that women and people from ethnic minorities are more likely to become social rather than commerical entrepreneurs. Social entrepreneurs also tend to be well-educated and financially better-off. However, when it comes to the practical aspects, there aren�t so many differences. "
Terrorist explosive blows up without flames / New Scientist, 26 Jan 2005
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6925
Jenny Hogan
"An explosive sometimes used by terrorists does not burn when it detonates. Instead, its molecules simply fall apart. The chemist who has discovered this is so concerned by its implications that he has decided to abandon this line of research.
Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) has been used by suicide bombers in Israel and was chosen as a detonator in 2001 by the thwarted 'shoe bomber' Richard Reid. Now calculations by Ehud Keinan from the Technion - Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel, show that most of its explosive force comes from a rapid release of gas rather than a burst of energy."
Jenny Hogan
"An explosive sometimes used by terrorists does not burn when it detonates. Instead, its molecules simply fall apart. The chemist who has discovered this is so concerned by its implications that he has decided to abandon this line of research.
Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) has been used by suicide bombers in Israel and was chosen as a detonator in 2001 by the thwarted 'shoe bomber' Richard Reid. Now calculations by Ehud Keinan from the Technion - Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel, show that most of its explosive force comes from a rapid release of gas rather than a burst of energy."
Police launch site to tackle net pervs | The Register, 27 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/27/net_safety_kids/
Lucy Sherriff
"An international police taskforce has launched a website where children can report possible online paedophile activity. The site's logo will appear on AOL BT, Vodafone and Microsoft websites, providing a hotlink to the home page of Virtual Global Taskforce.
Virtual Global Taskforce aims to make the internet a safer place for children and a more hostile place for paedophiles. It is the result of international collaboration between the National Crime Squad and its counterparts in Canada, the US and Australia."
Lucy Sherriff
"An international police taskforce has launched a website where children can report possible online paedophile activity. The site's logo will appear on AOL BT, Vodafone and Microsoft websites, providing a hotlink to the home page of Virtual Global Taskforce.
Virtual Global Taskforce aims to make the internet a safer place for children and a more hostile place for paedophiles. It is the result of international collaboration between the National Crime Squad and its counterparts in Canada, the US and Australia."
Eavesdropping on terror talk in Germany | The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Jan 2005
Eavesdropping on terror talk in Germany | csmonitor.com:
Faye Bowers
"Authorities learned how the suspects, who were arrested a week ago, tried to operate without attracting attention. The surveillance operation offers an inside look at some of the problems and progress of those on the frontlines of the war on terror."
Faye Bowers
"Authorities learned how the suspects, who were arrested a week ago, tried to operate without attracting attention. The surveillance operation offers an inside look at some of the problems and progress of those on the frontlines of the war on terror."
Police launch site to tackle net pervs | The Register, 27 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/27/net_safety_kids/
Lucy Sherriff
"An international police taskforce has launched a website where children can report possible online paedophile activity. The site's logo will appear on AOL BT, Vodafone and Microsoft websites, providing a hotlink to the home page of Virtual Global Taskforce.
Virtual Global Taskforce aims to make the internet a safer place for children and a more hostile place for paedophiles. It is the result of international collaboration between the National Crime Squad and its counterparts in Canada, the US and Australia."
Lucy Sherriff
"An international police taskforce has launched a website where children can report possible online paedophile activity. The site's logo will appear on AOL BT, Vodafone and Microsoft websites, providing a hotlink to the home page of Virtual Global Taskforce.
Virtual Global Taskforce aims to make the internet a safer place for children and a more hostile place for paedophiles. It is the result of international collaboration between the National Crime Squad and its counterparts in Canada, the US and Australia."
6 federal prisons getting tattoo parlours / [Canada] CBC News, 27 Jan 2005
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/01/27/prison-tattoos050127.html
"Federal prison officials are setting up tattoo services at six correctional institutions, in spite of the concerns of guards that inmates will use the needles as weapons.
Inmates will be trained to operate the tattoo services, which are designed to stem the spread of infectious diseases such as hepatitis C. "
"Federal prison officials are setting up tattoo services at six correctional institutions, in spite of the concerns of guards that inmates will use the needles as weapons.
Inmates will be trained to operate the tattoo services, which are designed to stem the spread of infectious diseases such as hepatitis C. "
Police technology to get major increased funding :: PublicTechnology, 28 Jan 2005
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2364
"Police forces in England and Wales will benefit from one of the best funding settlements in recent years. A lot of the money will go on Criminal Justice IT, and the new Airwave communications system.
Total funding for law and order will stand at nearly ?12 billion in 2005/6. Publishing the final police funding settlement for 2005/6, Ms Blears outlined how the Government's drive to build safer, stronger communities is reflected in the increase in total police funding of nearly 750 million this year"
"Police forces in England and Wales will benefit from one of the best funding settlements in recent years. A lot of the money will go on Criminal Justice IT, and the new Airwave communications system.
Total funding for law and order will stand at nearly ?12 billion in 2005/6. Publishing the final police funding settlement for 2005/6, Ms Blears outlined how the Government's drive to build safer, stronger communities is reflected in the increase in total police funding of nearly 750 million this year"
Tabloid fires 'Yahoo baby' reporter | The Register, 24 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/24/yahoo_baby_reporter_fired/
Lester Haines
"Romanian tabloid Libertatea has fired the reporter who fabricated a story claiming that a couple had named their baby Yahoo, Reuters reports.
Ion Garnod walked the plank after admitting he made the whole thing up 'to look good'. A birth certificate accompanying the story turned out to be that of Garnod's own son. The paper's deputy ed, Simona Ionescu, said: 'If it were real, it would have been a good story indeed.'
Yes it would, and El Reg duly ran the heartwarmer after Reuters picked up on the human-interest piece. We consider ourselves entirely blameless in the matter. After all, if you can't trust a Romanian tabloid, then who can you trust?"
Lester Haines
"Romanian tabloid Libertatea has fired the reporter who fabricated a story claiming that a couple had named their baby Yahoo, Reuters reports.
Ion Garnod walked the plank after admitting he made the whole thing up 'to look good'. A birth certificate accompanying the story turned out to be that of Garnod's own son. The paper's deputy ed, Simona Ionescu, said: 'If it were real, it would have been a good story indeed.'
Yes it would, and El Reg duly ran the heartwarmer after Reuters picked up on the human-interest piece. We consider ourselves entirely blameless in the matter. After all, if you can't trust a Romanian tabloid, then who can you trust?"
Thursday, January 27, 2005
These Israeli 'agents' have a nose for explosives | The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Jan 2005
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0126/p15s01-wome.html?s=hns
"A squad of bomb-detecting dogs boost public security despite initial doubts of the The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and police force. The police were concerned that the general public might be afraid of large dogs on buses. The IDF expressed doubt over the effectiveness of using dogs as the sole means of detection. But not only was public reaction overwhelmingly positive, but also in "hide and seek" trials, the dogs were 100 percent effective in locating hidden explosives."
"A squad of bomb-detecting dogs boost public security despite initial doubts of the The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and police force. The police were concerned that the general public might be afraid of large dogs on buses. The IDF expressed doubt over the effectiveness of using dogs as the sole means of detection. But not only was public reaction overwhelmingly positive, but also in "hide and seek" trials, the dogs were 100 percent effective in locating hidden explosives."
Bishop calls for prisons review / ekklesia, 25 Jan 2005
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_050125prison.shtml
"The bishop to the Prison Service today backed penal reformers' calls for a thorough evaluation of prison privatisation.
The Rt Rev Peter Selby, bishop of Worcester, said the government's policy of encouraging private companies to run jails could raise serious 'conflicts of interest'.
Dr Selby questioned whether government plans to reduce the number of people in prison might be undermined by the involvement of firms for which a rising jail population would be in their commercial interests. "
"The bishop to the Prison Service today backed penal reformers' calls for a thorough evaluation of prison privatisation.
The Rt Rev Peter Selby, bishop of Worcester, said the government's policy of encouraging private companies to run jails could raise serious 'conflicts of interest'.
Dr Selby questioned whether government plans to reduce the number of people in prison might be undermined by the involvement of firms for which a rising jail population would be in their commercial interests. "
Crime Report Highlights UK and Ireland Drug Problem / The Scotsman, 25 Jan 2005
Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Crime Report Highlights UK and Ireland Drug Problem:
Geoff Meade
Illegal drug use in the UK and Ireland is among the highest in the world. Both countries have a higher proportion of cocaine-users than anywhere except Spain, while Ireland tops the league table for ecstasy, says the the 46-nation Council of Europe annual report on the state of organised crime"
Geoff Meade
Illegal drug use in the UK and Ireland is among the highest in the world. Both countries have a higher proportion of cocaine-users than anywhere except Spain, while Ireland tops the league table for ecstasy, says the the 46-nation Council of Europe annual report on the state of organised crime"
Animal extremists' intimidation scares suppliers / Drug Researcher, 24 Jan 2005
http://www.drugresearcher.com/news/news-NG.asp?n=57553-animal-extremists-intimidation
"Figures released by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has revealed that the level of intimidation posed by animal extremists reaches as far as the suppliers who do business with companies involved with animal research.
The statistics show that major increases in the number of abusive or threatening phone calls made to companies engaging in animal research accompanied a continuing jump in recorded damage to company, personal and public property. "
"Figures released by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has revealed that the level of intimidation posed by animal extremists reaches as far as the suppliers who do business with companies involved with animal research.
The statistics show that major increases in the number of abusive or threatening phone calls made to companies engaging in animal research accompanied a continuing jump in recorded damage to company, personal and public property. "
Right to roam in jeopardy as London walks over Holyrood / The Herald, 26 Jan 2005
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/32180.html
VICKY COLLINS and ROBBIE DINWOODIE
"THE centuries-old right of Scots to roam freely could be overturned under plans drawn up by Westminster to introduce a criminal offence of trespass in Scotland.
The Home Office wants to introduce an amendment to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill which would make trespass on a site designated by ministers a crime north of the border."
VICKY COLLINS and ROBBIE DINWOODIE
"THE centuries-old right of Scots to roam freely could be overturned under plans drawn up by Westminster to introduce a criminal offence of trespass in Scotland.
The Home Office wants to introduce an amendment to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill which would make trespass on a site designated by ministers a crime north of the border."
Terror's Server /Technology Review, Feb 2005
http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/05/02/issue/feature_terror.asp
David Talbot
"Some work is already going on in the broader battle against terrorist use of the Internet. Research labs are developing new algorithms aimed at making it easi?er for investigators to comb through e-mails and chat-room dialogue to uncover crimi?nal plots. Meanwhile, the industry?s anti-spam efforts are providing new tools for authenticating e-mail senders using cryptography and other methods, which will also help to thwart fraud; clearly, terror?ist exploitation of the Internet adds a ?national-security dimension to these efforts. The question going forward is whether the terrorist use of the medium, and the emerging responses, will help usher in an era in which the distribution of online content is more tightly controlled and tracked, for better or worse."
David Talbot
"Some work is already going on in the broader battle against terrorist use of the Internet. Research labs are developing new algorithms aimed at making it easi?er for investigators to comb through e-mails and chat-room dialogue to uncover crimi?nal plots. Meanwhile, the industry?s anti-spam efforts are providing new tools for authenticating e-mail senders using cryptography and other methods, which will also help to thwart fraud; clearly, terror?ist exploitation of the Internet adds a ?national-security dimension to these efforts. The question going forward is whether the terrorist use of the medium, and the emerging responses, will help usher in an era in which the distribution of online content is more tightly controlled and tracked, for better or worse."
CBC News: Britain eyes house arrest for terror suspects
http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/01/26/brit-terror-050126.html
"Britain plans to stop jailing terrorism suspects indefinitely without trial, instead putting them under house arrest, curfew or other restrictions. The country's top court ruled in December that it was illegal for the government to jail the 11 men indefinitely without charge.
Canada legislation similar to that thrown out by British judges has allowed authorities to lock up at least six terrorism suspects without charge. However, the Supreme Court ruled in December that the process didn't violate human rights protected by the Constitution. "
"Britain plans to stop jailing terrorism suspects indefinitely without trial, instead putting them under house arrest, curfew or other restrictions. The country's top court ruled in December that it was illegal for the government to jail the 11 men indefinitely without charge.
Canada legislation similar to that thrown out by British judges has allowed authorities to lock up at least six terrorism suspects without charge. However, the Supreme Court ruled in December that the process didn't violate human rights protected by the Constitution. "
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Violent Crime On The Increase / Sky News, 25 Jan 2005
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-13289812,00.html
"Violent crime recorded by the police in England and Wales rose 6% in the third quarter of last year, new government figures have shown.
The Home Office said that the increase reflected better reporting of low level thuggery, domestic violence and sex offences.
The figures also showed a 5% increase in the number of firearms offences in the year to September.
The total number of crimes recorded by police from July to September last year fell 6% period on period to 1,395,900."
"Violent crime recorded by the police in England and Wales rose 6% in the third quarter of last year, new government figures have shown.
The Home Office said that the increase reflected better reporting of low level thuggery, domestic violence and sex offences.
The figures also showed a 5% increase in the number of firearms offences in the year to September.
The total number of crimes recorded by police from July to September last year fell 6% period on period to 1,395,900."
Police Chief''s Desk Reference (PDF; 5.1 MB) [USA]
http://www.theiacp.org/research/PCDR.pdf
"'This Police Chiefs Desk Reference (PCDR)...was designed with the new chief in mind and contains a wealth of resources to assist you in your new role as a police executive. Police chiefs from around the country who share a desire to pass along their knowledge and experience with their peers contributed many of the writings.... Chapters are included on leadership, ethics, policies and procedures, accreditation, and funding. Also included are sample internal and community surveys as well as best practices guides written specifically for smaller agencies on a wide range of topics. It also contains information about state associations of chiefs of police and many other resource listings, summaries, and Web site referrals.'"
"'This Police Chiefs Desk Reference (PCDR)...was designed with the new chief in mind and contains a wealth of resources to assist you in your new role as a police executive. Police chiefs from around the country who share a desire to pass along their knowledge and experience with their peers contributed many of the writings.... Chapters are included on leadership, ethics, policies and procedures, accreditation, and funding. Also included are sample internal and community surveys as well as best practices guides written specifically for smaller agencies on a wide range of topics. It also contains information about state associations of chiefs of police and many other resource listings, summaries, and Web site referrals.'"
Picasa 2 from GOOGLE
http://www.picasa.com/
A free software download from Google.
Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized.
A free software download from Google.
Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized.
Postponed execution tests a region's views on crime | The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Jan 2005
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0125/p02s02-usju.html?s=hns
Sara B Miller
"A federal judge in Connecticut said Monday he will order a postponement of the execution of serial killer Michael Ross, who had been scheduled to be put to death at 2:01 a.m. Jan. 26.
It would have marked the first use of the death penalty in New England in 45 years - and has revived debate over capital punishment in a region where it runs against the political grain."
Sara B Miller
"A federal judge in Connecticut said Monday he will order a postponement of the execution of serial killer Michael Ross, who had been scheduled to be put to death at 2:01 a.m. Jan. 26.
It would have marked the first use of the death penalty in New England in 45 years - and has revived debate over capital punishment in a region where it runs against the political grain."
Phishing Activity Trends Report December, 2004
http://antiphishing.org/APWG%20Phishing%20Activity%20Report%20-%20December%202004.pdf
"Phishing is a form of online identity theft that uses spoofed emails designed to lure recipients to fraudulent websites
which attempt to trick them into divulging personal financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames
and passwords, social security numbers, etc. By hijacking the trusted brands of well-known banks, online retailers
and credit card companies, data suggests that phishers are able to convince recipients to respond to them. As a
result of these scams, an increasing number of consumers are suffering credit card fraud, identity theft, and financial
loss."
"Phishing is a form of online identity theft that uses spoofed emails designed to lure recipients to fraudulent websites
which attempt to trick them into divulging personal financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames
and passwords, social security numbers, etc. By hijacking the trusted brands of well-known banks, online retailers
and credit card companies, data suggests that phishers are able to convince recipients to respond to them. As a
result of these scams, an increasing number of consumers are suffering credit card fraud, identity theft, and financial
loss."
Asylum seeke numbers drop to 20-year low / Expatica Germany, 24 Jan 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=52&story_id=16085&name=Asylum+seekers+drop+to+20-year+low
"The number of foreigners applying for political asylum in Germany totalled 35,607 in 2004, the lowest number in 20 years, Interior Minister Otto Schily said.
The figure was down some 30 percent from the 50,563 asylum- seekers registered in 2003. Most of those seeking asylum were from Turkey."
"The number of foreigners applying for political asylum in Germany totalled 35,607 in 2004, the lowest number in 20 years, Interior Minister Otto Schily said.
The figure was down some 30 percent from the 50,563 asylum- seekers registered in 2003. Most of those seeking asylum were from Turkey."
Record Immigration Is Changing the Face of New York's Neighborhoods / [USA] The New York Times , 24 Jan 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/24/nyregion/24immigrant.html?oref=login
Nina Bernstein
"The immigrants who remade New York in the 1990's are now indelibly shaping its future, according to new city figures showing that 6 in 10 babies born in the city since 2000 have at least one foreign-born parent. The foreign-born groups growing fastest through immigration, including Mexicans, Guyanese and Bangladeshis, also have among the highest birthrates, the figures show. "
Nina Bernstein
"The immigrants who remade New York in the 1990's are now indelibly shaping its future, according to new city figures showing that 6 in 10 babies born in the city since 2000 have at least one foreign-born parent. The foreign-born groups growing fastest through immigration, including Mexicans, Guyanese and Bangladeshis, also have among the highest birthrates, the figures show. "
Canada's Immigration system needs overhaul: MP Andrew Telegdi / [Canada] The Hill Times, 24 Jan 2005
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=/2005/january/24/gordian_knot/&c=1
Paco Francoli
"Canada's new federal Immigration Minister Joe Volpe: 'Where do we go to handle this Gordian knot?'
Liberal MP Andrew Telegdi says the country's immigration law badly needs reform and that, until that day comes, the political pressures on Canada's immigration ministers to grant special ministerial visas requested by MPs and constituents are only bound to get more intense. "
Paco Francoli
"Canada's new federal Immigration Minister Joe Volpe: 'Where do we go to handle this Gordian knot?'
Liberal MP Andrew Telegdi says the country's immigration law badly needs reform and that, until that day comes, the political pressures on Canada's immigration ministers to grant special ministerial visas requested by MPs and constituents are only bound to get more intense. "
It is not vulgar to worry about immigration / Telegraph, 24 Jan 2005
http://www.opinion.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2005/01/24/dl2401.xml&sSheet=/opinion/2005/01/24/ixopinion.html
"If the opinion polls are unequivocal about one subject, it is immigration. Declared supporters of all three parties put it at or near the top of their concerns, as do floating voters. Almost without exception, they think that Britain is overcrowded, that our asylum rules are being flouted and that the weakness of our frontier checks is a security risk. This being so, one would have thought that all a politician need do in order to win elections is to align himself with the public mood."
"If the opinion polls are unequivocal about one subject, it is immigration. Declared supporters of all three parties put it at or near the top of their concerns, as do floating voters. Almost without exception, they think that Britain is overcrowded, that our asylum rules are being flouted and that the weakness of our frontier checks is a security risk. This being so, one would have thought that all a politician need do in order to win elections is to align himself with the public mood."
Criminals can deduct costs of crime / Expatica Netherlands, 24 Jan 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=1&story_id=16110&name=Criminals+can+deduct+costs+of+crime
"The costs must have a direct relationship to the criminal offence, and be costs that a criminal otherwise would not have incurred. 'A second condition is that the criminal offence must be carried out.' "
"The costs must have a direct relationship to the criminal offence, and be costs that a criminal otherwise would not have incurred. 'A second condition is that the criminal offence must be carried out.' "
Stop L.A.'s Crime Engine / [USA] LA Times, 23 Jan 2005
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/sunday/commentary/la-op-cop23jan23,1,6236604.story?coll=la-sunday-commentary&ctrack=3&cset=true
Joe Domanick - Senior Fellow in Criminal Justice at USC Annenberg's Institute for Justice and Journalism
"Prison and parole policies only make the streets more dangerous. A fixation on arrest and crime statistics to gauge police effectiveness is standard in law enforcement — and politics. But the question police chiefs should be asking is what strategies will both prevent crime, short-term and long-term, and help stabilize L.A.'s communities."
Joe Domanick - Senior Fellow in Criminal Justice at USC Annenberg's Institute for Justice and Journalism
"Prison and parole policies only make the streets more dangerous. A fixation on arrest and crime statistics to gauge police effectiveness is standard in law enforcement — and politics. But the question police chiefs should be asking is what strategies will both prevent crime, short-term and long-term, and help stabilize L.A.'s communities."
Mental Health Court provides help, tough love / [USA]The Charleston Gazette, 23 Jan 2005
The Charleston Gazette - News:
Scott Finn
"Last year, more than 10,000 people in the state's regional jails received mental-health treatment. That's more than one in every four inmates. Last year, in the state's prisons, about 500 people at any given time were taking drugs to treat mental illness. After years ignoring the problem, lawmakers are beginning to recognize the value of mental-health treatment for offenders.
In October, Congress passed the bipartisan Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act. It provides $50 million to programs that help the mentally ill in the court system, such as the mental-health court."
Scott Finn
"Last year, more than 10,000 people in the state's regional jails received mental-health treatment. That's more than one in every four inmates. Last year, in the state's prisons, about 500 people at any given time were taking drugs to treat mental illness. After years ignoring the problem, lawmakers are beginning to recognize the value of mental-health treatment for offenders.
In October, Congress passed the bipartisan Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act. It provides $50 million to programs that help the mentally ill in the court system, such as the mental-health court."
Police Accountability / [South Africa] David Bruce and Racheld Neild, 2005
http://www.policeaccountability.co.za/File_Uploads/docs/File_Download.asp?ThisFile=handbook.pdf
"The aim of the handbook is to highlight information that informs the debate around police and policing. The handbook explores police oversight and the use of indicators in assessing policing and holding the police accountable; discusses the term "democratic policing" and identifies five key areas of concern relating to democratic policing and relevant to evaluating police agencies; identifies key measures to evaluate police performance and puts forward suggestions for improving indicators for democratic policing in South Africa as well as indicators to evaluate police services in relation to each of the key measures."
"The aim of the handbook is to highlight information that informs the debate around police and policing. The handbook explores police oversight and the use of indicators in assessing policing and holding the police accountable; discusses the term "democratic policing" and identifies five key areas of concern relating to democratic policing and relevant to evaluating police agencies; identifies key measures to evaluate police performance and puts forward suggestions for improving indicators for democratic policing in South Africa as well as indicators to evaluate police services in relation to each of the key measures."
Transparency and Accountability of of Police Forces, Security Services / David Greenwood & Sander Huisman (eds.)
http://www.dcaf.ch/publications/e-publications/Transparency_police/contents.html
""This study is a contribution to the literature on transparency and accountability in the running of non-military security-sector organisations. It is exploratory in nature and limited in scope. It comprises accounts of policy and practice in just seven states- Bulgaria, France, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom and the United States - written to order - by knowledgeable experts from those countries, plus observations on these essays that highlight general issues and offer comparative perspectives".
""This study is a contribution to the literature on transparency and accountability in the running of non-military security-sector organisations. It is exploratory in nature and limited in scope. It comprises accounts of policy and practice in just seven states- Bulgaria, France, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom and the United States - written to order - by knowledgeable experts from those countries, plus observations on these essays that highlight general issues and offer comparative perspectives".
Police budget battle looming / The toronto Star., 24 Jan 2005
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1106522706423&call_pageid=970599119419
Catherine Porter
"The police budget costs Toronto taxpayers more than the fire service, public health, parks and recreation, roads and traffic lights combined. But the Police Board Chair is taking a different tack. "Ninety-three per cent of the budget is untouchable?" she says, incredulously. "That's nonsense." She plans to find savings there, not by cutting staff but by reorganizing how they work. Here are some of her ideas."
Catherine Porter
"The police budget costs Toronto taxpayers more than the fire service, public health, parks and recreation, roads and traffic lights combined. But the Police Board Chair is taking a different tack. "Ninety-three per cent of the budget is untouchable?" she says, incredulously. "That's nonsense." She plans to find savings there, not by cutting staff but by reorganizing how they work. Here are some of her ideas."
TASER Energy Weapons in the [US] News / Defense from terror, 23 Jan 2005
http://www.pressbox.co.uk/Detailed/22905.html
The legal concerns usually raised regarding the TASER conducted energy weapon generally fall into two categories: 1. What are the legal restrictions on the use of a TASER conducted energy weapon; and 2. What is the impact of a TASER conducted energy weapon on legal liability in a use of force incident. The purpose of this Memorandum of Law is to address these issues in the context of U.S. Federal and State regulations and case law.
The legal concerns usually raised regarding the TASER conducted energy weapon generally fall into two categories: 1. What are the legal restrictions on the use of a TASER conducted energy weapon; and 2. What is the impact of a TASER conducted energy weapon on legal liability in a use of force incident. The purpose of this Memorandum of Law is to address these issues in the context of U.S. Federal and State regulations and case law.
Community Policing: the Israeli Experience / allAfrica.com: Nigeria [opinion], 23 Jan 2005
http://allafrica.com/stories/200501240212.html
Tony Obiechina
"To the ordinary Nigerian citizen, who may not have had the opportunity of experiencing community policing as being done in developed countries, the introduction of the system in Nigeria may make little or no impact on police-people relationship considering the speed with which new and laudable policies die as soon as they make their debut. However, a peep into the Israeli experience of community policing which was introduced only a decade ago will give an insight into the modus operandi of the system and also the merits."
Tony Obiechina
"To the ordinary Nigerian citizen, who may not have had the opportunity of experiencing community policing as being done in developed countries, the introduction of the system in Nigeria may make little or no impact on police-people relationship considering the speed with which new and laudable policies die as soon as they make their debut. However, a peep into the Israeli experience of community policing which was introduced only a decade ago will give an insight into the modus operandi of the system and also the merits."
EDITORIAL: Tracking sex-crime offenders / The Japan Times Online, 24 Jan 2005
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/geted.pl5?ed20050124a1.htm
"The Justice Ministry, concerned about the growing incidence of sex offenses against children, is set to launch a tracking system for convicted sex criminals, perhaps by the end of March. The idea is to try to reduce the possibility of their repeating similar offenses by having them keep the National Police Agency (NPA) informed of their home addresses from the time they are released from prison. The police will be prohibited from disclosing such information.
The system represents a step in the right direction, although details have yet to be worked out. There is serious concern, however, that unless it is strictly managed the system could deter the rehabilitation of released convicts and violate their human rights."
"The Justice Ministry, concerned about the growing incidence of sex offenses against children, is set to launch a tracking system for convicted sex criminals, perhaps by the end of March. The idea is to try to reduce the possibility of their repeating similar offenses by having them keep the National Police Agency (NPA) informed of their home addresses from the time they are released from prison. The police will be prohibited from disclosing such information.
The system represents a step in the right direction, although details have yet to be worked out. There is serious concern, however, that unless it is strictly managed the system could deter the rehabilitation of released convicts and violate their human rights."
Neighbourhood Policing Teams / West Yorkshire Police: Jan 2005
http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/section-item.asp?sid=45&iid=1182
"Neighbourhood Policing is not Community Policing re-badged. Rather than individual officers being expected to deal with community problems, that process will now become the responsibility of a team approach.
Dedicated teams will be tasked to deal with the issues that can make a real difference to the quality of life in our communities. These teams will be our pro-active problem-solvers, who in simple terms, will be tasked with our partners to bring about lasting solutions. It may be by arresting the drug dealers or dealing with the anti-social behaviour issues and other problems etc. "
FAQs - http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/section-item.asp?sid=45&iid=1182
"Neighbourhood Policing is not Community Policing re-badged. Rather than individual officers being expected to deal with community problems, that process will now become the responsibility of a team approach.
Dedicated teams will be tasked to deal with the issues that can make a real difference to the quality of life in our communities. These teams will be our pro-active problem-solvers, who in simple terms, will be tasked with our partners to bring about lasting solutions. It may be by arresting the drug dealers or dealing with the anti-social behaviour issues and other problems etc. "
FAQs - http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/section-item.asp?sid=45&iid=1182
'Values define Europe, not borders' / Europa, 24 Jan 2005
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/32&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Speech by Mr Olli Rehn
Member of the European Commission, responsible for Enlargement
Speech by Mr Olli Rehn
Member of the European Commission, responsible for Enlargement
The Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council / [USA]
http://www.reentrypolicy.org/report-index.html
"Each year, nearly 650,000 people are released from US prisons, and over 7 million are released from jails; the vast majority will be rearrested within 3 years. In its groundbreaking report, the Re-Entry Policy Council offers hundreds of consensus-based, bipartisan recommendations for reducing public spending and increasing public safety by promoting the safe and successful return of these individuals to the community."
