http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1824769,00.html
David Fickling
"One in four British internet users keeps a blog and more than half of that number share their online musings with the public, according to a report. The research suggests that, with 27 million internet users across the UK, the country now holds nearly 7 million bloggers - equivalent to nearly one in nine of the population. Blogs - which allow internet users to write an online diary - were almost unheard of outside a small community of internet geeks until 2001. Bloggers have the option of keeping their postings private, using them as an alternative to a paper diary."
Monday, July 31, 2006
Bloggers upset over censorship in India, France / ZDNET, 21 July 2006
http://www.zdnetindia.com/news/business/stories/150532.html
Tom Espiner,
"Indian bloggers are railing against censorship after reports that the Indian Government has instructed Internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to blogs on blogspot.com and typepad.com, and to Web sites on GeoCities, as a security measure in the wake of the Jul. 11 Mumbai train bombings. Indian Government officials at the High Commission of India in London on Thursday could not confirm or deny whether the Indian Government had ordered the sites to be blocked."
Tom Espiner,
"Indian bloggers are railing against censorship after reports that the Indian Government has instructed Internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to blogs on blogspot.com and typepad.com, and to Web sites on GeoCities, as a security measure in the wake of the Jul. 11 Mumbai train bombings. Indian Government officials at the High Commission of India in London on Thursday could not confirm or deny whether the Indian Government had ordered the sites to be blocked."
How to blog - and keep your job / BBC, 20 Jul 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5195714.stm
Laura Smith-Spark
"Bloggers may find a pseudonym is not enough to preserve anonymity. A British secretary allegedly sacked from her job in Paris over an internet diary is the latest in a growing line to pay a heavy price for blogging. Her story is far from unique in the blogosphere."
Laura Smith-Spark
"Bloggers may find a pseudonym is not enough to preserve anonymity. A British secretary allegedly sacked from her job in Paris over an internet diary is the latest in a growing line to pay a heavy price for blogging. Her story is far from unique in the blogosphere."
PRISONERS' RITES OF PASSAGE: THE LEAP INTO MANHOOD / The Voice, 24 Jul 2006
http://www.voice-online.co.uk/content.php?show=9704
Dominic Bascombe
"Innovative campaign 'Calling the Shots' aims to turn around the lives of young men held in Woodhill prison for serious crimes - ‘Calling the Shots’, a scheme which is being run for the second time in Britain, has been adapted for the prison system. It is a week-long course originally designed in collaboration with London mayor Ken Livingstone’s office. “It’s about finding themselves and understanding who they are and finding a place that is comfortable for them. They have got to have enough confidence to understand that even if you have to stay here for the rest of your natural born days, there is still a great amount of growth, a huge amount of change, that you can bring about for yourself."
Dominic Bascombe
"Innovative campaign 'Calling the Shots' aims to turn around the lives of young men held in Woodhill prison for serious crimes - ‘Calling the Shots’, a scheme which is being run for the second time in Britain, has been adapted for the prison system. It is a week-long course originally designed in collaboration with London mayor Ken Livingstone’s office. “It’s about finding themselves and understanding who they are and finding a place that is comfortable for them. They have got to have enough confidence to understand that even if you have to stay here for the rest of your natural born days, there is still a great amount of growth, a huge amount of change, that you can bring about for yourself."
Swept Under the Rug - Abuses against Domestic Workers Around the World / Human rights Watch, July 2006
http://hrw.org/reports/2006/wrd0706/
"Instead of guaranteeing domestic workers’ ability to work with dignity and freedom from violence, governments have systematically denied them key labor protections extended to other workers. Migrants and children are especially at risk of abuse."
"Instead of guaranteeing domestic workers’ ability to work with dignity and freedom from violence, governments have systematically denied them key labor protections extended to other workers. Migrants and children are especially at risk of abuse."
Montana Department of Corrections Begins Use of New Alert Notification System / GovTech, 27 Jul 2006
http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=100325
"The Montana Department of Corrections launched a demonstration project using computer technology to improve the process of alerting department and other key state officials of major incidents at correctional facilities throughout Montana. The CHAIN system, developed by Invizeon Corp., automates a notification network that previously relied on a series of phone calls placed by officers, and will be used only for "priority one" incidents, which include an escape, death, power outage, suicide, assault, riot, hostage situation or sabotage."
"The Montana Department of Corrections launched a demonstration project using computer technology to improve the process of alerting department and other key state officials of major incidents at correctional facilities throughout Montana. The CHAIN system, developed by Invizeon Corp., automates a notification network that previously relied on a series of phone calls placed by officers, and will be used only for "priority one" incidents, which include an escape, death, power outage, suicide, assault, riot, hostage situation or sabotage."
Pitfalls seen as UK copies U.S. terror alert model / Reuters, 31 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mear
Mark Trevelyan, Security Correspondent
"The government's launch of a U.S.-style terrorism alert system will address concerns about lack of transparency but must avoid the pitfalls of "crying wolf" or being seen as a political tool, international experience shows. Authorities will on Tuesday introduce a five-layered threat system to inform the public, with levels ranging from low (attack unlikely) to critical (attack expected imminently)."
Mark Trevelyan, Security Correspondent
"The government's launch of a U.S.-style terrorism alert system will address concerns about lack of transparency but must avoid the pitfalls of "crying wolf" or being seen as a political tool, international experience shows. Authorities will on Tuesday introduce a five-layered threat system to inform the public, with levels ranging from low (attack unlikely) to critical (attack expected imminently)."
California’s Prison Crisis 2006: Is the System Beyond Help? / California Progress Report, 31 July 2006
http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2006/07/californias_pri.html
Barbara Christie
"Alarming cries are being heard up and down the state these days: Prisons near 200 percent capacity! Recidivism rate at nearly 70 percent! Shocking reports of violence, abuse, and neglect! Virtually no rehabilitation, treatment, or education programs! “Life-threatening” conditions place prison health-care system in federal receivership! Entire prison system under threat of federal takeover! These words are coming from not only inmate’s families, but from journalists, oversight organizations, university research centers, and numerous advocates for criminal justice, prison, and parole reform."
Barbara Christie
"Alarming cries are being heard up and down the state these days: Prisons near 200 percent capacity! Recidivism rate at nearly 70 percent! Shocking reports of violence, abuse, and neglect! Virtually no rehabilitation, treatment, or education programs! “Life-threatening” conditions place prison health-care system in federal receivership! Entire prison system under threat of federal takeover! These words are coming from not only inmate’s families, but from journalists, oversight organizations, university research centers, and numerous advocates for criminal justice, prison, and parole reform."
Opening an Anne Frank's diary for the blogging generation / Scotsman on Sunday, 30 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4meap
CLAIRE PRENTICE
"LIKE a cultural Rorschach test, the Fringe is never slow to register a trend. So it's no surprise that in the year when bloggers have threatened to unseat the Deputy Prime Minister, broken new pop acts and spilled the beans on every beleaguered public institution from the NHS to the police force, the Edinburgh Festival teems with productions based on weblogs. But while most weblogs tend to be a blend of solipsism, adolescent angst and exhibitionism, in the theatre of war, bloggers have earned an honourable place as sources of personal information, unmediated by government propaganda."
CLAIRE PRENTICE
"LIKE a cultural Rorschach test, the Fringe is never slow to register a trend. So it's no surprise that in the year when bloggers have threatened to unseat the Deputy Prime Minister, broken new pop acts and spilled the beans on every beleaguered public institution from the NHS to the police force, the Edinburgh Festival teems with productions based on weblogs. But while most weblogs tend to be a blend of solipsism, adolescent angst and exhibitionism, in the theatre of war, bloggers have earned an honourable place as sources of personal information, unmediated by government propaganda."
'Ignorant' Blair meets Apple boss / PC Advisor, 31 Jul 2006
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=6708
PM enjoys chinwag with Steve Jobs. The prime minister said: "I'm here today in listening mode, as long as you treat me as ignorant." He said he was interested in how the Silicon Valley culture fosters entrepreneurism. "We're trying in our way in Britain to make sure the UK is a dynamic, innovative country," Blair told his lunchtime gathering of technology leaders, which also included representatives from Intel rival AMD, Adobe and Sun. The technologists recommended Blair and other politicians keep a blog. The notoriously secret Jobs doesn't blog, at least publicly." [Top Topic]
PM enjoys chinwag with Steve Jobs. The prime minister said: "I'm here today in listening mode, as long as you treat me as ignorant." He said he was interested in how the Silicon Valley culture fosters entrepreneurism. "We're trying in our way in Britain to make sure the UK is a dynamic, innovative country," Blair told his lunchtime gathering of technology leaders, which also included representatives from Intel rival AMD, Adobe and Sun. The technologists recommended Blair and other politicians keep a blog. The notoriously secret Jobs doesn't blog, at least publicly." [Top Topic]
Ring of steel / Guardian Blog, 28 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdyk
David Fickling
More than 2m mobile phones are stolen in the UK each year, and according to recent figures the number pinched has gone up 8% over the past year. How can you avoid becoming part of the statistic? The figures have prompted the networks to institute new security measures but before you do anything, you should register your phone at immobilise.com, a cross-industry initiative that allows you to record details of all manner of nickable stuff online.
If items registered on the site get stolen you can alert police forces and second-hand traders at the touch of a button, and a quick phone call will immobilise the handset instantly.
If you've already had your phone nicked and it wasn't registered on the site, you should head for the Central Equipment Identity Register, an initiative run by the police's mobile phone crime unit. For this you'll need your IMEI number, a number that identifies your handset and can be communicated over the mobile network to lock your phone if you've lost it. Type *#06# into your phone and it should show the IMEI: write it down in a safe place." [Top Tips]
David Fickling
More than 2m mobile phones are stolen in the UK each year, and according to recent figures the number pinched has gone up 8% over the past year. How can you avoid becoming part of the statistic? The figures have prompted the networks to institute new security measures but before you do anything, you should register your phone at immobilise.com, a cross-industry initiative that allows you to record details of all manner of nickable stuff online.
If items registered on the site get stolen you can alert police forces and second-hand traders at the touch of a button, and a quick phone call will immobilise the handset instantly.
If you've already had your phone nicked and it wasn't registered on the site, you should head for the Central Equipment Identity Register, an initiative run by the police's mobile phone crime unit. For this you'll need your IMEI number, a number that identifies your handset and can be communicated over the mobile network to lock your phone if you've lost it. Type *#06# into your phone and it should show the IMEI: write it down in a safe place." [Top Tips]
Voice biometric technology protects call centres from identity fraud / Security Park, 25 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdyh
"Preventing fraud of this nature is in everyone’s interest, security professionals at call centres, and their customers, need to ensure that everyone in the chain is adequately protected with robust technology and matching processes. Although the solution appears obvious - positively identify the customer - putting this into practice is a lot more difficult. The use of passwords or other personal data is not entirely foolproof. As we have seen, they can be circumnavigated with a little social engineering and a lot of determination."
"Preventing fraud of this nature is in everyone’s interest, security professionals at call centres, and their customers, need to ensure that everyone in the chain is adequately protected with robust technology and matching processes. Although the solution appears obvious - positively identify the customer - putting this into practice is a lot more difficult. The use of passwords or other personal data is not entirely foolproof. As we have seen, they can be circumnavigated with a little social engineering and a lot of determination."
Scoop Blogwatch: Tumeke - Prison Blogs / Scoop, 31 July 2006
http://www.tumeke.blogspot.com/http://www.tumeke.org/
"Scoop Blogwatch: Tumeke - Prison BlogsBlog posts written by Tim Selwyn in Mt Eden prison, posted on Tumeke by Bomber Bradbury.
1 - Prison Blog From Tim2 - Prison Blog 2"
"Scoop Blogwatch: Tumeke - Prison BlogsBlog posts written by Tim Selwyn in Mt Eden prison, posted on Tumeke by Bomber Bradbury.
1 - Prison Blog From Tim2 - Prison Blog 2"
[New Zealand] Jailers shrug off blog from behind bars / NZ Herald, 31 Jul 2006
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10393785
Paula Oliver
"The Corrections Department is powerless to stop a prisoner's internet blog about life behind bars, and doesn't see anything wrong with it anyway. Tim Selwyn has used a web log to criticise the judge who sentenced him and to write details of the jailyard assault of a prisoner.
The site says Selwyn, jailed this month after a rare sedition - inciting rebellion against the state - conviction as well as on fraud charges, will write regular instalments about life behind bars during his 17-month sentence. National MP Simon Power has called on Corrections to stop Selwyn's "travelogue", but the department's chief executive, Barry Matthews, yesterday said that he had no intention of doing that."
Paula Oliver
"The Corrections Department is powerless to stop a prisoner's internet blog about life behind bars, and doesn't see anything wrong with it anyway. Tim Selwyn has used a web log to criticise the judge who sentenced him and to write details of the jailyard assault of a prisoner.
The site says Selwyn, jailed this month after a rare sedition - inciting rebellion against the state - conviction as well as on fraud charges, will write regular instalments about life behind bars during his 17-month sentence. National MP Simon Power has called on Corrections to stop Selwyn's "travelogue", but the department's chief executive, Barry Matthews, yesterday said that he had no intention of doing that."
Destination North East:Harnessing the regional potential of migration / IRRP, 31 Jul 2006
PDF - http://www.ippr.org/ecomm/files/destination_northeast.pdf
Rachel Pillai
"While migration will almost certainly remain an issue of national consideration, it is increasingly clear that addressing the opportunities and challenges it poses is likely to require regional action. This report examines the experience of migration in the North East of England and how policy interventions might help the region better harness its potential to facilitate economic growth. It incorporates fresh data on the scale of migration and observations on its impacts in the region."
Rachel Pillai
"While migration will almost certainly remain an issue of national consideration, it is increasingly clear that addressing the opportunities and challenges it poses is likely to require regional action. This report examines the experience of migration in the North East of England and how policy interventions might help the region better harness its potential to facilitate economic growth. It incorporates fresh data on the scale of migration and observations on its impacts in the region."
Implementing the Third Money Laundering Directive: a consultation document / H M Treasury, 31 Jul 2006
PDF - http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/B60/AC/moneylaundering310706.pdf
"HM Treasury is conducting a consultation on the Government's proposed implementation of the Third Money Laundering Directive. The Directive was adopted in October 2005 and will need to be implemented into UK law by December 2007. The aim of the Directive was to update European legislation in line with the Financial Action Task Force recommendations. T he purpose of this consultation document is to seek views on our proposals for implementation into UK legislation. This consultation document sets outs our proposed implementation for the articles of the Directive. It also contains a Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment (PRIA) and poses a number of questions to which interested parties are invited to respond. Consultees have until 20th October 2006 to respond."
"HM Treasury is conducting a consultation on the Government's proposed implementation of the Third Money Laundering Directive. The Directive was adopted in October 2005 and will need to be implemented into UK law by December 2007. The aim of the Directive was to update European legislation in line with the Financial Action Task Force recommendations. T he purpose of this consultation document is to seek views on our proposals for implementation into UK legislation. This consultation document sets outs our proposed implementation for the articles of the Directive. It also contains a Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment (PRIA) and poses a number of questions to which interested parties are invited to respond. Consultees have until 20th October 2006 to respond."
Blogging from prison raises 'whole new set of issues' / Stuff New Zealand, 31 July 2006
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3749677a11,00.html
"A prisoner's ability to post letters on a website has raised a new set of issues, Prime Minister Helen Clark said. Political activist Tim Selwyn is using a current affairs website to describe life behind bars in Mt Eden Prison, and the Corrections Department says he has not acted illegally.