"Each year, nearly 650,000 people are released from US prisons, and over 7 million are released from jails; the vast majority will be rearrested within 3 years. In its groundbreaking report, the Re-Entry Policy Council offers hundreds of consensus-based, bipartisan recommendations for reducing public spending and increasing public safety by promoting the safe and successful return of these individuals to the community."
EDITORIAL: Help criminals rejoin mainstream / Wisconsin State Journal, 25 Jan 2005
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/opinion/index.php?ntid=25783&ntpid=0
"Recent task force recommendations urge the nation to pay more attention to prisoner re-entry issues. The Re-entry Policy Council of 100 national experts says that first, prisons must do a better job of preparing prison inmates for freedom.
Then, local government and agencies must play a bigger and better coordinated role in helping ex- offenders adapt especially because many go home to troubled neighborhoods where they can be recaptured by crime, drugs and vice. Counties, which oversee social services, need more money to develop cost-effective local programs to help offenders find a place in the community."
Phil Brinkman spent six months unearthing the facts on prison costs and effectiveness. He asked state leaders and taxpayers for possible solutions to this extremely complex challenge.
"Conning Ourselves" http://www.madison.com/wsj/spe/prison/
"Recent task force recommendations urge the nation to pay more attention to prisoner re-entry issues. The Re-entry Policy Council of 100 national experts says that first, prisons must do a better job of preparing prison inmates for freedom.
Then, local government and agencies must play a bigger and better coordinated role in helping ex- offenders adapt especially because many go home to troubled neighborhoods where they can be recaptured by crime, drugs and vice. Counties, which oversee social services, need more money to develop cost-effective local programs to help offenders find a place in the community."
Phil Brinkman spent six months unearthing the facts on prison costs and effectiveness. He asked state leaders and taxpayers for possible solutions to this extremely complex challenge.
"Conning Ourselves" http://www.madison.com/wsj/spe/prison/
Record number of asylum-seekers entered Finland last year / Helsingin Sanomat, 25 Jan 2005
http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi/english/article/1101978347168
"A record number of foreign nationals, 3,651 in all, sought asylum in Finland last year. Over 3,400 applications were turned down
According to Directorate of Immigration (UVI) preliminary figures, the number of applications exceeded the previous year's figure by 13 percent, or 430 cases.
Finland's overall number of asylum-seekers is still relatively small compared to many other western countries. "
"A record number of foreign nationals, 3,651 in all, sought asylum in Finland last year. Over 3,400 applications were turned down
According to Directorate of Immigration (UVI) preliminary figures, the number of applications exceeded the previous year's figure by 13 percent, or 430 cases.
Finland's overall number of asylum-seekers is still relatively small compared to many other western countries. "
Monday, January 24, 2005
XHIBIT goes live in Essex Crown Courts to track cases for victims & witnesses / PublicTechnology, 24 Jan 2005
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2338
"XHIBIT, a £20 million project now being introduced into 101 Crown Court sites across England and Wales cuts the time victims and witnesses, including police officers, spend waiting to give evidence in court and could save 80,000 police days every year.
Victims can now be called to court via text message and can track court hearings online via the Internet. Public display screens in the court building will also feature the latest case status. "
"XHIBIT, a £20 million project now being introduced into 101 Crown Court sites across England and Wales cuts the time victims and witnesses, including police officers, spend waiting to give evidence in court and could save 80,000 police days every year.
Victims can now be called to court via text message and can track court hearings online via the Internet. Public display screens in the court building will also feature the latest case status. "
Sunday, January 23, 2005
More use of force since Tasers / [USA] The Cincinnati Post, 21 Jan 2005
http://www.cincypost.com/2005/01/22/ohtasers012205.html
Kevin Osborne
"As Cincinnati officials debate prohibiting local police from using Tasers on children younger than 10, statistics indicate police are more likely to resort to force since adding the electrical stun guns to their arsenal.
In fact, since Tasers were given to Cincinnati police beginning in December 2003, use of force incidents reported by officers have increased. "
Kevin Osborne
"As Cincinnati officials debate prohibiting local police from using Tasers on children younger than 10, statistics indicate police are more likely to resort to force since adding the electrical stun guns to their arsenal.
In fact, since Tasers were given to Cincinnati police beginning in December 2003, use of force incidents reported by officers have increased. "
Zimbabwe: The terror and abuse goes on / South Africa - Mail & Guardian Online, 23 Jan 2005
http://www.mg.co.za/articledirect.aspx?area=mg_flat&articleid=195515
"A Zimbabwe government spokesperson hung up the phone when asked to comment on allegations of torture by youth militia, police and other state agents.
The government has previously denied torturing its critics.
Lawyers, doctors and Zimbabwean exiles involved in the asylum process in the UK also claim that the British Home Office is ignoring prima facie cases of torture and repatriating exiles who will face further maltreatment on their return. "
"A Zimbabwe government spokesperson hung up the phone when asked to comment on allegations of torture by youth militia, police and other state agents.
The government has previously denied torturing its critics.
Lawyers, doctors and Zimbabwean exiles involved in the asylum process in the UK also claim that the British Home Office is ignoring prima facie cases of torture and repatriating exiles who will face further maltreatment on their return. "
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Officers to ignore burglar alarms, save about $600,000 a year / ~~~San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Jan 2005
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/01/21/BAG74AU3GU1.DTL
Henry K Lee
"Under the policy, police won't respond to burglar alarms unless a resident, property owner or alarm company employee can show evidence that a crime occurred, such as glass breakage or seeing a suspicious person. Officers, however, will still respond to panic, duress and robbery alarms. "
Henry K Lee
"Under the policy, police won't respond to burglar alarms unless a resident, property owner or alarm company employee can show evidence that a crime occurred, such as glass breakage or seeing a suspicious person. Officers, however, will still respond to panic, duress and robbery alarms. "
Taser to Increase Stun Gun's Power | Reuters.com, 21 Jan 2005
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=7389443
"Taser International Inc. has warned police departments that its newest electric stun gun recently failed to subdue some suspects, and it will increase the power of the weapon, The New York Times reported on Friday.
The newspaper said that, according to a bulletin the company has sent to police departments, it will increase the power of the X26 by about 14 percent to make the gun more effective. "
"Taser International Inc. has warned police departments that its newest electric stun gun recently failed to subdue some suspects, and it will increase the power of the weapon, The New York Times reported on Friday.
The newspaper said that, according to a bulletin the company has sent to police departments, it will increase the power of the X26 by about 14 percent to make the gun more effective. "
Friday, January 21, 2005
National ID program in the Sultanate of Oman / Vnunet.com, 21 Jan 2005
http://www.vnunet.com/features/1160647
"The Royal Oman Police (ROP), which is the local Omani authority managing the project, made a decision to launch a smart card-based ID programme, not only to enhance the country's identification processes, but also to improve its IT infrastructure.
Main objectives of the programme were to:
Modernise the National Registry System
Simplify and speed up administrative processes
Provide better qualitative public services to Omani citizens and residents
Pave the way to e-Government services
Strengthen citizens' identification security"
"The Royal Oman Police (ROP), which is the local Omani authority managing the project, made a decision to launch a smart card-based ID programme, not only to enhance the country's identification processes, but also to improve its IT infrastructure.
Main objectives of the programme were to:
Modernise the National Registry System
Simplify and speed up administrative processes
Provide better qualitative public services to Omani citizens and residents
Pave the way to e-Government services
Strengthen citizens' identification security"
Row over 'FBI-type' agency plans / BBC News, 19 Jan 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4189941.stm
"Scottish ministers have reassured police there will be no political interference in operational matters.
The pledge comes after the announcement of plans to set up the new UK-wide Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
It will work alongside Scotland's eight forces and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Ministers want reserve powers to direct chief constables - but Scottish Police Federation spokesman Doug Keil said that is unacceptable.
The federation said it was 'hugely concerned' at what it claimed were proposals for increased ministerial powers over police. "
"Scottish ministers have reassured police there will be no political interference in operational matters.
The pledge comes after the announcement of plans to set up the new UK-wide Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
It will work alongside Scotland's eight forces and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Ministers want reserve powers to direct chief constables - but Scottish Police Federation spokesman Doug Keil said that is unacceptable.
The federation said it was 'hugely concerned' at what it claimed were proposals for increased ministerial powers over police. "
Our Crime-Fighting Revolution / [USA] The New York Sun, 20 Jan 2005
http://www.nysun.com/article/7990
Charles Upton Sahm
Everybody knows about the NYPD's breathtaking crime-fighting successes over the last decade. Less well known is that NYPD-trained police chiefs are taking over police departments across the country, bringing with them the methods that worked so well in Gotham - above all, data-driven policing - and getting similar results."
Charles Upton Sahm
Everybody knows about the NYPD's breathtaking crime-fighting successes over the last decade. Less well known is that NYPD-trained police chiefs are taking over police departments across the country, bringing with them the methods that worked so well in Gotham - above all, data-driven policing - and getting similar results."
UK.gov urged to lead fight on e-crime | The Register, 20 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/20/e-crime_study/
John Leyden
"The UK government has been urged to take the lead in fighting cybercrime. Parliamentary lobby group EURIM and think tank The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said yesterday that the UK has an historic opportunity to spearhead the international fight against cybercrime whose economic effects 'already far outstripped that of physical crime'.
�The British tradition of democratically accountable policing, the position of London as a trusted location for resolving international disputes, and the Presidency of the EU and G8 in 2005, give the UK the opportunity to bid for global leadership as the safest place to do e-business, provided we also make it the most efficient hub for enforcement and redress,� the two organisations say in a report."
Building Cybercommunities: Beating CybercrimeThe Organisation of Internet Policing : EURIM – IPPR E-Crime StudyPartnership Policing for the Information Society
Sixth Discussion Paper
http://www.eurim.org.uk/activities/ecrime/cybercommunities.doc
John Leyden
"The UK government has been urged to take the lead in fighting cybercrime. Parliamentary lobby group EURIM and think tank The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said yesterday that the UK has an historic opportunity to spearhead the international fight against cybercrime whose economic effects 'already far outstripped that of physical crime'.
�The British tradition of democratically accountable policing, the position of London as a trusted location for resolving international disputes, and the Presidency of the EU and G8 in 2005, give the UK the opportunity to bid for global leadership as the safest place to do e-business, provided we also make it the most efficient hub for enforcement and redress,� the two organisations say in a report."
Building Cybercommunities: Beating CybercrimeThe Organisation of Internet Policing : EURIM – IPPR E-Crime StudyPartnership Policing for the Information Society
Sixth Discussion Paper
http://www.eurim.org.uk/activities/ecrime/cybercommunities.doc
Government to get new and better communications network :: PublicTechnology, 21 Jan 2005
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2336
"A new professional network for Civil Service communicators linked to the Professional Skills for Government initiative and the broader aims of the Civil Service reform agenda has been unveiled. The Government Communication Network (GCN) will replace the Government Information and Communication Service, maintain and strengthen existing professional standards and, in line with the recommendations of the Phillis Review, apply these standards to all those involved in communication across government. "
"A new professional network for Civil Service communicators linked to the Professional Skills for Government initiative and the broader aims of the Civil Service reform agenda has been unveiled. The Government Communication Network (GCN) will replace the Government Information and Communication Service, maintain and strengthen existing professional standards and, in line with the recommendations of the Phillis Review, apply these standards to all those involved in communication across government. "
Keep 'closure' out of the courts / Spiked, 20 Jan 2005
http://www.spiked-online.com/articles/0000000CA885.htm
Tana Dineen
"Justice shouldn't be about helping victims of crime 'come to terms' with what happened to them. In our present therapeutic culture, we assume that, for victims, putting things behind them, even musty memories from decades ago, is part of some essential psychological healing process. So we believe that, along with financial settlements and counselling, throwing ageing ex-teachers and de-frocked priests in jail is justified because it somehow brings 'closure'."
Tana Dineen
"Justice shouldn't be about helping victims of crime 'come to terms' with what happened to them. In our present therapeutic culture, we assume that, for victims, putting things behind them, even musty memories from decades ago, is part of some essential psychological healing process. So we believe that, along with financial settlements and counselling, throwing ageing ex-teachers and de-frocked priests in jail is justified because it somehow brings 'closure'."
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Police learning to fight online crime - Computing,19 Jan 2005
http://www.computing.co.uk/news/1160625
Daniel Thomas,
"Police officers in England and Wales are to receive basic training in tackling computer and internet-related crimes.
An elearning course will be introduced later this year following calls from the Home Office to create a national 'netcrime training and delivery' programme (Computing, 16 December 2004)."
Daniel Thomas,
"Police officers in England and Wales are to receive basic training in tackling computer and internet-related crimes.
An elearning course will be introduced later this year following calls from the Home Office to create a national 'netcrime training and delivery' programme (Computing, 16 December 2004)."
UK to crack down on asylum seekers / Work Permit, 19 Jan 2005
http://www.workpermit.com/news/2005_01_19/uk/uk_crack_down_asylum_seekers.htm
"UK immigration policies are to get an overhaul to deal with false asylum seekers and terror suspects, the BBC reports.
In an interview with The Times newspaper, Britain's Home Secretary Charles Clarke outlined a five year program on asylum seekers and said he would look at all of the ways that people could get into the country. Particular attention would be paid to what sorts of dependants are allowed to come to the UK with people on work permits.
The minister also indicated that illegal entrants should be deterred."
"UK immigration policies are to get an overhaul to deal with false asylum seekers and terror suspects, the BBC reports.
In an interview with The Times newspaper, Britain's Home Secretary Charles Clarke outlined a five year program on asylum seekers and said he would look at all of the ways that people could get into the country. Particular attention would be paid to what sorts of dependants are allowed to come to the UK with people on work permits.
The minister also indicated that illegal entrants should be deterred."
Police to give cybercrime-fighting courses / ZDNet, 19 Jan 2005
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/security/0,39020375,39184697,00.htm
"A series of police seminars this year will teach businesses how to deal with e-crime - but some experts aren't happy that delegates have to pay for their places"
"A series of police seminars this year will teach businesses how to deal with e-crime - but some experts aren't happy that delegates have to pay for their places"
Pakistan outlaws 'honor' killings | The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Jan 2005
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0120/p06s01-wosc.html?s=hns
Owais Tohid
"President Pervez Musharraf signed a bill last week making honor killing an explicit criminal act punishable by death. Rights activists say it is a small step forward and that more must be done to change tribal and feudal attitudes that treat women like property."