Selwyn was jailed for two months on a sedition charge following his involvement in an axe attack on Miss Clark's electorate office. He has published accounts of violence in the prison yard, criticised the judge who sentenced him and argued that the foreshore and seabed legislation is illegal on http://www.tumeke.blogspot.com/. Miss Clark said his actions raised questions. "It used to be that when you were put away, you were put away from society," she said on NewstalkZB. "With the Internet, you send your letters off electronically and then someone else can very easily put them on a blog. It raises a whole new set of issues." "
"A prisoner's ability to post letters on a website has raised a new set of issues, Prime Minister Helen Clark said. Political activist Tim Selwyn is using a current affairs website to describe life behind bars in Mt Eden Prison, and the Corrections Department says he has not acted illegally.
Selwyn was jailed for two months on a sedition charge following his involvement in an axe attack on Miss Clark's electorate office. He has published accounts of violence in the prison yard, criticised the judge who sentenced him and argued that the foreshore and seabed legislation is illegal on http://www.tumeke.blogspot.com/. Miss Clark said his actions raised questions. "It used to be that when you were put away, you were put away from society," she said on NewstalkZB. "With the Internet, you send your letters off electronically and then someone else can very easily put them on a blog. It raises a whole new set of issues." "
CONNECTING THE DOTS : How forensic DNA may finally fulfill its promise / Seed Magazine, 31 Jul 2006
http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/07/connecting_the_dots.php
Simon Cooper
"DNA profiling is far from the investigator's trick of choice; in fact, to many police forces in the US, it's an exotic and expensive forensic luxury. Nowhere has this been felt more acutely than in investigations of the missing and the unidentified dead. The frustrating reality for those involved in actual cases is that, despite the progress in DNA fingerprinting, there exists no functional national system giving investigators universal access to forensic DNA resources—neither the ability to collect DNA from relatives of the missing, nor the facility to access data from investigations that do produce DNA."
Simon Cooper
"DNA profiling is far from the investigator's trick of choice; in fact, to many police forces in the US, it's an exotic and expensive forensic luxury. Nowhere has this been felt more acutely than in investigations of the missing and the unidentified dead. The frustrating reality for those involved in actual cases is that, despite the progress in DNA fingerprinting, there exists no functional national system giving investigators universal access to forensic DNA resources—neither the ability to collect DNA from relatives of the missing, nor the facility to access data from investigations that do produce DNA."
UK Prison facts and figures / BBC, 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/uk_prisons_in_the_uk/html/1.stm
By region, offence, social status, suicides, overcrowding, etc.
By region, offence, social status, suicides, overcrowding, etc.
Locating Cell Phones Inside Prisons / Cellular News, 31 Jul 2006
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/18558.php
"Cellular phones have become the latest epidemic in prison contraband, posing a danger that extends beyond prison walls. Correctional authorities have indicated that cellular phones have become more valuable inside a prison than drugs or other contraband, and are often referred to as the new prison cash because inmates can sell minutes or cellular phone use to other inmates.
The GEO Group, the second largest private prison management company in the USA, says that it is now implementing a new application of patented high-tech equipment for detecting and locating hidden contraband cellular phones (even if the phone is not transmitting or even turned off)."
"Cellular phones have become the latest epidemic in prison contraband, posing a danger that extends beyond prison walls. Correctional authorities have indicated that cellular phones have become more valuable inside a prison than drugs or other contraband, and are often referred to as the new prison cash because inmates can sell minutes or cellular phone use to other inmates.
The GEO Group, the second largest private prison management company in the USA, says that it is now implementing a new application of patented high-tech equipment for detecting and locating hidden contraband cellular phones (even if the phone is not transmitting or even turned off)."
Organised Crime Threats to the UK / SOCA, 31 Jul 2006
http://www.soca.gov.uk/orgCrime/index.html
"Organised crime covers a very wide range of activity and individuals involved in a number of crime sectors. The most damaging sectors to the UK are judged to be trafficking of Class A drugs, organised immigration crime and fraud. In addition, there are a wide range of other threats, including high tech crime, counterfeiting, the use of firearms by serious criminals, serious robbery, organised vehicle crime, cultural property crime and others."
Drug Trafficking
Organised Immigration Crime
Individual & Private Sector Fraud
Money Laundering
THE UNITED KINGDOM THREAT ASSESSMENT OF SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME
PDF - http://www.soca.gov.uk/assessPublications/downloads/threat_assess_unclass_250706.pdf
"Organised crime covers a very wide range of activity and individuals involved in a number of crime sectors. The most damaging sectors to the UK are judged to be trafficking of Class A drugs, organised immigration crime and fraud. In addition, there are a wide range of other threats, including high tech crime, counterfeiting, the use of firearms by serious criminals, serious robbery, organised vehicle crime, cultural property crime and others."
Drug Trafficking
Organised Immigration Crime
Individual & Private Sector Fraud
Money Laundering
THE UNITED KINGDOM THREAT ASSESSMENT OF SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME
PDF - http://www.soca.gov.uk/assessPublications/downloads/threat_assess_unclass_250706.pdf
Drug classification: making a hash of it? Science and Technology - Fifth Report / Parliament, Science and Technology Committee, July 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdxn
"This Report addresses the relationship between scientific advice and evidence and the classification of illegal drugs."
PDF - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmsctech/1031/1031.pdf
"This Report addresses the relationship between scientific advice and evidence and the classification of illegal drugs."
PDF - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmsctech/1031/1031.pdf
Scandal of how the Government treats those coming to the UK needs a full response / IASUK, July 2005 - released by the Government on 25 July 2006
http://www.iasuk.org/C2B/PressOffice/display.asp?ID=327&Type=2
"“The 2005 Report of the Independent Monitor, only released by the Government on 25 July 2006, raises serious issues which Parliament and the Government must address” said Keith Best, Chief Executive of IAS. Parliament flouted, fees unlawful and disproportionate compared with Schengen countries, wrongful removal of immigration categories, increased wrongful refusals, unlawful discrimination on nationality and social class, denial of entitlement of rights of appeal to 46,000, Government inactivity, stereotyping of applicants – the sorry state of how we treat those who want to come to the UK revealed in the Independent Monitor’s Report 2005 .
Report:
PDF - http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/aboutus/independantracemonitor.pdf
Home Secretary's response to the Independet Race Monitor - July 2005
PDF - http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/aboutus/independantracemonitorrespo1.pdf
"“The 2005 Report of the Independent Monitor, only released by the Government on 25 July 2006, raises serious issues which Parliament and the Government must address” said Keith Best, Chief Executive of IAS. Parliament flouted, fees unlawful and disproportionate compared with Schengen countries, wrongful removal of immigration categories, increased wrongful refusals, unlawful discrimination on nationality and social class, denial of entitlement of rights of appeal to 46,000, Government inactivity, stereotyping of applicants – the sorry state of how we treat those who want to come to the UK revealed in the Independent Monitor’s Report 2005 .
Report:
PDF - http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/aboutus/independantracemonitor.pdf
Home Secretary's response to the Independet Race Monitor - July 2005
PDF - http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/aboutus/independantracemonitorrespo1.pdf
UK prison service 'institutionally corrupt' / 24Dash, 31 Jul 2006
http://www.24dash.com/news/7/8674/index.htm
Jon Land
"UK prison service 'institutionally corrupt'. More than 1,000 prison officers are believed to be involved in corruption, according to a leaked report into the Prison Service. The damaging report, which is the result of an investigation more than a year long, concludes that while most staff operate in an honest way, a significant number of officers are involved in corrupt practices."
Jon Land
"UK prison service 'institutionally corrupt'. More than 1,000 prison officers are believed to be involved in corruption, according to a leaked report into the Prison Service. The damaging report, which is the result of an investigation more than a year long, concludes that while most staff operate in an honest way, a significant number of officers are involved in corrupt practices."
Parents could be fined $50,000 for raging kids / Local London, 31 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdwr
Carlene Thomas-Bailey
"Parents in Wandsworth could be forced to pay up to £5,000 in compensation for damage caused by their children. As part of a new Government initiative to curb antisocial behaviour, Parental Compensation Orders (PCOs) are being introduced into the borough."