Owais Tohid
"President Pervez Musharraf signed a bill last week making honor killing an explicit criminal act punishable by death. Rights activists say it is a small step forward and that more must be done to change tribal and feudal attitudes that treat women like property."
Home Office tackles ID fraud. By hiring one | The Register, 19 Jan 2005
John Lettice
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/19/fake_immigration_doctor/
"The Home Office has gone that extra mile to prove the true costs of identity fraud to us all - it's been conned, big-time. Confronted with a fake doctor one would ideally stride smartly off in the other direction, but in the case of fraudster Barian Baluchi the Home Office opted for funding his clinic, using him as an asylum-seeker health policy adviser and letting him be an expert witness in 1,500 immigration appeals tribunal cases.
Baluchi's earnings from his imaginative career in medicine are reported to be in the region of ?1.5 million, and of course (you can almost hear the Home Office saying this) it couldn't have happened if we'd had ID cards. "
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/19/fake_immigration_doctor/
"The Home Office has gone that extra mile to prove the true costs of identity fraud to us all - it's been conned, big-time. Confronted with a fake doctor one would ideally stride smartly off in the other direction, but in the case of fraudster Barian Baluchi the Home Office opted for funding his clinic, using him as an asylum-seeker health policy adviser and letting him be an expert witness in 1,500 immigration appeals tribunal cases.
Baluchi's earnings from his imaginative career in medicine are reported to be in the region of ?1.5 million, and of course (you can almost hear the Home Office saying this) it couldn't have happened if we'd had ID cards. "
UK gov ready to u-turn on passport-ID card link? | The Register, 19 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/19/browne_biometric_passports/
John Lettice
"As the UK's ID cards bill charges through Parliament, signs are starting to emerge that the Home Office's dubious packaging plans might be coming apart at the seams. Asked earlier this week to provide a timescale for the addition of fingerprints and iris scans to passports, Immigration Minister Des Browne said a decision had yet to be made, and seemed to leave scope for this never happening.
Slight scope - Europe is currently committed to the mandatory inclusion of facial and fingerprint biometrics on passports, and while dab-happy Britain isn't being allowed to play with that trainset directly, we're still very enthusiastic about it all. "
John Lettice
"As the UK's ID cards bill charges through Parliament, signs are starting to emerge that the Home Office's dubious packaging plans might be coming apart at the seams. Asked earlier this week to provide a timescale for the addition of fingerprints and iris scans to passports, Immigration Minister Des Browne said a decision had yet to be made, and seemed to leave scope for this never happening.
Slight scope - Europe is currently committed to the mandatory inclusion of facial and fingerprint biometrics on passports, and while dab-happy Britain isn't being allowed to play with that trainset directly, we're still very enthusiastic about it all. "
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Report Faults Md. Ballistics Database / [USA] Washington Post, 18 Jan 2005
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16475-2005Jan17.html?sub=AR
David Snyder
A Maryland law requiring state police to collect ballistics data on every handgun sold in the state is ineffective and expensive and should be repealed, according to a report by the Maryland State Police. Police have gathered information from more than 43,000 guns since the law was adopted in 2000, but the data have not significantly aided a single criminal investigation, according to the report. The study was compiled last year by the state police forensic sciences division and distributed to state legislators late last week. "It's not yielding any results," said Sgt. Rob Moroney, a state police spokesman. "The program simply has not met expectations and does not aid in the mission statement of the department of police."
David Snyder
A Maryland law requiring state police to collect ballistics data on every handgun sold in the state is ineffective and expensive and should be repealed, according to a report by the Maryland State Police. Police have gathered information from more than 43,000 guns since the law was adopted in 2000, but the data have not significantly aided a single criminal investigation, according to the report. The study was compiled last year by the state police forensic sciences division and distributed to state legislators late last week. "It's not yielding any results," said Sgt. Rob Moroney, a state police spokesman. "The program simply has not met expectations and does not aid in the mission statement of the department of police."
Organised crime groups diversify their activities into several crime areas / Europol, Jan 2005
http://www.europol.eu.int/index.asp?page=news&news=pr050107.htm
The 2004 European Union Organised Crime Report issued by the European Police Office, Europol, contains the most significant trends with regard to organised crime at a European level, and it gives a short overview on the current criminal situation and trends in the Member States.
PDF - http://www.europol.eu.int/publications/EUOrganisedCrimeSitRep/2004/EUOrganisedCrimeSitRep2004.pdf
The 2004 European Union Organised Crime Report issued by the European Police Office, Europol, contains the most significant trends with regard to organised crime at a European level, and it gives a short overview on the current criminal situation and trends in the Member States.
PDF - http://www.europol.eu.int/publications/EUOrganisedCrimeSitRep/2004/EUOrganisedCrimeSitRep2004.pdf
Police will be able to fingerprint suspects using roadside scanners under new Bill / The Indpendent, 18 Jan 2005
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=601968
People suspected of crimes would be forced to give their fingerprints to police using roadside scanners under new rules planned by the Home Office. Tiny electronic fingerprint scanners that are being adopted by the police can identify known criminals in minutes.
Anyone suspected of a crime and without good identification would have to place their forefingers on the devices, linking to the records of nearly six million offenders and suspects.
People suspected of crimes would be forced to give their fingerprints to police using roadside scanners under new rules planned by the Home Office. Tiny electronic fingerprint scanners that are being adopted by the police can identify known criminals in minutes.
Anyone suspected of a crime and without good identification would have to place their forefingers on the devices, linking to the records of nearly six million offenders and suspects.
Civilians to process prisoners / The Times 18 Jan 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8164-1443385,00.html
POLICE fear that the backs of their vans could become mobile custody suites if proposals to reform the job of custody sergeant become law.
The plans, which are part of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill, would mean that civilians would be responsible for the care and custody of prisoners
POLICE fear that the backs of their vans could become mobile custody suites if proposals to reform the job of custody sergeant become law.
The plans, which are part of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill, would mean that civilians would be responsible for the care and custody of prisoners
Recidivism Legislation Could Include Addiction Services / Join Together, 18 Jan 2005
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0%2C1854%2C575701%2C00.html
Seeking to cut prison costs by curbing recidivism, Congressional leaders are working on legislation that could provide grants for delivering healthcare and other services to ex-offenders. The bipartisan effort was bolstered both by the recent Supreme Court ruling against mandatory minimum sentences and a new government report showing that 70 percent of the 650,000 people released from jails and prisons annually commit new crimes during the three years following their release.
Seeking to cut prison costs by curbing recidivism, Congressional leaders are working on legislation that could provide grants for delivering healthcare and other services to ex-offenders. The bipartisan effort was bolstered both by the recent Supreme Court ruling against mandatory minimum sentences and a new government report showing that 70 percent of the 650,000 people released from jails and prisons annually commit new crimes during the three years following their release.
Biological attack likely by 2020, report warns / GovExec, Jan 2005
http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0105/011405gsn2.htm
Mike Nartker, Global Security Newswire
A terrorist group is "likely" to conduct an attack using biological weapons by 2020, according to a report released Thursday by a CIA think tank.
Over the next 15 years, successes in the global war on terrorism and advances in information technology are likely to result in an increasingly "decentralized" terrorist threat, consisting of an "eclectic array of groups, cells and individuals," says the report, prepared by the National Intelligence Council.
While influenced by al-Qaeda, such smaller groups are expected to overshadow the terrorist organization by 2020 and could recruit new members through the war in Iraq and other possible conflicts, the report says.
Mapping the Global Future : Report of the National Intelligence Council's 2020 Project
http://www.cia.gov/nic/NIC_globaltrend2020_s4.html
Mike Nartker, Global Security Newswire
A terrorist group is "likely" to conduct an attack using biological weapons by 2020, according to a report released Thursday by a CIA think tank.
Over the next 15 years, successes in the global war on terrorism and advances in information technology are likely to result in an increasingly "decentralized" terrorist threat, consisting of an "eclectic array of groups, cells and individuals," says the report, prepared by the National Intelligence Council.
While influenced by al-Qaeda, such smaller groups are expected to overshadow the terrorist organization by 2020 and could recruit new members through the war in Iraq and other possible conflicts, the report says.
Mapping the Global Future : Report of the National Intelligence Council's 2020 Project
http://www.cia.gov/nic/NIC_globaltrend2020_s4.html
Incitement to religious hatred: Growing disagreement between Christians / Ekklesia, 19 Jan 2005
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_050118hatred.shtml
A statement by church leaders has highlighted a widening gap between Christians over government proposals to legislate against incitement to religious hatred. The Anglican Bishop of Beverley Martyn Jarrett and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Southwark Kevin McDonald, are amongst church big hitters who have today released a joint statement welcoming the Government's move which is designed to control extremists who incite religious hatred.
A statement by church leaders has highlighted a widening gap between Christians over government proposals to legislate against incitement to religious hatred. The Anglican Bishop of Beverley Martyn Jarrett and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Southwark Kevin McDonald, are amongst church big hitters who have today released a joint statement welcoming the Government's move which is designed to control extremists who incite religious hatred.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Immigration: Has the backlash started? / Expatica , 18 Jan 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=81&story_id=3599&name=Immigration%3A+Has+the+backlash+started%3F
Graham Keeley
"In the wake of the latest controversy over racist chants at the Madrid football derby, commentators claim Spanish society is attempting to come to terms with an immigrant population which has quadrupled in the past five years. Gives an overview of immigration in Spain."
Graham Keeley
"In the wake of the latest controversy over racist chants at the Madrid football derby, commentators claim Spanish society is attempting to come to terms with an immigrant population which has quadrupled in the past five years. Gives an overview of immigration in Spain."
Restraint of asylum young criticised / Guardian, 17 Jan 2005
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,11026,1391998,00.html
Diane Taylor and Hugh Muir
"Anti-deportation campaigners yesterday strongly criticised a Home Office document advising immigration officers on the use of 'control and restraint' techniques in deporting asylum seeker children from the UK.
Amid government promises to speed up the deportation of 'overstayers' and failed asylum seekers, and plans, for the first time, to deport unaccompanied child asylum seekers, officers are being schooled in the more controversial aspects of removing children with their parents from the UK.
Officials are being told that any immigration service official involved in such removals must be given training in control and restraint procedures and must have skills in paediatric emergency life saving. "
Diane Taylor and Hugh Muir
"Anti-deportation campaigners yesterday strongly criticised a Home Office document advising immigration officers on the use of 'control and restraint' techniques in deporting asylum seeker children from the UK.
Amid government promises to speed up the deportation of 'overstayers' and failed asylum seekers, and plans, for the first time, to deport unaccompanied child asylum seekers, officers are being schooled in the more controversial aspects of removing children with their parents from the UK.
Officials are being told that any immigration service official involved in such removals must be given training in control and restraint procedures and must have skills in paediatric emergency life saving. "
The mentally ill in prison / [USA] International Herald Tribune, 18 Jan 2005
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/17/opinion/edprison.html
"Mentally ill inmates who are dumped onto the streets without access to care drive up incarceration costs by going back to jail again and again. The smarter approach would be to ensure that eligible inmates had disability and Medicaid benefits in hand before they left jail. Setting up the new administrative process might not be easy, but it would more than pay for itself down the line."
"Mentally ill inmates who are dumped onto the streets without access to care drive up incarceration costs by going back to jail again and again. The smarter approach would be to ensure that eligible inmates had disability and Medicaid benefits in hand before they left jail. Setting up the new administrative process might not be easy, but it would more than pay for itself down the line."
Call centre operation to handle anti-social behaviour reports in 25 areas ' PublicTechnology, 18 Jan 2005
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2323
"A new dedicated phone line and call centre system for the public to report anti-social behaviour was launched by Home Office minister, Hazel Blears, yesterday.
The It's Your Call phone line, launched in the North East, will be available in 25 specially appointed TOGETHER action areas around the country. The actionline will be introduced in each of the areas over the next six weeks. Local people in these areas are being asked to report the problems they see in their neighbourhoods, from graffiti to abandoned cars and nuisance neighbours.
Posters and phone boxes promoting the actionline number - 0845 605 2222 - will be displayed throughout participating areas and residents will receive flyers through their letterboxes. After complaints have been dealt with, feedback cards explaining the action taken will be delivered to houses in the neighbourhood. "
"A new dedicated phone line and call centre system for the public to report anti-social behaviour was launched by Home Office minister, Hazel Blears, yesterday.
The It's Your Call phone line, launched in the North East, will be available in 25 specially appointed TOGETHER action areas around the country. The actionline will be introduced in each of the areas over the next six weeks. Local people in these areas are being asked to report the problems they see in their neighbourhoods, from graffiti to abandoned cars and nuisance neighbours.
Posters and phone boxes promoting the actionline number - 0845 605 2222 - will be displayed throughout participating areas and residents will receive flyers through their letterboxes. After complaints have been dealt with, feedback cards explaining the action taken will be delivered to houses in the neighbourhood. "
Livingstone calls on Met chief for zero tolerance policing / Financial Times, 17 Jan 2005
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/84356f94-682c-11d9-a11e-00000e2511c8.html
Roger Blitz
"Ken Livingstone hascalled on the incomingMetropolitan police commissioner to introduce zero tolerancepolicing to London, making clear his desire to influence police operations in the capital.
Speaking at the annual London government dinner at Mansion House, the mayor of London said that it was time for the police to target minor offences, such as spitting in the street and littering."
Roger Blitz
"Ken Livingstone hascalled on the incomingMetropolitan police commissioner to introduce zero tolerancepolicing to London, making clear his desire to influence police operations in the capital.
Speaking at the annual London government dinner at Mansion House, the mayor of London said that it was time for the police to target minor offences, such as spitting in the street and littering."
Monday, January 17, 2005
AIVD sets up intelligence / Expatica Netherlands, 14 Jan 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=13&story_id=15796&name=AIVD+sets+up+posts+in+Islamic+countries
"The Dutch security service AIVD is to set up liaison offices in Muslim countries that play an important role in international terrorism.
The offices will be based in the local Dutch embassy and AIVD staff will liaise with their local counterparts to gather and exchange Intelligence, the AIVD has confirmed.
An AIVD spokesperson told newspaper De Telegraaf on Friday the posts would be set up in Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Pakistan."
"The Dutch security service AIVD is to set up liaison offices in Muslim countries that play an important role in international terrorism.
The offices will be based in the local Dutch embassy and AIVD staff will liaise with their local counterparts to gather and exchange Intelligence, the AIVD has confirmed.
An AIVD spokesperson told newspaper De Telegraaf on Friday the posts would be set up in Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Pakistan."
Schiphol to pilot biometric passport for US / Expatica Netherlands, 14 Jan 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=13&story_id=15795&name=Schiphol+to+pilot+biometric+passport+for+US in English:
"Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam has been chosen to test a new biometric passport which will allow frequent flyers to JKF in New York to get through security checks fast. If successful, the US authorities hope other European countries will seek to apply the scheme. It is based on systems used on domestic flights in the US."
"Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam has been chosen to test a new biometric passport which will allow frequent flyers to JKF in New York to get through security checks fast. If successful, the US authorities hope other European countries will seek to apply the scheme. It is based on systems used on domestic flights in the US."
EU considers introduction of 'green card' plan / Expatica Netherlands, 12 Jan 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=13&story_id=15691&name=EU+considers+introduction+of+%27green+card%27+plan
"The European Union could launch a 'green card' system to attract expats with special skills into the bloc, it was revealed.
Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini told reporters permanent work visas based on 'the American model' is one of the options the EU is considering as part of a plan to get EU members to agree on immigration rules, the Associated Press reported.
The move is part of a European Commission plan to stimulate public debate on the need to develop a comprehensive EU strategy to manage economic migration."
"The European Union could launch a 'green card' system to attract expats with special skills into the bloc, it was revealed.
Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini told reporters permanent work visas based on 'the American model' is one of the options the EU is considering as part of a plan to get EU members to agree on immigration rules, the Associated Press reported.
The move is part of a European Commission plan to stimulate public debate on the need to develop a comprehensive EU strategy to manage economic migration."
Criminals who 'grass' to get out of jail early / Sunday Herald, 16 Jan 2005
http://www.sundayherald.com/47162
"CONTROVERSIAL plans to reduce the sentences of convicted criminals if they testify against major underworld associates are to be unveiled by Scottish ministers.
The move, which is to be included in proposals for the Police Bill later this month, is being heralded by the Executive as a powerful additional weapon in the fight against serious organised crime.
The revelation has sparked concern among victims? groups and the legal profession. But the plan to give more criminals incentives to become ?supergrasses? was defended by justice minister Cathy Jamieson, who said new formal powers would increase prosecutions against ?some of the most evil people in society ? drug dealers, drug traffickers, money launderers and others involved in organised criminal activity. Those who are often most adept at avoiding justice.?"
"CONTROVERSIAL plans to reduce the sentences of convicted criminals if they testify against major underworld associates are to be unveiled by Scottish ministers.
The move, which is to be included in proposals for the Police Bill later this month, is being heralded by the Executive as a powerful additional weapon in the fight against serious organised crime.
The revelation has sparked concern among victims? groups and the legal profession. But the plan to give more criminals incentives to become ?supergrasses? was defended by justice minister Cathy Jamieson, who said new formal powers would increase prosecutions against ?some of the most evil people in society ? drug dealers, drug traffickers, money launderers and others involved in organised criminal activity. Those who are often most adept at avoiding justice.?"
Police are urged to boycott FBI-style crime agency The Guardian, 16 Jan 2005
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,11026,1391605,00.html
"Police are threatening to boycott the new 'British FBI' set up to tackle gangland crime in a row over what officers claim is the creeping politicisation of the force.
The Police Federation is warning officers not to sign up for jobs with the new flagship agency, arguing that they will lose the traditional independence police officers enjoy and that their pay and conditions may be at risk. "
"Police are threatening to boycott the new 'British FBI' set up to tackle gangland crime in a row over what officers claim is the creeping politicisation of the force.
The Police Federation is warning officers not to sign up for jobs with the new flagship agency, arguing that they will lose the traditional independence police officers enjoy and that their pay and conditions may be at risk. "
L.A. Daily News - News
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~2655477,00.html
Jason Kandel
"Despite a critical shortage of manpower and the shortened work week schedule, Chief William Bratton mobilized the Los Angeles Police Department to put more cops on the streets and make more arrests last year, statistics show. The manpower shift comes from a strategy Bratton outlined when he was sworn in: Information provided by a Compstat crime-tracking system he helped devise is used to deploy officers to high-crime areas, with the goal of increasing arrests and reducing crime.
He also has replicated the "broken windows" method of fighting crime that he used when he headed the New York Police Department. Special task forces are assigned to work less-serious property crimes, such as car burglaries and auto thefts, on the theory that the criminals won't graduate to violent crime.
"
Jason Kandel
"Despite a critical shortage of manpower and the shortened work week schedule, Chief William Bratton mobilized the Los Angeles Police Department to put more cops on the streets and make more arrests last year, statistics show. The manpower shift comes from a strategy Bratton outlined when he was sworn in: Information provided by a Compstat crime-tracking system he helped devise is used to deploy officers to high-crime areas, with the goal of increasing arrests and reducing crime.
He also has replicated the "broken windows" method of fighting crime that he used when he headed the New York Police Department. Special task forces are assigned to work less-serious property crimes, such as car burglaries and auto thefts, on the theory that the criminals won't graduate to violent crime.
"
Boston street gangs master intimidation / The Seattle Times, 16 Jan 2005
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002152199_gangs16.html
"Police, prosecutors and judges say intimidation is a growing national problem of intimidation by street gangs that bears striking similarities to the way organized crime has often silenced witnesses.
'Witness intimidation has become so pervasive that it is ruining the public's faith in the criminal-justice system to protect them,' said Judge John Glynn of Baltimore City Circuit Court. 'We are not much better off than the legal system in Mexico or Colombia or some other sad places.' "
"Police, prosecutors and judges say intimidation is a growing national problem of intimidation by street gangs that bears striking similarities to the way organized crime has often silenced witnesses.
'Witness intimidation has become so pervasive that it is ruining the public's faith in the criminal-justice system to protect them,' said Judge John Glynn of Baltimore City Circuit Court. 'We are not much better off than the legal system in Mexico or Colombia or some other sad places.' "
e-Government services yield real benefits says EU / PublicTechnology, 17 Jan 2005
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2319
"A new survey of eGovernment services prepared for the European Commission has found that EU citizens are saving 7 million hours a year on the time it takes to do their income tax returns, and EU firms are saving about 10 euros per transaction on their VAT returns by doing them on line.
Moreover, there is still huge scope for further savings. "
eGovernment services yield real benefits for EU citizens and businesses - http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/41&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
"A new survey of eGovernment services prepared for the European Commission has found that EU citizens are saving 7 million hours a year on the time it takes to do their income tax returns, and EU firms are saving about 10 euros per transaction on their VAT returns by doing them on line.
Moreover, there is still huge scope for further savings. "
eGovernment services yield real benefits for EU citizens and businesses - http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/41&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Communes still wary of electronic ID cards / Expatica Belgium, 14 Jan 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=48&story_id=15786&name=Communes+still+wary+of+electronic+ID+cards+
"Belgium's bid to introduce a state-of-the-art electronic ID card throughout the country has again been criticised.
The federal government wants to issue the new cards in each and every local authority after a successful pilot scheme was introduced in 2003 in 11 communes.
The move would make Belgium one of the first EU countries to make the cards the norm."
"Belgium's bid to introduce a state-of-the-art electronic ID card throughout the country has again been criticised.
The federal government wants to issue the new cards in each and every local authority after a successful pilot scheme was introduced in 2003 in 11 communes.
The move would make Belgium one of the first EU countries to make the cards the norm."
Concern over plans for longer licensing hours / Financial times, 14 Jan 2005
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/da60d4f8-6665-11d9-8055-00000e2511c8.html
Ben Hall ; roger Blitz
"Charles Clarke is considering a levy on pubs, clubs and restaurants to finance policing in areas plagued by alcohol-related disorder. The move is strongly opposed by the drinks industry.
The home secretary met chief constables twice this week to hear their concerns about longer drinking hours under the regime which comes into effect in November. He has asked the Association of Chief Police Officers to come back with detailed 'advice'.
Acpo said the government was 'open to discussions on resources' but accepted that it had no hard evidence to suggest there would be huge demand for 24-hour licences.
Mr Clarke is yet to be convinced that the police should receive more money to cope with longer licensing hours. "
Ben Hall ; roger Blitz
"Charles Clarke is considering a levy on pubs, clubs and restaurants to finance policing in areas plagued by alcohol-related disorder. The move is strongly opposed by the drinks industry.
The home secretary met chief constables twice this week to hear their concerns about longer drinking hours under the regime which comes into effect in November. He has asked the Association of Chief Police Officers to come back with detailed 'advice'.
Acpo said the government was 'open to discussions on resources' but accepted that it had no hard evidence to suggest there would be huge demand for 24-hour licences.
Mr Clarke is yet to be convinced that the police should receive more money to cope with longer licensing hours. "
Ministers accused of "panicking" over pub levy / Politics.co, 14 Jan 2005
http://www.politics.co.uk/domestic-policy/ministers-accused-panicking-over-pub-levy-$7564805.htm
"Former Health Secretary Frank Dobson said the costs of additional policing should be met by the drinks industry and not local council tax payers.
But he accused civil servants involved in the preparation of the bill of being influenced by the drinks industry.
Licensing Minister Richard Caborn said flexible pub opening hours would help to cut crime. He also confirmed that the Government was in discussion with the industry over a voluntary levy."
"Former Health Secretary Frank Dobson said the costs of additional policing should be met by the drinks industry and not local council tax payers.
But he accused civil servants involved in the preparation of the bill of being influenced by the drinks industry.
Licensing Minister Richard Caborn said flexible pub opening hours would help to cut crime. He also confirmed that the Government was in discussion with the industry over a voluntary levy."
Car theft crackdown thought a world first / [New Zealdns] Auto News, 14 Jan 2005
http://www.just-auto.com/news_detail.asp?art=46855
"The New Zealand government has launched vehicle crime reduction programme which could be a world-leader.
The major features of the scheme are the use of whole of vehicle marking or 'DataDots' on all new and used vehicles less than 15 years old that are imported"
"The New Zealand government has launched vehicle crime reduction programme which could be a world-leader.
The major features of the scheme are the use of whole of vehicle marking or 'DataDots' on all new and used vehicles less than 15 years old that are imported"
Minister defends fines means test / BBC NEWS, 14 Jan 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4174673.stm
"The prisons minister has defended plans to make wealthier offenders pay higher fines than their poorer counterparts for the same offence.
Paul Goggins said the scheme, set out in the Management of Offenders Bill on Thursday, would make fines 'fairer'.
'It reflects both the seriousness of the offence and the ability of the person to pay,' he told BBC News."
"The prisons minister has defended plans to make wealthier offenders pay higher fines than their poorer counterparts for the same offence.
Paul Goggins said the scheme, set out in the Management of Offenders Bill on Thursday, would make fines 'fairer'.
'It reflects both the seriousness of the offence and the ability of the person to pay,' he told BBC News."
Judges are told not to jail criminals if prisons are full / The Times, 14 January 2005
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1439829,00.html
Richard Ford ; Francis gibb
"Jail sentences are to be linked to whether there are enough prison places - for the first time in British history - under government proposals that provoked outrage last night.
Judges will be expected to consider the state of prisons and the numbers already in them when deciding if a criminal should be jailed or given a community sentence. "
Richard Ford ; Francis gibb
"Jail sentences are to be linked to whether there are enough prison places - for the first time in British history - under government proposals that provoked outrage last night.
Judges will be expected to consider the state of prisons and the numbers already in them when deciding if a criminal should be jailed or given a community sentence. "
Drug testing ordered for top police officers / [Canada] The Star, 14 Jan 2005
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1105656611270&call_pageid=970599119419
Dale Ann freed
"Drug testing is a 'highly contentious matter.' It's opposed by rank-and-file and many senior officers alike.
Toronto Police Association president Dave Wilson called the plan 'an absolute intrusion on the lives of our officers' and promised the union would fight the plan. 'It will be challenged by the association at every level, into the courts and all the way,' he said."
Dale Ann freed
"Drug testing is a 'highly contentious matter.' It's opposed by rank-and-file and many senior officers alike.
Toronto Police Association president Dave Wilson called the plan 'an absolute intrusion on the lives of our officers' and promised the union would fight the plan. 'It will be challenged by the association at every level, into the courts and all the way,' he said."
Crusing / [USA] COPS, 2005
http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/mime/open.pdf?Item=1420
"Cruising" (54 pp.) (NCJ 208347) provides a general discussion of the problem of cruising and reviews the factors that contribute to it. The guide also identifies questions to ask when dealing with a cruising problem, proposes numerous responses to the problem, and identifies ways to measure the effectiveness of these responses. (COPS)
"Cruising" (54 pp.) (NCJ 208347) provides a general discussion of the problem of cruising and reviews the factors that contribute to it. The guide also identifies questions to ask when dealing with a cruising problem, proposes numerous responses to the problem, and identifies ways to measure the effectiveness of these responses. (COPS)
Friday, January 14, 2005
Toronto police in high-risk jobs to be tested for drugs / CBC News: , 13 Jan 2005
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/01/13/police-050113.html
"Toronto police officers working in high-risk positions will have to undergo drug and psychological testing and financial background checks, the city's police chief announced Thursday.
'We all feel that it is time to go forward to send a very clear message to the people of Toronto that we all want the Toronto Police Service to be in the best possible position to deal with the enormous policing challenges facing us all,' Julian Fantino said. "
"Toronto police officers working in high-risk positions will have to undergo drug and psychological testing and financial background checks, the city's police chief announced Thursday.
'We all feel that it is time to go forward to send a very clear message to the people of Toronto that we all want the Toronto Police Service to be in the best possible position to deal with the enormous policing challenges facing us all,' Julian Fantino said. "
UK.gov to hire IT project SWAT team /| The Register, 13 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/13/govtech_overseers/
Lucy Sherriff
"The government is to bring in a team of IT specialists to oversee big technology projects and prevent them from failing. Chief information officer Ian Watmore described the team as a 'heavy hitter brigade' when he announced the scheme at a government CIO meeting last week.