Carlene Thomas-Bailey
"Parents in Wandsworth could be forced to pay up to £5,000 in compensation for damage caused by their children. As part of a new Government initiative to curb antisocial behaviour, Parental Compensation Orders (PCOs) are being introduced into the borough."
Sunday, July 30, 2006
[Australia] Issues in the news: Knife culture / The Age, 31 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdsw
Vikki Leone
"Why do some people carry knives? Often those who carry weapons say they do so because of the threat of violence. They feel safer carrying a weapon and knives are accessible and easily concealed. Young people can also carry knives to be part of a macho culture. During the past six months, State Parliament security officers have confiscated 30 knives. The weapons, including large hunting knives, flick knives and other blades, were taken from visiting schoolchildren. The fear is that if young people carry knives - even if they have no intention of using them - when affected by stress or alcohol they may behave with little awareness of the damage they may inflict. Has there been an increase in knife-related crimes?"
Vikki Leone
"Why do some people carry knives? Often those who carry weapons say they do so because of the threat of violence. They feel safer carrying a weapon and knives are accessible and easily concealed. Young people can also carry knives to be part of a macho culture. During the past six months, State Parliament security officers have confiscated 30 knives. The weapons, including large hunting knives, flick knives and other blades, were taken from visiting schoolchildren. The fear is that if young people carry knives - even if they have no intention of using them - when affected by stress or alcohol they may behave with little awareness of the damage they may inflict. Has there been an increase in knife-related crimes?"
Never let the facts get in the way / The Age, 31 Jul 2006
James Button
"London can seem like a heavy place at times. The yellow police notices go up regularly beside our park: a man bashed here, a woman assaulted. Such stories get massive coverage in the media, signs of the times. Except that they aren't. The good news, revealed last week, is that the murder rate in England and Wales has fallen for the third year in a row, the first sustained fall since the 1960s. Violent crime is slightly up, partly because London has seen a recent surge of muggings of young people carrying mobile phones, iPods and laptops. Yet all crime has fallen 44 per cent since its peak in 1995. A Briton is less likely to be a victim of crime than at any time since 1981. But here's the paradox: many Brits don't believe it. The proportion of people who see crime as society's most important issue has nearly doubled, to 40 per cent, since 1997. A significant minority actually think crime is rising. Why?"
"London can seem like a heavy place at times. The yellow police notices go up regularly beside our park: a man bashed here, a woman assaulted. Such stories get massive coverage in the media, signs of the times. Except that they aren't. The good news, revealed last week, is that the murder rate in England and Wales has fallen for the third year in a row, the first sustained fall since the 1960s. Violent crime is slightly up, partly because London has seen a recent surge of muggings of young people carrying mobile phones, iPods and laptops. Yet all crime has fallen 44 per cent since its peak in 1995. A Briton is less likely to be a victim of crime than at any time since 1981. But here's the paradox: many Brits don't believe it. The proportion of people who see crime as society's most important issue has nearly doubled, to 40 per cent, since 1997. A significant minority actually think crime is rising. Why?"
Understanding Your Duty / Fawcett Society, July 2006
PDF - http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/documents/UnderstandingYourDuty.pdf
"The new gender equality duty should impact on the criminal justice system."
"The new gender equality duty should impact on the criminal justice system."
Doing your duty / Fawcett Society, July 2006
PDF - http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/documents/Doing%20your%20duty.pdf
"A practical guide for policy makers and practitioners in the criminal justice system on how to prepare for the new gender equality duty."
"A practical guide for policy makers and practitioners in the criminal justice system on how to prepare for the new gender equality duty."
Internet fraud slips through police fingers, says Attorney General / Register, 26 Jul 2006
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07/26/internet_fraud_report/
OUT-LAW.COM
"Report calls for coordinated clampdown: Internet fraud accounts for eight per cent of all fraud in the UK, according to the Attorney General's office, which says that fraud costs the UK billions of pounds every year. Attorney General Lord Goldsmith has published the final report of his fraud review and has found that internet fraud can sometimes slip through current policing procedures and cost users and businesses dearly."
Fraud Review - PDF - http://www.lslo.gov.uk/pdf/FraudReview.pdf
OUT-LAW.COM
"Report calls for coordinated clampdown: Internet fraud accounts for eight per cent of all fraud in the UK, according to the Attorney General's office, which says that fraud costs the UK billions of pounds every year. Attorney General Lord Goldsmith has published the final report of his fraud review and has found that internet fraud can sometimes slip through current policing procedures and cost users and businesses dearly."
Fraud Review - PDF - http://www.lslo.gov.uk/pdf/FraudReview.pdf
Confessions of a Cybermule / Wired, 28 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdss
Kim Zetter
"Dillinger typifies the thieves who are carving out a living on the bottom rung of the growing international cybercrime industry. Congregating on members-only web forums, where they take assignments from more technically sophisticated criminals, many have only moderate computer skills. They are the mules of electronic fraud, filling a vital role at the intersection of the virtual and the real: converting stolen account information into cold, hard cash."
Kim Zetter
"Dillinger typifies the thieves who are carving out a living on the bottom rung of the growing international cybercrime industry. Congregating on members-only web forums, where they take assignments from more technically sophisticated criminals, many have only moderate computer skills. They are the mules of electronic fraud, filling a vital role at the intersection of the virtual and the real: converting stolen account information into cold, hard cash."
A comparison of how young people from different ethnic groups experience leaving school / JRF, July 2006
PDF - http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/9781859354841.pdf
Clare Cassidy, Rory O’Connor and Nike Dorrer
"Although there has been considerable research into the transition to adulthood, few studies have focused on how experiences vary according to ethnicity and gender. This report seeks to address gaps in current knowledge by exploring and comparing the experiences of young people from different ethnic groups."
Clare Cassidy, Rory O’Connor and Nike Dorrer
"Although there has been considerable research into the transition to adulthood, few studies have focused on how experiences vary according to ethnicity and gender. This report seeks to address gaps in current knowledge by exploring and comparing the experiences of young people from different ethnic groups."
Keeping the 'Watch' in Terrorism Watch Lists / Jurist Forum, 25 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdsn
Daniel Steinbock - University of Toledo College of Law
"Although watch lists may play a useful role in a broader terrorism prevention, their operation and consequences should be restricted and controlled in recognition of their limitations...."
Daniel Steinbock - University of Toledo College of Law
"Although watch lists may play a useful role in a broader terrorism prevention, their operation and consequences should be restricted and controlled in recognition of their limitations...."
[USA] Terror watch list inefficient: Homeland Security report / Jurist PaperChase,
http://digbig.com/4mdsm
Jaime Jansen
"A terror watch list [FBI FAQ] designed to keep suspected terrorist from entering the United States through one of 324 points of entry is vague and ineffective, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) [official website] Inspector General Richard Skinner [official profile] said. Skinner released an unclassified version of a report [PDF text] on actions taken to intercept suspected terrorists at US ports of entry, which found that travelers with names similar to those on the watch list can be questioned for hours and that officials often fail to report details of encounters with suspected terrorists, thereby wasting border officials time and harming intelligence analysis of suspected terrorists. Without proper reporting of each encounter with suspected terrorists and people with similar names, innocent travelers become subject to questioning by officials repeatedly [NYT report]."
Jaime Jansen
"A terror watch list [FBI FAQ] designed to keep suspected terrorist from entering the United States through one of 324 points of entry is vague and ineffective, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) [official website] Inspector General Richard Skinner [official profile] said. Skinner released an unclassified version of a report [PDF text] on actions taken to intercept suspected terrorists at US ports of entry, which found that travelers with names similar to those on the watch list can be questioned for hours and that officials often fail to report details of encounters with suspected terrorists, thereby wasting border officials time and harming intelligence analysis of suspected terrorists. Without proper reporting of each encounter with suspected terrorists and people with similar names, innocent travelers become subject to questioning by officials repeatedly [NYT report]."