The team will be managed by the e-government unit, but will be funded by individual departments as and when they call upon its services, according to Computer Weekly. The trade magazine reports that the team has yet to be selected, but that Watmore hopes to attract six to ten leading consultants."
Lucy Sherriff
"The government is to bring in a team of IT specialists to oversee big technology projects and prevent them from failing. Chief information officer Ian Watmore described the team as a 'heavy hitter brigade' when he announced the scheme at a government CIO meeting last week.
The team will be managed by the e-government unit, but will be funded by individual departments as and when they call upon its services, according to Computer Weekly. The trade magazine reports that the team has yet to be selected, but that Watmore hopes to attract six to ten leading consultants."
Report warns of dangers of UK's DNA database / The Register, 13 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/13/genewatch_dna_database/
John Lettice
"In addition to 'sleepwalking towards a surveillance society' via the ID scheme, the UK is snoozing nearer to a Big Brother state, with the aid of the National DNA database, according to a new report by GeneWatch UK. The Home Office has ruled out adding DNA data to the biometrics to be held on the entire population via the ID scheme, but the data which is being collected for the Police National Database already makes it one of the most substantial DNA databases in the world, it's growing fast, and it's possibly significant that the Home Office has stressed that it can't bind future administrations to keeping DNA out of the National Identity Register."
John Lettice
"In addition to 'sleepwalking towards a surveillance society' via the ID scheme, the UK is snoozing nearer to a Big Brother state, with the aid of the National DNA database, according to a new report by GeneWatch UK. The Home Office has ruled out adding DNA data to the biometrics to be held on the entire population via the ID scheme, but the data which is being collected for the Police National Database already makes it one of the most substantial DNA databases in the world, it's growing fast, and it's possibly significant that the Home Office has stressed that it can't bind future administrations to keeping DNA out of the National Identity Register."
Police clairvoyants protect DC subway / The Register, 13 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/13/behavior_profiling_on_subway/
Thomas C Greene
"Members of the Washington, DC Metro Police have been trained by gurus at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in a new form of crimebusting voodoo that purports to help them 'profile' the public, and zero in on vibes emanating from bad people.
According to a recent Washington Post article, the police are 'targeting people who avoid eye contact, loiter, or appear to be looking around transit stations more than other passengers... Anyone identified as suspicious will be stopped and questioned about what they are doing and where they are going.'"
Thomas C Greene
"Members of the Washington, DC Metro Police have been trained by gurus at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in a new form of crimebusting voodoo that purports to help them 'profile' the public, and zero in on vibes emanating from bad people.
According to a recent Washington Post article, the police are 'targeting people who avoid eye contact, loiter, or appear to be looking around transit stations more than other passengers... Anyone identified as suspicious will be stopped and questioned about what they are doing and where they are going.'"
Sunshine Project / Website, Biological Weapons & Biotechnology
http://www.sunshine-project.org/
"Many biological weapons are rapidly destroyed by bright sunlight. The Sunshine Project works to bring facts about biological weapons to light! We are an international non-profit organization with offices in Hamburg, Germany and Austin, Texas, USA. We work against the hostile use of biotechnology in the post-Cold War era. We research and publish to strengthen the global consensus against biological warfare and to ensure that international treaties effectively prevent development and use of biological weapons."
"Many biological weapons are rapidly destroyed by bright sunlight. The Sunshine Project works to bring facts about biological weapons to light! We are an international non-profit organization with offices in Hamburg, Germany and Austin, Texas, USA. We work against the hostile use of biotechnology in the post-Cold War era. We research and publish to strengthen the global consensus against biological warfare and to ensure that international treaties effectively prevent development and use of biological weapons."
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Analysis: Policy - Youth custody. Calls for Scholes inquiry intensify / Young People Now, 12 Jan 2005
http://www.ypnmagazine.com/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=full_news&ID=5963
"Despite mounting pressure from campaigning groups, the Home Office is refusing to hold an inquiry into the death of 16-year-old Joseph Scholes at Stoke Heath Young Offender Institution. Tom Lloyd asks why.
Last month, Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights added its support to calls for a public inquiry into the death of 16-year-old Joseph Scholes, who hanged himself in his cell in Stoke Heath Young Offender Institution in March 2002. "
"Despite mounting pressure from campaigning groups, the Home Office is refusing to hold an inquiry into the death of 16-year-old Joseph Scholes at Stoke Heath Young Offender Institution. Tom Lloyd asks why.
Last month, Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights added its support to calls for a public inquiry into the death of 16-year-old Joseph Scholes, who hanged himself in his cell in Stoke Heath Young Offender Institution in March 2002. "
U.S. justices ease judges' sentencing guidelines / International Herald Tribune, 14 Jan 2005
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/13/news/court.html
Linda Greenhouse
"The Supreme Court has transformed criminal sentencing in the U.S. federal courts by restoring to judges much of the discretion that Congress took away 21 years ago when it put sentencing guidelines in place and told judges to follow them.
.
The guidelines, intended to make sentences more uniform, should be treated as merely advisory to cure a constitutional deficiency in the system"
Linda Greenhouse
"The Supreme Court has transformed criminal sentencing in the U.S. federal courts by restoring to judges much of the discretion that Congress took away 21 years ago when it put sentencing guidelines in place and told judges to follow them.
.
The guidelines, intended to make sentences more uniform, should be treated as merely advisory to cure a constitutional deficiency in the system"
PCWorld.com - LostGoggles (previously MoreGoogle) Beta
PCWorld.com - LostGoggles (previously MoreGoogle) Beta: " Google's so good, it leaves some of us wanting more. LostGoggles (formerly MoreGoogle) increases Google's usefulness with some new features. You get the exact same search results, but with the added bonuses of photos of the web pages, live Amazon.com information, and the ability to check for older versions of a site. You can set MoreGoogle to open search results in a new window.
Note: LostGoggles is not a product from Google. This is beta software; use it at your own risk. "
Note: LostGoggles is not a product from Google. This is beta software; use it at your own risk. "
In full: Blair speech / BBC NEWS, 13 Jan 2005
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4171779.stm
"Here is the full text of Tony Blair's speech on 13 January 2005 outlining his plans for a third term in power."
"Here is the full text of Tony Blair's speech on 13 January 2005 outlining his plans for a third term in power."
Court rejects mandatory sentencing rules / MSNBC, 12 Jan 2005
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6816943/
"A divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that federal judges no longer have to abide by controversial 18-year-old mandatory sentencing guidelines, saying that the consideration of factors not presented to jurors violates a defendant?s right to a fair trial.
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The ruling was a blow for the Justice Department, which had defended the constitutionality of the federal sentencing guidelines that now apply to about 64,000 criminal defendants each year. "
"A divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that federal judges no longer have to abide by controversial 18-year-old mandatory sentencing guidelines, saying that the consideration of factors not presented to jurors violates a defendant?s right to a fair trial.
advertisement
The ruling was a blow for the Justice Department, which had defended the constitutionality of the federal sentencing guidelines that now apply to about 64,000 criminal defendants each year. "
Supreme Court limits immigrant detentions / [USA] MSNBC, 12 Jan 2005
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6817694/
"The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the government may not indefinitely imprison immigrants who had been in the United States illegally for years and could not be deported to their home countries.
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The court?s 7-to-2 ruling was a defeat for the Justice Department, which said the issue affected more than 2,000 detained immigrants who cannot be deported. "
"The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the government may not indefinitely imprison immigrants who had been in the United States illegally for years and could not be deported to their home countries.
advertisement
The court?s 7-to-2 ruling was a defeat for the Justice Department, which said the issue affected more than 2,000 detained immigrants who cannot be deported. "
Home Secretary statement on Bichard Inquiry Recommendations Progress Report / Public Technology, 12 Jan 2005
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2308
"The Secretary of State for the Home Office, Charles Clarke has made a written statement to Parliament in response to the Bichard Inquiry Recommendations Progress Report, at the heart of which are IT issues."
"The Secretary of State for the Home Office, Charles Clarke has made a written statement to Parliament in response to the Bichard Inquiry Recommendations Progress Report, at the heart of which are IT issues."
UK IAS chief opposes immigration policy / [Bangladesh] The New Nation, 12 Jan 2005
http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_15394.shtml
"Former British MP and chief executive of Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) Keith Best on Wednesday bitterly criticised the UK government for tightening up on immigration causing 'unnecessary and undue' difficulty for those wishing legitimately to visit Britain.
When the UK government desires to see more labour migration for the economic needs of the UK and more students to bring income to British educational institutions, 'some of its policies work against these aspirations,' he told a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club."
"Former British MP and chief executive of Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) Keith Best on Wednesday bitterly criticised the UK government for tightening up on immigration causing 'unnecessary and undue' difficulty for those wishing legitimately to visit Britain.
When the UK government desires to see more labour migration for the economic needs of the UK and more students to bring income to British educational institutions, 'some of its policies work against these aspirations,' he told a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club."
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
National Response Plan / USA, Jan 2005
http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/NRPbaseplan.pdf
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge Thursday unveiled a new system for coordinating the national response to terrorist attacks and other disasters.
After a one-year preliminary implementation period, the National Response Plan will definitively replace a host of existing federal emergency plans, assigning responsibility to specific agencies for different types of incidents - the Homeland Security Department's Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate in the case of attacks involving weapons of mass destruction, for example.
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge Thursday unveiled a new system for coordinating the national response to terrorist attacks and other disasters.
After a one-year preliminary implementation period, the National Response Plan will definitively replace a host of existing federal emergency plans, assigning responsibility to specific agencies for different types of incidents - the Homeland Security Department's Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate in the case of attacks involving weapons of mass destruction, for example.
Home Office builds 'harm model' to track fear, threats / The Register, 11 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/11/lander_harm_model/
John Lettice
"Much of the UK Home Office's recent legislation has been driven by the 'fear agenda', which is to some extent articulated by previous Home Secretary David Blunkett here (although he thinks he's denying it). A curious interview with Sir Stephen Lander in the Independent, however, reveals that the agenda is to an extent being set by what the press currently happens to be most exercised about, and that (rather more interestingly) the Home Office is developing a "harm model" intended to measure the extent of threats and to prioritise them."
John Lettice
"Much of the UK Home Office's recent legislation has been driven by the 'fear agenda', which is to some extent articulated by previous Home Secretary David Blunkett here (although he thinks he's denying it). A curious interview with Sir Stephen Lander in the Independent, however, reveals that the agenda is to an extent being set by what the press currently happens to be most exercised about, and that (rather more interestingly) the Home Office is developing a "harm model" intended to measure the extent of threats and to prioritise them."
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
NLH's single search offers access to all English NHS Library Services / PublicTechnology, 11 Jan 2005
http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2298
"The National Library for Health website as of yesterday now offers a single search environment that will integrate the 'national' and 'local' information resources of 500 NHS library services across England. The search engine provides an easy-to-use interface for new or experienced library users, offering them a choice of standard (keyword) or advanced searching (using Boolean terms). Behind the scenes, the software searches across a variety of resources including websites, grey literature, physical resources and full text journals, making information retrieval quicker for time-poor clinicians or librarians. "
"The National Library for Health website as of yesterday now offers a single search environment that will integrate the 'national' and 'local' information resources of 500 NHS library services across England. The search engine provides an easy-to-use interface for new or experienced library users, offering them a choice of standard (keyword) or advanced searching (using Boolean terms). Behind the scenes, the software searches across a variety of resources including websites, grey literature, physical resources and full text journals, making information retrieval quicker for time-poor clinicians or librarians. "
Rapid Opiate Detox: Quick to Judge? / [USA] JoinTogether, 10 Jan 2005
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0%2C1854%2C575586%2C00.html
"Rapid detox has been endorsed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and proponents are advertising the procedure nationally as a way to treat addiction to OxyContin and other prescription opiate-based drugs, as well as illicit narcotics. Treatment centers are now open in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York. "
"Rapid detox has been endorsed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and proponents are advertising the procedure nationally as a way to treat addiction to OxyContin and other prescription opiate-based drugs, as well as illicit narcotics. Treatment centers are now open in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York. "
Consultant 'army' already busy on UK ID card scheme / The Register, 10 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/10/id_scheme_consultant_elves/
John Lettice
"As the programme proceeds it will be subject to regular Office of Government Commerce Gateway reviews,' which we hazard translates as PA supervising testing of whether the scheme can actually work, and possibly also ('business case') figuring out a half-plausible justification for it. Some data from the development phase so far must undoubtedly exist, but neither this nor the Gateway review data is in the public domain. There have been Freedom of Information Act requests for the Gateway data (notably by Spy Blog, which is monitoring progress on a number of FOIA requests), but the Home Office is likely to resist disclosures, and Lord Chancellor Charles Falconer has reportedly ruled out the release of legal advice related to the ID scheme."
John Lettice
"As the programme proceeds it will be subject to regular Office of Government Commerce Gateway reviews,' which we hazard translates as PA supervising testing of whether the scheme can actually work, and possibly also ('business case') figuring out a half-plausible justification for it. Some data from the development phase so far must undoubtedly exist, but neither this nor the Gateway review data is in the public domain. There have been Freedom of Information Act requests for the Gateway data (notably by Spy Blog, which is monitoring progress on a number of FOIA requests), but the Home Office is likely to resist disclosures, and Lord Chancellor Charles Falconer has reportedly ruled out the release of legal advice related to the ID scheme."
Southampton Uni goes Open Access / The Register, 10 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/10/southampton_academic_research/
Lucy Sherriff
"Southampton University has made all of its academic and scientific research output available for free on the web. The University said the decision marks a new era in Open Access to research in the UK; it will host workshops for other academic institutions thinking of making a similar transition.
Southampton describes the self-archiving project's purpose as 'to make the full text of the peer-reviewed research output of scholars/scientists and their institutions visible, accessible, harvestable, searchable and useable by any potential user with access to the Internet'. This is not a bypass of the traditional publishing mechanism, but another form of access to already published material."
Lucy Sherriff
"Southampton University has made all of its academic and scientific research output available for free on the web. The University said the decision marks a new era in Open Access to research in the UK; it will host workshops for other academic institutions thinking of making a similar transition.
Southampton describes the self-archiving project's purpose as 'to make the full text of the peer-reviewed research output of scholars/scientists and their institutions visible, accessible, harvestable, searchable and useable by any potential user with access to the Internet'. This is not a bypass of the traditional publishing mechanism, but another form of access to already published material."
Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Charities Lead Volunteer Challenge
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3983363
Ben Pindar
"The Year of the Volunteer 2005, launched today by Chancellor Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Charles Clarke, is being operated by a consortium of UK charities which is dedicated to promoting volunteering.