Meta tag abusers face 20 years in prison under US law / OUT-LAW News, 27 Jul 2006
http://www.out-law.com/default.aspx?page=7142
"The US has passed legislation which controls what website operators are allowed to put in their site meta tags. The law bans the use of words which might lead anyone to obscene content.
The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act is named after a six-year-old who was abducted in 1981 and killed. His parents have since dedicated their lives to protecting children from child predators. The law is designed to stop sites with potentially offensive material using meta tags to attract viewers under false pretences. It refers to the labels and meta tags which are seen by many search engines but not by users of sites."
"The US has passed legislation which controls what website operators are allowed to put in their site meta tags. The law bans the use of words which might lead anyone to obscene content.
The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act is named after a six-year-old who was abducted in 1981 and killed. His parents have since dedicated their lives to protecting children from child predators. The law is designed to stop sites with potentially offensive material using meta tags to attract viewers under false pretences. It refers to the labels and meta tags which are seen by many search engines but not by users of sites."
Researchers 'text mine' The New York Times / Science Blog, 27 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdsk
"Performing what a team of dedicated and bleary-eyed newspaper librarians would need months to do, scientists at UC Irvine have used an up-and-coming technology to complete in hours a complex topic analysis of 330,000 stories published primarily by The New York Times.
The demonstration is significant because it is one of the earliest showing that an extremely efficient, yet very complicated, technology called text mining is on the brink of becoming a tool useful to more than highly trained computer programmers and homeland security experts." [I & KM]
"Performing what a team of dedicated and bleary-eyed newspaper librarians would need months to do, scientists at UC Irvine have used an up-and-coming technology to complete in hours a complex topic analysis of 330,000 stories published primarily by The New York Times.
The demonstration is significant because it is one of the earliest showing that an extremely efficient, yet very complicated, technology called text mining is on the brink of becoming a tool useful to more than highly trained computer programmers and homeland security experts." [I & KM]
[USA] Confronting Confinement / Commission on Safety and Abuse in America’s Prisons, July 2006
PDF - http://www.prisoncommission.org/pdfs/Confronting_Confinement.pdf
"A report on violence and abuse in U.S. jails and prisons, the impact of those problems on public safety and public health, and how correctional facilities nationwide can become safer and more effective."
"A report on violence and abuse in U.S. jails and prisons, the impact of those problems on public safety and public health, and how correctional facilities nationwide can become safer and more effective."
Anti-Corruption in Transition 3: Who is succedding... and why? / World bank, July 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdsj
Lead Authors: James Anderson and Cheryl Gray
"In the 16 years since the start of transition in the former socialist economies of Europe and Central Asia, corruption has been a pivotal issue. This report is the third in a series of studies examining the patterns and trends in corruption in the region. The findings are promising: The extensive reforms in the region in cutting red tape, simplifying taxes, and strengthening audits, among others, are reducing the opportunities for corruption and showing real results on the ground in many countries, with firms reporting bribery to be less frequent and in smaller amounts. There remain, however, important reasons to reinforce and accelerate reforms. Corruption is not falling in all countries or all sectors, and even the most successful reformers still tend to have higher levels of corruption than in Western Europe. Corruption continues to weigh most heavily on new private firms that are the engine of growth and employment in the region."
PDF - http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTECA/Resources/ACT3.pdf
Lead Authors: James Anderson and Cheryl Gray
"In the 16 years since the start of transition in the former socialist economies of Europe and Central Asia, corruption has been a pivotal issue. This report is the third in a series of studies examining the patterns and trends in corruption in the region. The findings are promising: The extensive reforms in the region in cutting red tape, simplifying taxes, and strengthening audits, among others, are reducing the opportunities for corruption and showing real results on the ground in many countries, with firms reporting bribery to be less frequent and in smaller amounts. There remain, however, important reasons to reinforce and accelerate reforms. Corruption is not falling in all countries or all sectors, and even the most successful reformers still tend to have higher levels of corruption than in Western Europe. Corruption continues to weigh most heavily on new private firms that are the engine of growth and employment in the region."
PDF - http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTECA/Resources/ACT3.pdf
Improving Criminal History Records for Background Checks, 2005 /U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, July 2006
PDF - http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/ichrbc05.htm
“Describes the achievements of the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP), its authorizing legislation, and program history. This program report summarizes NCHIP-funded criminal record improvement efforts, including improved accessibility of records, full participation in the Interstate Identification Index, the automation of records and fingerprint data, and improvements in the National Instant Criminal Background Check, National Sex Offender Registry, and domestic violence and protection order systems. The report provides examples of projects aimed at enhancing the involvement of the courts and system integration in improving disposition reporting. The report also discusses the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ efforts to improve performance measurement including the development and use of a Records Quality Index.”
“Describes the achievements of the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP), its authorizing legislation, and program history. This program report summarizes NCHIP-funded criminal record improvement efforts, including improved accessibility of records, full participation in the Interstate Identification Index, the automation of records and fingerprint data, and improvements in the National Instant Criminal Background Check, National Sex Offender Registry, and domestic violence and protection order systems. The report provides examples of projects aimed at enhancing the involvement of the courts and system integration in improving disposition reporting. The report also discusses the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ efforts to improve performance measurement including the development and use of a Records Quality Index.”
In Search of Security: The Future of Policing in Canada / Law Commission of Canada, July 2006
PDF - http://www.lcc.gc.ca/pdf/LCC_Report_E%2022-03-06.pdf
“For most of the last two centuries, policing has been associated primarily with modern public police institutions. However, the contemporary reality of policing presents a rather different picture. Canada — and, indeed, much of the world — is in the midst of a transformation in how policing services are delivered and understood. Today, it is more accurate to suggest that policing is carried out by a complex mix of public police and private security. In many cases these networks of policing are overlapping, complimentary and mutually supportive. This new era of pluralized policing raises questions concerning the existing legal and regulatory environment and whether it continues to be relevant. This Report provides an opportunity to reflect on these important issues.”
“For most of the last two centuries, policing has been associated primarily with modern public police institutions. However, the contemporary reality of policing presents a rather different picture. Canada — and, indeed, much of the world — is in the midst of a transformation in how policing services are delivered and understood. Today, it is more accurate to suggest that policing is carried out by a complex mix of public police and private security. In many cases these networks of policing are overlapping, complimentary and mutually supportive. This new era of pluralized policing raises questions concerning the existing legal and regulatory environment and whether it continues to be relevant. This Report provides an opportunity to reflect on these important issues.”
Public-Private Partnerships for Development: A Handbook for Business / Committee for Economic Development and USAID, July 2006
PDF - http://www.ced.org/docs/2006usaid_partnership.pdf
"This handbook focuses on a narrower set of arrangements in which businesses, government and civil society come together to address a country’s social and economic development needs in such areas as education, health and micro-enterprise. Typically, these types of partnerships can be placed under one of four categories: (1) advocacy, (2) developing norms and standards, (3) sharing and coordinating resources and expertise, and (4) harnessing markets for development.”
"This handbook focuses on a narrower set of arrangements in which businesses, government and civil society come together to address a country’s social and economic development needs in such areas as education, health and micro-enterprise. Typically, these types of partnerships can be placed under one of four categories: (1) advocacy, (2) developing norms and standards, (3) sharing and coordinating resources and expertise, and (4) harnessing markets for development.”