Leading the partnership are Volunteering England and CSV - Community Service Volunteers - who will work directly with the Home Office and link up with a variety of other national voluntary organisations."
Ben Pindar
"The Year of the Volunteer 2005, launched today by Chancellor Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Charles Clarke, is being operated by a consortium of UK charities which is dedicated to promoting volunteering.
Leading the partnership are Volunteering England and CSV - Community Service Volunteers - who will work directly with the Home Office and link up with a variety of other national voluntary organisations."
New York Crime Hits a Tipping Point / City Journal, Winter 2005
http://www.city-journal.org/html/15_1_ny_crime.html
Steven Malanga
"With felony arrests dropping as a result of the falling crime rate, New York's once-swollen city jails and state prisons are becoming less crowded. This has begun to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual savings for state and city taxpayers."
Steven Malanga
"With felony arrests dropping as a result of the falling crime rate, New York's once-swollen city jails and state prisons are becoming less crowded. This has begun to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual savings for state and city taxpayers."
New York Revitalizes U.S. Policing / [USA] City Journal, Winter 2005 |
City Journal Winter 2005 | New York Revitalizes U.S. Policing by Charles Upton Sahm:
Charles Upton Sahm
"The Gotham crime-fighting revolution spreads.
Everybody knows about the NYPD's breathtaking crime-fighting successes over the last decade. Less well known is that NYPD-trained police chiefs are taking over police departments across the country, bringing with them the methods that worked so well in Gotham - above all, data-driven policing - and getting similar results."
Charles Upton Sahm
"The Gotham crime-fighting revolution spreads.
Everybody knows about the NYPD's breathtaking crime-fighting successes over the last decade. Less well known is that NYPD-trained police chiefs are taking over police departments across the country, bringing with them the methods that worked so well in Gotham - above all, data-driven policing - and getting similar results."
New Approach for Young Offenders / [USA] The Washington Post, 9 Jan 2005
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60348-2005Jan9.html
Theola S. Labbe
"A Canadian psychologist who has worked with juvenile sex offenders for 16 years, said group therapy is ideal because parents who are racked with guilt and shame are relieved to find support from others in the same situation. In addition, Worling said, research shows there is great potential to treat juvenile sex offenders because there are key developmental differences between them and adult offenders."
Theola S. Labbe
"A Canadian psychologist who has worked with juvenile sex offenders for 16 years, said group therapy is ideal because parents who are racked with guilt and shame are relieved to find support from others in the same situation. In addition, Worling said, research shows there is great potential to treat juvenile sex offenders because there are key developmental differences between them and adult offenders."
- Youth crime blitz fails to halt rise / Scotsman, 10 Jan 2005
http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=28812005
IAN SWANSON
THE number of persistent young offenders has risen despite the Scottish Executive's drive to crack down on youth crime.
A leaked document has revealed a five per cent increase in youngsters committing ten or more offences a year - in contrast to the Executive's promise to cut the number of persistent young offenders by ten per cent.
And now the Executive is changing the way the figures are recorded, which will make comparisons with previous years more difficult. "
IAN SWANSON
THE number of persistent young offenders has risen despite the Scottish Executive's drive to crack down on youth crime.
A leaked document has revealed a five per cent increase in youngsters committing ten or more offences a year - in contrast to the Executive's promise to cut the number of persistent young offenders by ten per cent.
And now the Executive is changing the way the figures are recorded, which will make comparisons with previous years more difficult. "
UK's crime-fighting agency will use the press to set agenda / The Independent, 10 Jan 2005
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=599312
Jason Bennetto
"Britain's new 'FBI' agency will be set priorities by the Home Office that are partly based on how much newspapers write about different types of organised crime.
Illegal immigration has been identified as one of the top priorities, partly because more column inches are devoted to the subject than any other crime issue, the chairman of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (Soca) has confirmed."
Jason Bennetto
"Britain's new 'FBI' agency will be set priorities by the Home Office that are partly based on how much newspapers write about different types of organised crime.
Illegal immigration has been identified as one of the top priorities, partly because more column inches are devoted to the subject than any other crime issue, the chairman of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (Soca) has confirmed."
Gangmaster culture spreads across Britain / The Guardian, 10 Jan 2005
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1386647,00.html
Felicity Lawrence
"Supermarkets, catering chains and processing plants are accused of operating a system dependent on subcontracted labour that permits not only the abuse and underpayment of foreign workers, but also identity fraud, large-scale tax avoidance, benefit fraud, crime and violence. "
Felicity Lawrence
"Supermarkets, catering chains and processing plants are accused of operating a system dependent on subcontracted labour that permits not only the abuse and underpayment of foreign workers, but also identity fraud, large-scale tax avoidance, benefit fraud, crime and violence. "
Immigration unit racist, claim staff / ThisisLondon, 10 Jan 2005
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/15861879?source=Evening%20Standard
Ben Leapman
"White immigration officers regularly refer to black and Asian people as 'savages' and 'spear-chuckers', two whistleblowers will tell a tribunal.
Racist language was said to be common at the Home Office unit responsible for the deportation of illegal immigrants. "
Ben Leapman
"White immigration officers regularly refer to black and Asian people as 'savages' and 'spear-chuckers', two whistleblowers will tell a tribunal.
Racist language was said to be common at the Home Office unit responsible for the deportation of illegal immigrants. "
Drugs and crime : a study of incarcerated female offenders [RPP no. 63] / [Australia] AIC, 2004
http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/rpp/63/index.html
Holly Johnson
"A study of Australia's female prisoners has found they are more likely than male prisoners to be under the influence of illegal drugs when they committed their most recent crime."
PDF - http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/rpp/63/RPP63.pdf
Holly Johnson
"A study of Australia's female prisoners has found they are more likely than male prisoners to be under the influence of illegal drugs when they committed their most recent crime."
PDF - http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/rpp/63/RPP63.pdf
Monday, January 10, 2005
'The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004
http://www.asksam.com/ebooks/IntelReformAct/
'The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 is the most dramatic reform of U.S. intelligence capabilities since the National Security Act of 1947. You'll find the complete text of this legislation in a searchable askSam database that you can easily search, browse, and analyze. This is a free download and can be searched and viewed with either askSam or with a copy of the free askSam Viewer."
'The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 is the most dramatic reform of U.S. intelligence capabilities since the National Security Act of 1947. You'll find the complete text of this legislation in a searchable askSam database that you can easily search, browse, and analyze. This is a free download and can be searched and viewed with either askSam or with a copy of the free askSam Viewer."
BBC NEWS | Country Profiles
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/country_profiles/
"Full profiles provide an instant guide to history, politics and economic background of countries and territories, and background on key institutions. They also include audio or video clips from BBC archives. Select a country, territory or international organisation. "
"Full profiles provide an instant guide to history, politics and economic background of countries and territories, and background on key institutions. They also include audio or video clips from BBC archives. Select a country, territory or international organisation. "
United Nations Official Document System
http://documents.un.org/
"As of December 31, 2004, the United Nations Official Document System (ODS) is open to the public. According to the press release, 'ODS covers all types of official United Nations documentation originating from duty stations worldwide, including selective documents of the regional commissions: Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and Economic Commission for Europe (ECE).
'Comprehensive coverage starts in 1993. Older United Nations documents are added to the system on a daily basis. Selective coverage of General Assembly and Security Council documentation currently reaches back to 1985. The ODS also provides access to the resolutions of the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council from 1946 onwards.'"
"As of December 31, 2004, the United Nations Official Document System (ODS) is open to the public. According to the press release, 'ODS covers all types of official United Nations documentation originating from duty stations worldwide, including selective documents of the regional commissions: Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and Economic Commission for Europe (ECE).
'Comprehensive coverage starts in 1993. Older United Nations documents are added to the system on a daily basis. Selective coverage of General Assembly and Security Council documentation currently reaches back to 1985. The ODS also provides access to the resolutions of the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council from 1946 onwards.'"
All change in 2005 / Expatica Netherlands, 10 January 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=1&story_id=15355&name=All+change+in+2005
Cormac Mac Ruairi
"January 1 has ushered in several important legal changes in the Netherlands.
A whole lot of rules and regulations changed after midnight on 31 December. Here is a summary of the most important ones."
Cormac Mac Ruairi
"January 1 has ushered in several important legal changes in the Netherlands.
A whole lot of rules and regulations changed after midnight on 31 December. Here is a summary of the most important ones."
All change in 2005 / Expatica Germany, 10 January 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=26&story_id=15412&name=All+change+in+2005
Andrew McCathie
"A new year has dawned and with it a raft of major new German laws have kicked in.
In particular, this includes sweeping changes to Germany's immigration laws, the introduction of the final round of tax cuts, and radical reforms to the nation's welfare benefit system and labour market.
The series of new laws also represent key components of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's efforts at modernising Europe's biggest economy, with the new immigration laws aimed at bringing Germany into line with the immigration systems operating in other nations, notably Canada, Australia and the United States."
Andrew McCathie
"A new year has dawned and with it a raft of major new German laws have kicked in.
In particular, this includes sweeping changes to Germany's immigration laws, the introduction of the final round of tax cuts, and radical reforms to the nation's welfare benefit system and labour market.
The series of new laws also represent key components of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's efforts at modernising Europe's biggest economy, with the new immigration laws aimed at bringing Germany into line with the immigration systems operating in other nations, notably Canada, Australia and the United States."
The State of France / Expatica France, 10 January 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=25&story_id=5639&name=The+State+of+France
"Discover the key facts and figures of France, the current issues and challenges, how its political system works, and where it's heading."
"Discover the key facts and figures of France, the current issues and challenges, how its political system works, and where it's heading."
Dutch rush to get ID cards / Expatica Netherlands, 4 Jan 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=13&story_id=15421&name=Dutch+rush+to+get+ID+cards
"Over 225,000 applications for identity cards have been filed in the last two months in the Netherlands. Everyone, aged 14 and above, must carry valid identification or face a fine under a new law that came into force in Holland on 1 January. Valid forms of ID are a passport, a Dutch or European ID card, or a residence permit. In some cases, but not all, a valid Dutch driver's license will do."
"Over 225,000 applications for identity cards have been filed in the last two months in the Netherlands. Everyone, aged 14 and above, must carry valid identification or face a fine under a new law that came into force in Holland on 1 January. Valid forms of ID are a passport, a Dutch or European ID card, or a residence permit. In some cases, but not all, a valid Dutch driver's license will do."
Crime levels down for fifth year in Amsterdam / Expatica Netherlands, 3 Jan 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=13&story_id=15372&name=Crime+levels+down+for+fifth+year+in+Amsterdam
"Despite the shocking murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh last November, crime levels were actually down for the fifth year running in Amsterdam, the capital's police chief has confirmed.
There were 27 murders in the Dutch capital in 2004, compared with 43 the year earlier, police chief Bernard Welten said when unveiling his annual report.
Complaints of crime made to police fell by 10 percent to 96,000 last year, but Welten noted that 'disappointingly' the police monitor survey noted a 3 percent drop in the public's willingness to report crime."
"Despite the shocking murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh last November, crime levels were actually down for the fifth year running in Amsterdam, the capital's police chief has confirmed.
There were 27 murders in the Dutch capital in 2004, compared with 43 the year earlier, police chief Bernard Welten said when unveiling his annual report.
Complaints of crime made to police fell by 10 percent to 96,000 last year, but Welten noted that 'disappointingly' the police monitor survey noted a 3 percent drop in the public's willingness to report crime."
Increasing cases of 'meth mouth' burden prisons' health-care budgets /[USA] Duluth News Tribune, 9 Jan 2005
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/local/10603139.htm
"Look into the mouth of a longtime meth user, and you'll see one way the drug marks its users.
You'll see teeth ground to mere nubs, others black with rot, abscessed gums and other dental nightmares.
That's what Minnesota prison dentist Stephen Boesch sees with increasing frequency in the mouths of inmates.
With a more than fivefold increase in the number of methamphetamine offenders behind bars, the drug's effect on teeth is taking its toll on the state prison budget's bottom line."
"Look into the mouth of a longtime meth user, and you'll see one way the drug marks its users.
You'll see teeth ground to mere nubs, others black with rot, abscessed gums and other dental nightmares.
That's what Minnesota prison dentist Stephen Boesch sees with increasing frequency in the mouths of inmates.
With a more than fivefold increase in the number of methamphetamine offenders behind bars, the drug's effect on teeth is taking its toll on the state prison budget's bottom line."
ZERO TOLERANCE vs ZERO IMPACT / Daily Telegraph, 10 Jan 2005
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/01/09/ntec109.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/01/09/ixhome.html
ZERO TOLERANCE vs ZERO IMPACT
Alasdair Palmer and Charles Laurence
Splashed across many of last week's newspapers was the headline: 'UK police are the worst in the developed world'. That claim will have confirmed what a lot of people in the UK already believe.
It was prompted by a book by Norman Dennis and George Erdos that compared the British police's performance in dealing with rising crime rates with the forces in America, France and Germany. The British police came out of the comparison very badly.
'In fact, I don't think our police force is among the world's worst,' explained Mr Dennis, who works for the think-tank Civitas and for the University of Newcastle. 'But I do think that it is demonstrably true that our police force has failed, and failed miserably, to respond effectively to rising crime rates. "
ZERO TOLERANCE vs ZERO IMPACT
Alasdair Palmer and Charles Laurence
Splashed across many of last week's newspapers was the headline: 'UK police are the worst in the developed world'. That claim will have confirmed what a lot of people in the UK already believe.
It was prompted by a book by Norman Dennis and George Erdos that compared the British police's performance in dealing with rising crime rates with the forces in America, France and Germany. The British police came out of the comparison very badly.
'In fact, I don't think our police force is among the world's worst,' explained Mr Dennis, who works for the think-tank Civitas and for the University of Newcastle. 'But I do think that it is demonstrably true that our police force has failed, and failed miserably, to respond effectively to rising crime rates. "
Ups and downs in urban crime / [USA] The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Jan 2005
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0110/p01s03-ussc.html?s=hns
Amanda Paulson and Sara B. Miller
"Murder rates for 2004 decline in many cities, but gang violence leads to some exceptions. So what happened? Much of the decline stems from changes implemented in June 2003, says Patrick Camden, a Chicago Police Department spokesman. The police began using technology that showed crime trends as they occurred, and deployed officers to violent areas."