Influence of Sex Offender Registration and Notification Laws in the United States / Arkansas Crime Information Center, July 2006
PDF - http://www.acic.org/statistics/Research/SO_Report_Final.pdf
"“The key finding is that such laws have had no systematic influence on the number of rapes committed in States with these laws. Most of the 10 States examined showed no significant difference in the average number of rapes committed before and after the passage of sex offender laws. Three of the States showed a decrease in the number of rapes after enacting such laws. One State had a statistically significant increase in the number of rapes. Based on the study’s findings and conflicting explanations of what they mean, the authors recommend that future research use cities as the unit of analysis, focus on sex offender recidivism before and after the enforcement of sex offender laws, increase the sample size, and allow for a follow-up period of at least 3 years. A literature review found little empirical evidence regarding the influence of sex offender laws; the few empirical studies that have been conducted found no significant influence of these policies on sex offender reoffending. "
"“The key finding is that such laws have had no systematic influence on the number of rapes committed in States with these laws. Most of the 10 States examined showed no significant difference in the average number of rapes committed before and after the passage of sex offender laws. Three of the States showed a decrease in the number of rapes after enacting such laws. One State had a statistically significant increase in the number of rapes. Based on the study’s findings and conflicting explanations of what they mean, the authors recommend that future research use cities as the unit of analysis, focus on sex offender recidivism before and after the enforcement of sex offender laws, increase the sample size, and allow for a follow-up period of at least 3 years. A literature review found little empirical evidence regarding the influence of sex offender laws; the few empirical studies that have been conducted found no significant influence of these policies on sex offender reoffending. "
We need to talk numbers on immigration / The Sunday Times. 30 Jul 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2088-2291266,00.html
Minette Marrin
"The home secretary must talk openly and accurately about numbers. Of course immigrants are good for a society, up to a point. New Labour has offered no serious consideration of that point. Nor has it demonstrated that an open door is good for the economy; the real argument is the other way. What we need is rational and controlled immigration; until we have rational and controlled politicians and civil servants, we are hardly likely to get it."
Minette Marrin
"The home secretary must talk openly and accurately about numbers. Of course immigrants are good for a society, up to a point. New Labour has offered no serious consideration of that point. Nor has it demonstrated that an open door is good for the economy; the real argument is the other way. What we need is rational and controlled immigration; until we have rational and controlled politicians and civil servants, we are hardly likely to get it."
Involving the community in crime and disorder reduction
http://www.pavpub.com/pavpub/journals/CSJ/
Community Safety Journal, Vol 5 Issue 3 June 2006, p.39+
Sarah Morton - [Sub required]
Community Safety Journal, Vol 5 Issue 3 June 2006, p.39+
Sarah Morton - [Sub required]
Responding to the unequal distribution of crime
Community Safety Journal, Vol 5 Issue 3 June 2006, p.29+
PDF - http://www.pavpub.com/pavpub/journals/CSJ/
Lucy Stone - [Sub required]
PDF - http://www.pavpub.com/pavpub/journals/CSJ/
Lucy Stone - [Sub required]
Research Responding to anti-social behaviour: reconcilingtop-down imperatives with bottom-up emotions
http://www.pavpub.com/pavpub/journals/CSJ/thismonthssample.pdf
Community Safety Journal, Vol 5 Issue 3 June 2006, p20+
Kathryn Farrow and David Prior - [Sub required]
Community Safety Journal, Vol 5 Issue 3 June 2006, p20+
Kathryn Farrow and David Prior - [Sub required]
Government U-turn on free information / Sunday times, 30 Jul 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2291779,00.html
David Cracknell
"MINISTERS are to perform a U-turn on their commitment to open government by seeking to reduce the amount of information released to the public. A confidential cabinet paper reveals that 18 months after Labour introduced laws allowing free access to government documents, it wants to block “the most difficult requests”. The move by Lord Falconer, the constitutional affairs secretary, comes after a series of disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act have embarrassed ministers."
David Cracknell
"MINISTERS are to perform a U-turn on their commitment to open government by seeking to reduce the amount of information released to the public. A confidential cabinet paper reveals that 18 months after Labour introduced laws allowing free access to government documents, it wants to block “the most difficult requests”. The move by Lord Falconer, the constitutional affairs secretary, comes after a series of disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act have embarrassed ministers."
Nanodog that can sniff out explosives / IcWales, 26 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdry
Aled Blake, Western Mail
"WELSH scientists have developed a sensor they call a nanodog which is capable of "sniffing" out microscopic low levels of explosives. It is hoped the technology will be used in the fight against terrorism, with airports and governments already showing an interest. The nanodog was developed by a team from the University of Wales, Bangor's school of chemistry, led by Professor Maher Kalaji."
Aled Blake, Western Mail
"WELSH scientists have developed a sensor they call a nanodog which is capable of "sniffing" out microscopic low levels of explosives. It is hoped the technology will be used in the fight against terrorism, with airports and governments already showing an interest. The nanodog was developed by a team from the University of Wales, Bangor's school of chemistry, led by Professor Maher Kalaji."
Secret report warns of migration meltdown in Britain / Daily Mail, 29t Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdrx
SIMON WALTERS,
"The Mail on Sunday reveals that the new wave of immigration is causing as much social strife in Eastern Europe as it is in Britain. Our investigation found Poles are dumping children in local care homes so they can travel to Britain. Some reportedly killed themselves after being left behind. A leaked document entitled Migration From Eastern Europe: Impact On Public Services And Community Cohesion, says amassive rise in immigration next year could trigger a devastating crisis in Britain's schools, housing and welfare services."
SIMON WALTERS,
"The Mail on Sunday reveals that the new wave of immigration is causing as much social strife in Eastern Europe as it is in Britain. Our investigation found Poles are dumping children in local care homes so they can travel to Britain. Some reportedly killed themselves after being left behind. A leaked document entitled Migration From Eastern Europe: Impact On Public Services And Community Cohesion, says amassive rise in immigration next year could trigger a devastating crisis in Britain's schools, housing and welfare services."
How an Asbo saved my life / Manchester Evening News, 26 July 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdrw
Jenny Thomson
A FORMER teenage tearaway who now spends her time helping others has told how an Asbo changed her life. Jenny Thomson, from Rochdale, was 16 when she was given the order in 2004 after drunkenly attacking strangers, vandalising public gardens and hurling racial abuse at people. But two years on she now dedicates herself to helping others through community volunteering schemes- and she credits magistrates for putting her on the right track."
Jenny Thomson
A FORMER teenage tearaway who now spends her time helping others has told how an Asbo changed her life. Jenny Thomson, from Rochdale, was 16 when she was given the order in 2004 after drunkenly attacking strangers, vandalising public gardens and hurling racial abuse at people. But two years on she now dedicates herself to helping others through community volunteering schemes- and she credits magistrates for putting her on the right track."
[USA] NEW JUVENILE HALL DELIVERS A MESSAGE SKYLIGHTS, SOFTER COLORS EVIDENT / Mercury News, 30 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdrs
Karen de Sá
"New architecture for juvenile justice is nearing completion in the foothills of San Mateo County -- designed to give young offenders the support they need to turn away from crime and thrive.
At the county's new $148 million youth services complex, the premise is treatment, not punishment. Unlike other California counties that are greatly expanding their juvenile halls, San Mateo added only a few lockup beds and instead created homier settings for girls, substance abusers and the mentally ill. The juvenile hall is surrounded by a network of services for young people in trouble, from run-amok kids who exhaust their parents to teens who kill."
Karen de Sá
"New architecture for juvenile justice is nearing completion in the foothills of San Mateo County -- designed to give young offenders the support they need to turn away from crime and thrive.
At the county's new $148 million youth services complex, the premise is treatment, not punishment. Unlike other California counties that are greatly expanding their juvenile halls, San Mateo added only a few lockup beds and instead created homier settings for girls, substance abusers and the mentally ill. The juvenile hall is surrounded by a network of services for young people in trouble, from run-amok kids who exhaust their parents to teens who kill."
[USA] Inmates target strictest officers / Baltimore sun, 30 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdrr
Greg Garland
"Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary also said Maryland's prison system, as is the case for others around the country, is dealing with more violent gang members as part of the prison population. "I think the more that you ratchet down on inmates and make sure they are following your rules and regulations, initially there is going to be a reaction," Saar said. But Saar said it is important that prison staff send a firm message that they - not inmates - control the institutions. "We are going to run an efficient, safe and secure system, and I don't care if the inmates don't like that," Saar said."
Greg Garland
"Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary also said Maryland's prison system, as is the case for others around the country, is dealing with more violent gang members as part of the prison population. "I think the more that you ratchet down on inmates and make sure they are following your rules and regulations, initially there is going to be a reaction," Saar said. But Saar said it is important that prison staff send a firm message that they - not inmates - control the institutions. "We are going to run an efficient, safe and secure system, and I don't care if the inmates don't like that," Saar said."
[Sweden] Illegal immigrants in Sweden face a stark choice: life or death, what can you afford? / Sunday Herald, 30 Jul 2006
http://www.sundayherald.com/56991
Linda Andersson Burnett and Allan Burnett
"According to Picum, which has compiled a league table of illegal immigrants’ access to basic healthcare across Europe, the situation in law and in practice varies greatly across the continent. Whereas undocumented migrants in Spain have the same free access to healthcare as Spanish citizens, in Sweden the state only provides so-called “emergency” treatment – which patients have to purchase. This puts Sweden, together with Austria, which has a similar policy, at the bottom of the table. Countries such as Germany, Portugal and Denmark, which are also low on the list for only providing emergency treatment, are at least providing this service free of charge. Sweden has also been criticised by the UN for its healthcare record, with health spokesman Paul Hunt accusing the country of unfair discrimination against people who had not been granted asylum. Critics also point out that Sweden’s policy does not comply with the World Health Organisation’s recommendations on International Migration, Health & Human Rights." [Immigration - Economic...]
Linda Andersson Burnett and Allan Burnett
"According to Picum, which has compiled a league table of illegal immigrants’ access to basic healthcare across Europe, the situation in law and in practice varies greatly across the continent. Whereas undocumented migrants in Spain have the same free access to healthcare as Spanish citizens, in Sweden the state only provides so-called “emergency” treatment – which patients have to purchase. This puts Sweden, together with Austria, which has a similar policy, at the bottom of the table. Countries such as Germany, Portugal and Denmark, which are also low on the list for only providing emergency treatment, are at least providing this service free of charge. Sweden has also been criticised by the UN for its healthcare record, with health spokesman Paul Hunt accusing the country of unfair discrimination against people who had not been granted asylum. Critics also point out that Sweden’s policy does not comply with the World Health Organisation’s recommendations on International Migration, Health & Human Rights." [Immigration - Economic...]
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Prisoner Survey Reveals Resettlement Failings / Inside Time, July 2006
http://www.insidetime.org/July_06_Articles/surveyresults.htm
"The Inside Time Prisoner Survey 2006 reveals a worrying lack of provision for the resettlement of prisoners before and after release. At a time when the re-offending rate for adult prisoners is nearly 70 per cent, and prisons have never been so full, the Inside Time Survey shows that the Government’s National Offender Management Service (NOMS), which is supposed to coordinate prison, probation and rehabilitation programmes and services, is failing the overwhelming majority of prisoners. The Prisoner Survey 2006 also indicates that it is not tough prison regimes that are needed so much as effective and consistent regimes both inside and outside prison."
"The Inside Time Prisoner Survey 2006 reveals a worrying lack of provision for the resettlement of prisoners before and after release. At a time when the re-offending rate for adult prisoners is nearly 70 per cent, and prisons have never been so full, the Inside Time Survey shows that the Government’s National Offender Management Service (NOMS), which is supposed to coordinate prison, probation and rehabilitation programmes and services, is failing the overwhelming majority of prisoners. The Prisoner Survey 2006 also indicates that it is not tough prison regimes that are needed so much as effective and consistent regimes both inside and outside prison."
[Sweden] Fugitive 'entitled to state benefits' / The Local, 28 July 2006
http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=4454&date=20060728
"A man wanted by Swedish justice for fraud can live in the west African state Togo for the rest of his life, supported by Swedish tax money. This week one of Sweden’s highest judicial figures decided that the Social Insurance Office should pay him interest and legal costs after it tried to stop his sick benefits. The man, age 54, disappeared to Togo, western Africa, in 2002 after an initial court hearing over accusations of serious fraud. In October 2002 a court remanded him in custody in his absence." [Immigration - Economic Aspects]
"A man wanted by Swedish justice for fraud can live in the west African state Togo for the rest of his life, supported by Swedish tax money. This week one of Sweden’s highest judicial figures decided that the Social Insurance Office should pay him interest and legal costs after it tried to stop his sick benefits. The man, age 54, disappeared to Togo, western Africa, in 2002 after an initial court hearing over accusations of serious fraud. In October 2002 a court remanded him in custody in his absence." [Immigration - Economic Aspects]
Pols undermining Britain's civil service / Japan times, 27 Jul 2006
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20060727hc.html
Hugh Cortazzi
"It was, of course, right to expect that civil servants should put into force the policies of the new government, but it was also their job to give unbiased advice about the possible pitfalls and the legality of government policy. The new ministers did not welcome warnings from civil servants. Layers of political advisers were introduced into government departments determined to ensure that the wishes of ministers were not undermined or thwarted by unelected officials, and that policies were presented in the best way for the government. One or two political advisers were given authority to direct civil servants and the advice of civil servants was filtered through political advisers." [Gov & Pol; Home Office]
Hugh Cortazzi
"It was, of course, right to expect that civil servants should put into force the policies of the new government, but it was also their job to give unbiased advice about the possible pitfalls and the legality of government policy. The new ministers did not welcome warnings from civil servants. Layers of political advisers were introduced into government departments determined to ensure that the wishes of ministers were not undermined or thwarted by unelected officials, and that policies were presented in the best way for the government. One or two political advisers were given authority to direct civil servants and the advice of civil servants was filtered through political advisers." [Gov & Pol; Home Office]
Jordan : Detention and torture of political suspects / Amnesty, 26 Jul 2006
http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/document.do?id=ENGMDE160052006
"Torture and other ill-treatment of political detainees has been a longstanding problem in Jordan, one that remains as persistent today as when Amnesty International began regularly documenting the problem over 20 years ago. Despite the mounting evidence and Jordan's obligations under international human rights treaties, the Jordanian authorities have failed to take effective action either to prevent torture or to punish those responsible. On the contrary, the Jordanian authorities continue to be complicit in torture: they maintain a system of incommunicado detention which facilitates torture and other ill-treatment of detainees and a related special security court whose judgments regularly appear to be based on little more than "confessions" which defendants allege were extracted under torture or other duress."
"Torture and other ill-treatment of political detainees has been a longstanding problem in Jordan, one that remains as persistent today as when Amnesty International began regularly documenting the problem over 20 years ago. Despite the mounting evidence and Jordan's obligations under international human rights treaties, the Jordanian authorities have failed to take effective action either to prevent torture or to punish those responsible. On the contrary, the Jordanian authorities continue to be complicit in torture: they maintain a system of incommunicado detention which facilitates torture and other ill-treatment of detainees and a related special security court whose judgments regularly appear to be based on little more than "confessions" which defendants allege were extracted under torture or other duress."
[Australia] ID plan to stamp out car rebirthing / The Australian, 25 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdkr
Simon Kearney
"POLICE ministers are considering ways to mark car parts with microscopic identifiers to tackle rebirthing, as fears grow that stolen Australian parts are being used to fund terrorism in the Middle East. The national committee of police ministers has ordered a report on the feasibility of compulsory car marking to be ready for consideration by their November meeting. The Australian understands that concern about the export of stolen cars and parts from Australia is growing because intelligence agencies fear that a suspected link to terrorist financing in the Middle East could be real."
Simon Kearney
"POLICE ministers are considering ways to mark car parts with microscopic identifiers to tackle rebirthing, as fears grow that stolen Australian parts are being used to fund terrorism in the Middle East. The national committee of police ministers has ordered a report on the feasibility of compulsory car marking to be ready for consideration by their November meeting. The Australian understands that concern about the export of stolen cars and parts from Australia is growing because intelligence agencies fear that a suspected link to terrorist financing in the Middle East could be real."