Amanda Paulson and Sara B. Miller
"Murder rates for 2004 decline in many cities, but gang violence leads to some exceptions. So what happened? Much of the decline stems from changes implemented in June 2003, says Patrick Camden, a Chicago Police Department spokesman. The police began using technology that showed crime trends as they occurred, and deployed officers to violent areas."
The government open source dynamic / The Register, 7 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/01/07/gov_open_source_dynamic/
Robin Bloor
"Governments usually see Open Source as a means of promoting IT standards which have the potential to reduce technology costs in the medium to long term ? not just in the government sector but in the local economy. This is particularly important in less developed countries where the cost of IT is simply too high for many local businesses."
Robin Bloor
"Governments usually see Open Source as a means of promoting IT standards which have the potential to reduce technology costs in the medium to long term ? not just in the government sector but in the local economy. This is particularly important in less developed countries where the cost of IT is simply too high for many local businesses."
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Police, parents urge probe of oxycodone drugs / [Canada] CTV.ca, 8 Jan 2005
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1105145184355_3/?hub=CTVNewsAt11
"New concerns are being raised about a group of medications called oxycodone -- powerful painkillers that are making their way to the streets and may be linked to a number of suicides."
"New concerns are being raised about a group of medications called oxycodone -- powerful painkillers that are making their way to the streets and may be linked to a number of suicides."
Mountain of evidence shows gun control doesn't work / [USA] Chicago Sun-Times, 8 Jan 2005
http://www.suntimes.com/output/otherviews/cst-edt-ref08x.html
John r Lott Jr.
"Last month, the National Academy of Sciences issued a 328-page report on gun control laws. The big news is that the academy's panel couldn't identify any benefits of the decades-long effort to reduce crime and injury by restricting gun ownership. The only conclusion it could draw was: Let's study the question some more (presumably, until we find the results we want)."
John r Lott Jr.
"Last month, the National Academy of Sciences issued a 328-page report on gun control laws. The big news is that the academy's panel couldn't identify any benefits of the decades-long effort to reduce crime and injury by restricting gun ownership. The only conclusion it could draw was: Let's study the question some more (presumably, until we find the results we want)."
$57m bill for asylum seekers / [Australia] The Advertiser, 9 Jan 2005
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,11889531%5E911,00.html
"AUSTRALIA billed failed asylum-seekers and other deportees more than $57 million last year but recovered just $359,000. Figures for the past three financial years show a fraction of the amounts billed has been paid. Overstayers and those who breach visa conditions by working illegally are the biggest culprits. Failed asylum-seekers make up a small part of overall detention and removal costs."
"AUSTRALIA billed failed asylum-seekers and other deportees more than $57 million last year but recovered just $359,000. Figures for the past three financial years show a fraction of the amounts billed has been paid. Overstayers and those who breach visa conditions by working illegally are the biggest culprits. Failed asylum-seekers make up a small part of overall detention and removal costs."
France Tests "Chemical Castration" / Deutsche Welle, 8 Jan 2005
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,1451581,00.html?maca=en-bulletin-433-html
John Laurenson
"In France, doctors recently began giving chemical treatment to 48 repeat sex offenders to see if this will stop them attacking again. But not everyone is convinced it's the best way forward. All the men undergoing the treatment are volunteers who served prison terms for sex crimes. The government hopes that medical treatment will help stem a sharp increase in the number of sex crimes, particularly child rape. "
John Laurenson
"In France, doctors recently began giving chemical treatment to 48 repeat sex offenders to see if this will stop them attacking again. But not everyone is convinced it's the best way forward. All the men undergoing the treatment are volunteers who served prison terms for sex crimes. The government hopes that medical treatment will help stem a sharp increase in the number of sex crimes, particularly child rape. "
Governance, forced migration and welfare / ESRC, Jan 2005
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/sociology/people/pddocs/jspgov.doc
Peter Dwyer
"Following an initial consideration of literature on governance and welfare this paper explores the welfare of forced migrants (i.e. refugees, asylum seekers, those with humanitarian leave to remain, and ‘failed asylum seekers/‘overstayers’) at three linked levels. First, it considers the governance of forced migrants’ at a supra-national level i.e. European Union policy. Second, particularly, but not exclusively in the context of the UK, it considers the extent to which the welfare rights of forced migrants in EU Member States have been subject to a process of ‘hollowing out’ (Jessop, 2000) or ‘dispersal’ (Clarke, 2004). Third, utilising data from a recently completed qualitative research project, the paper outlines the complex local systems of governance that exist in relation to the housing and social security rights of forced migrants in the UK. The consequences of these networks are highlighted. The paper concludes by arguing that the combination of a governance centred approach and qualitative enquiry allows for a more informed and grounded understanding of forced migration policy."
Peter Dwyer
"Following an initial consideration of literature on governance and welfare this paper explores the welfare of forced migrants (i.e. refugees, asylum seekers, those with humanitarian leave to remain, and ‘failed asylum seekers/‘overstayers’) at three linked levels. First, it considers the governance of forced migrants’ at a supra-national level i.e. European Union policy. Second, particularly, but not exclusively in the context of the UK, it considers the extent to which the welfare rights of forced migrants in EU Member States have been subject to a process of ‘hollowing out’ (Jessop, 2000) or ‘dispersal’ (Clarke, 2004). Third, utilising data from a recently completed qualitative research project, the paper outlines the complex local systems of governance that exist in relation to the housing and social security rights of forced migrants in the UK. The consequences of these networks are highlighted. The paper concludes by arguing that the combination of a governance centred approach and qualitative enquiry allows for a more informed and grounded understanding of forced migration policy."
Meeting basic needs? Forced migrants and welfare. / University of Leeds, Jan 2005
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/sociology/people/pddocs/socialpolicy-society.doc
Peter Dwyer ; David Brown
"As the number of forced migrants entering Britain has risen, increasingly restrictive immigration and asylum policy has been introduced. Simultaneously, successive governments have sought to limit the welfare entitlements of forced migrants. Drawing on two sets of semi-structured qualitative interviews, with migrants and key respondents providing welfare services, this paper considers the adequacy of welfare provisions in relation to the financial and housing needs of four different groups of forced migrants i.e. refugees, asylum seekers, those with humanitarian protection status and failed asylum seekers/‘overstayers’. There is strong evidence to suggest that statutory provisions are failing to meet the basic financial and housing needs of many forced migrants."
Peter Dwyer ; David Brown
"As the number of forced migrants entering Britain has risen, increasingly restrictive immigration and asylum policy has been introduced. Simultaneously, successive governments have sought to limit the welfare entitlements of forced migrants. Drawing on two sets of semi-structured qualitative interviews, with migrants and key respondents providing welfare services, this paper considers the adequacy of welfare provisions in relation to the financial and housing needs of four different groups of forced migrants i.e. refugees, asylum seekers, those with humanitarian protection status and failed asylum seekers/‘overstayers’. There is strong evidence to suggest that statutory provisions are failing to meet the basic financial and housing needs of many forced migrants."
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Turning out the Brights Lights in Big Cities spiked-life, 7 Jan 2005
http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/0000000CA866.htm
Dave Clements
"Debating the UK government's dim vision for civic life."
Includes references.
Dave Clements
"Debating the UK government's dim vision for civic life."
Includes references.
2004 in Review -The hitman cometh / [Bulgaria] The Sofia Echo, Dec 2004
The Sofia Echo - Bulgaria's English-language newspaper:
Christina Dimitrova
"THROUGHOUT 2004, as in the year before, rivals in the organised criminal underworld kept on killing each other off, although there were not as many high-profile murders as in 2003." Review of crime.
Christina Dimitrova
"THROUGHOUT 2004, as in the year before, rivals in the organised criminal underworld kept on killing each other off, although there were not as many high-profile murders as in 2003." Review of crime.
Bid to Protect Youngsters from Street Crime / Scotsman, 7 Jan 2004
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3972142
Joanne Clements
"Home Office minister Hazel Blears today launched a new drive to cut the number of school children who fall victim to street robbery."
Joanne Clements
"Home Office minister Hazel Blears today launched a new drive to cut the number of school children who fall victim to street robbery."
Britain plans 'national service' for asylum seekers / New Zimbabwe, 7 Jan 2005
http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/asylumbrit15.12117.html
"BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair plans to make failed asylum seekers from Zimbabwe and other countries do months of 'national service' in a bid to convince voters he has not lost control of the immigration system."
"BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair plans to make failed asylum seekers from Zimbabwe and other countries do months of 'national service' in a bid to convince voters he has not lost control of the immigration system."
Drug Court a 'haven for dope dealers' / [USA] San Francisco Examiner, 4 Jan 2005
http://www.sfexaminer.com/article/index.cfm/i/010405n_drugcourt
Alison Soltau
"Drug dealers and potentially violent criminals are avoiding jail by taking advantage of loopholes in a city program that diverts drug addicts out of prison and into rehabilitation, according to the District Attorney's Office.
The 10-year-old Drug Court funnels about 200 people a year facing criminal prosecution for drug possession, drug sales of up to 2 grams and non-violent felonies into six-month drug rehabilitation and jobs programs.
Drug Court needs urgent reform because its current rules encourage savvy dealers to commute to San Francisco from around the Bay Area and is allowing hardened, violent criminals to avert jailtime"
Alison Soltau
"Drug dealers and potentially violent criminals are avoiding jail by taking advantage of loopholes in a city program that diverts drug addicts out of prison and into rehabilitation, according to the District Attorney's Office.
The 10-year-old Drug Court funnels about 200 people a year facing criminal prosecution for drug possession, drug sales of up to 2 grams and non-violent felonies into six-month drug rehabilitation and jobs programs.
Drug Court needs urgent reform because its current rules encourage savvy dealers to commute to San Francisco from around the Bay Area and is allowing hardened, violent criminals to avert jailtime"
Inmate Treatment Program Reduces Recidivism, Restores Lives / JoinTogether/ 7 Jan 2005
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/action/dt/news/reader/0%2C2812%2C575558%2C00.html
"Illinois' Sheridan Correctional Center has created an intensive prison treatment program that one expert believes could be a national model, the Chicago Tribune reported on January 3.
Each week, Sheridan officials work with outside organizations to give inmates nearly 50 hours of drug and alcohol counseling and other therapy sessions, education, job training, and additional skills to prevent recidivism."
"Illinois' Sheridan Correctional Center has created an intensive prison treatment program that one expert believes could be a national model, the Chicago Tribune reported on January 3.
Each week, Sheridan officials work with outside organizations to give inmates nearly 50 hours of drug and alcohol counseling and other therapy sessions, education, job training, and additional skills to prevent recidivism."
Biological smoke detector" helps protect against potential bioterrorist attacks / Medical New today, 6 Jan 2005
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/?newsid=18657
"Scientists have developed a new 'biological smoke detector' to help protect against potential bioterrorist attacks, according to a study published in the Jan. 1 edition of Analytical Chemistry, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.
High-traffic facilities like airports, office buildings, rail stations and sporting arenas serve hundreds of thousands of people each day, making them particularly susceptible to silent and invisible biological attacks. Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California have now developed a new stand-alone detector that can provide early warning to help authorities limit exposure and start treating victims before they show symptoms of full-blown infection. "
"Scientists have developed a new 'biological smoke detector' to help protect against potential bioterrorist attacks, according to a study published in the Jan. 1 edition of Analytical Chemistry, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.
High-traffic facilities like airports, office buildings, rail stations and sporting arenas serve hundreds of thousands of people each day, making them particularly susceptible to silent and invisible biological attacks. Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California have now developed a new stand-alone detector that can provide early warning to help authorities limit exposure and start treating victims before they show symptoms of full-blown infection. "
Friday, January 07, 2005
Hodge Jones & Allen - United Kingdom - The Case of Matthew Raveneau /Mondaq, 7 Dec 2004
http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=29919&searchresults=1
Jocelyn Cockburn
"Matthew Raveneau took his own life on the 26th or 27th November 2002, four days after being released on bail from Belmarsh Prison.
The deceased?s mental health had deteriorated during 2002 and in October 2002 he held his children hostage in their home in an effort to get himself shot by police snipers. He did not threaten the children and they were released unharmed. He was prosecuted for false imprisonment and during this period his partner made several requests for him to be given help for his mental health problems. "
Jocelyn Cockburn
"Matthew Raveneau took his own life on the 26th or 27th November 2002, four days after being released on bail from Belmarsh Prison.
The deceased?s mental health had deteriorated during 2002 and in October 2002 he held his children hostage in their home in an effort to get himself shot by police snipers. He did not threaten the children and they were released unharmed. He was prosecuted for false imprisonment and during this period his partner made several requests for him to be given help for his mental health problems. "
Goodbye NCIS, Hello SOCA! / Mondaq, 6 Jan 2005
http://www.mondaq.com/i_article.asp_Q_articleid_E_30233
David
"Many UK solicitors will be under the impression that the forthcoming Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 will include nothing of relevance to them. That would be their first mistake!
Not only will the proposed Act deal with serious organised crime, and replace the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), it will also contain a rag-bag of amendments to existing legislation including the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002."
David
"Many UK solicitors will be under the impression that the forthcoming Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 will include nothing of relevance to them. That would be their first mistake!
Not only will the proposed Act deal with serious organised crime, and replace the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), it will also contain a rag-bag of amendments to existing legislation including the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002."
Martial arts 'help calm teen anger' / NEWS.com.au, 6 Jan 2005
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11867448%255E1702,00.html
Rosemary Desmond
"TEACHING the principles of martial arts to teenage boys may help them manage their anger, an Australian researcher believes.
About 90 per cent of juvenile offenders were male and many of them school drop-outs from single-parent families headed by women"
Rosemary Desmond
"TEACHING the principles of martial arts to teenage boys may help them manage their anger, an Australian researcher believes.
About 90 per cent of juvenile offenders were male and many of them school drop-outs from single-parent families headed by women"
Classical music and social control / Economist, 6 Jan 2005
http://www.economist.com/World/europe/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3536150
"THE question of how to control yobbish behaviour troubles many. One increasingly popular solution is classical music, which is apparently painful to teenage ears. Co-op, a chain of grocery stores, is experimenting with playing classical music outside its shops, to stop youths from hanging around and intimidating customers.? "
"THE question of how to control yobbish behaviour troubles many. One increasingly popular solution is classical music, which is apparently painful to teenage ears. Co-op, a chain of grocery stores, is experimenting with playing classical music outside its shops, to stop youths from hanging around and intimidating customers.? "
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