[Australia] Chase or not? / Gotcha Blog, 24 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdkq
Gary Hughes
"To chase or not to chase? It’s a question that, when it arises during a police patrol, has to be answered in split seconds. And the consequences can be fatal, either to the pursuing police, other innocent motorists or the driver or passengers in the car being chased. So what is the right answer?"
Gary Hughes
"To chase or not to chase? It’s a question that, when it arises during a police patrol, has to be answered in split seconds. And the consequences can be fatal, either to the pursuing police, other innocent motorists or the driver or passengers in the car being chased. So what is the right answer?"
Violence and Mental Disorders: Data and Public Policy
http://digbig.com/4mdkp
American Journal of Psychiatry 163:1319-1321, August 2006
Paul S. Appelbaum, M.D.
"Violence and mental disorders—rightly or wrongly—appear to be irreversibly linked in the popular mind. Articles in this issue of the Journal shed light on two key questions about this relationship:
To what extent do mental disorders confer a greater risk of violent behavior?
What steps may be helpful in reducing the incidence of violence among those who suffer from mental disorders?"
American Journal of Psychiatry 163:1319-1321, August 2006
Paul S. Appelbaum, M.D.
"Violence and mental disorders—rightly or wrongly—appear to be irreversibly linked in the popular mind. Articles in this issue of the Journal shed light on two key questions about this relationship:
To what extent do mental disorders confer a greater risk of violent behavior?
What steps may be helpful in reducing the incidence of violence among those who suffer from mental disorders?"
Friday, July 28, 2006
Business warns of migration diversion / Financial times, 24 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdhs
Jean Eaglesham
"A crackdown on employers of illegal migrants is a diversionary tactic designed to shift the blame for a "complex and bungled" immigration policy on to industry, a leading business organisation says. The British Chambers of Commerce argues that the employment of illegal migrants - a central theme of tomorrow's shake-up of the immigration system - is only a "minor part" of the problem. It says the main issue is the government's failure to create an education system that is "fit for purpose" and produces employees with the necessary skills and motivation."
Jean Eaglesham
"A crackdown on employers of illegal migrants is a diversionary tactic designed to shift the blame for a "complex and bungled" immigration policy on to industry, a leading business organisation says. The British Chambers of Commerce argues that the employment of illegal migrants - a central theme of tomorrow's shake-up of the immigration system - is only a "minor part" of the problem. It says the main issue is the government's failure to create an education system that is "fit for purpose" and produces employees with the necessary skills and motivation."
Despair as forced marriages stay legal / Times, 24 Jul 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,200-2282623,00.html
Andrew Norfolk
A police chief accuses the Government of abandoning young women to a life of violence.
THE lives of young women might be ruined by the Government’s failure to make forced marriages illegal, a senior police officer has warned. Commander Steve Allen of the Metropolitan Police said that a decision by ministers last month to drop proposed legislation had been greeted by some ethnic minorities as a signal that forced marriage was acceptable."
Andrew Norfolk
A police chief accuses the Government of abandoning young women to a life of violence.
THE lives of young women might be ruined by the Government’s failure to make forced marriages illegal, a senior police officer has warned. Commander Steve Allen of the Metropolitan Police said that a decision by ministers last month to drop proposed legislation had been greeted by some ethnic minorities as a signal that forced marriage was acceptable."
We must help end the sex slave trade / Guardian blog, 23 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdhr
Dennis MacShane
"MPs, lawyers and NGOs back a European convention to help trafficked women escape their plight. One way of tackling this problem has been put forward by the Council of Europe. Thirty European nations have signed this convention; Britain has not."
Dennis MacShane
"MPs, lawyers and NGOs back a European convention to help trafficked women escape their plight. One way of tackling this problem has been put forward by the Council of Europe. Thirty European nations have signed this convention; Britain has not."
'Jihad Jack' co-operated with agents to avoid Cuba / The Australian, 25 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mbxw
Michael Davis
"JAILED terrorist Joseph "Jihad Jack" Thomas co-operated with Australian federal agents without lawyers present while he was in prison in Pakistan because he feared being sent to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Lawyers for the Melbourne man argued before three appeals court judges that Thomas's conviction on terrorism charges should be overturned because he did not give his answers freely in an interview after his arrest in Pakistan."
Michael Davis
"JAILED terrorist Joseph "Jihad Jack" Thomas co-operated with Australian federal agents without lawyers present while he was in prison in Pakistan because he feared being sent to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Lawyers for the Melbourne man argued before three appeals court judges that Thomas's conviction on terrorism charges should be overturned because he did not give his answers freely in an interview after his arrest in Pakistan."
Lean on me… / CIPFA, 28 Jul 2006
http://www.cipfa.org.uk/publicfinance/features_details.cfm?news_id=28346
Zoe Radnor and Paul Walley
"Explains how ‘lean thinking’ is crossing the boundaries and helping public bodies become more efficient. In particular, ‘lean thinking’ has been proposed as one way to achieve substantial savings and quality improvement. In a short space of time, ‘lean’ has become the word on everyone’s lips in the public sector. But this has not been caused by government exhortation – it seems to have gained its own momentum as a means of achieving the Gershon efficiency savings. And now, of course, numerous management consultancies have entered the arena claiming to have a ‘lean’ solution. " [Finance]
Zoe Radnor and Paul Walley
"Explains how ‘lean thinking’ is crossing the boundaries and helping public bodies become more efficient. In particular, ‘lean thinking’ has been proposed as one way to achieve substantial savings and quality improvement. In a short space of time, ‘lean’ has become the word on everyone’s lips in the public sector. But this has not been caused by government exhortation – it seems to have gained its own momentum as a means of achieving the Gershon efficiency savings. And now, of course, numerous management consultancies have entered the arena claiming to have a ‘lean’ solution. " [Finance]
Volatile Substance Abuse Mortality Reports / Department of Community Health Sciences at St George's, University of London, 2006
Web version with links - PDF - http://www.sgul.ac.uk/dms/AF54AFD9D207A9A41D353717989DC4E0.pdf
Printer friendly version - PDF - http://www.sgul.ac.uk/dms/AF55873FC9E502F700521BA40F6B80AA.pdf
Printer friendly version - PDF - http://www.sgul.ac.uk/dms/AF55873FC9E502F700521BA40F6B80AA.pdf
[South Africa] A nation in jail / Moneyweb, 28 Jul 2006
http://www.moneyweb.co.za/economy/economic_trends/802910.htm
Barry Sergeant
"The news rattled across the nation this week: “a national security strategy to combat crime was at the top of the agenda of the South African cabinet’s mid-year Cabinet lekgotla held in Pretoria”. Citizens by the million will be anticipating the outcome, which could be detailed by President Thabo Mbeki at a media conference scheduled for Saturday. Violent crime hit new depths at the end of June, when the so-called Jeppestown massacre in Johannesburg claimed the lives of four policemen and eight robbers armed with heavy-calibre weapons and other deadly hardware. Beyond individual incidents, however, the scale of South Africa’s crime problem has become almost unimaginable. South Africa is technically a war zone." [Country Profiles]
Barry Sergeant
"The news rattled across the nation this week: “a national security strategy to combat crime was at the top of the agenda of the South African cabinet’s mid-year Cabinet lekgotla held in Pretoria”. Citizens by the million will be anticipating the outcome, which could be detailed by President Thabo Mbeki at a media conference scheduled for Saturday. Violent crime hit new depths at the end of June, when the so-called Jeppestown massacre in Johannesburg claimed the lives of four policemen and eight robbers armed with heavy-calibre weapons and other deadly hardware. Beyond individual incidents, however, the scale of South Africa’s crime problem has become almost unimaginable. South Africa is technically a war zone." [Country Profiles]
U.S. set to issue passports with RFID chips / ComputerWorld, 28 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdhk
Marc Songini
"An August deadline will be met despite fears of security experts. Electronic passports improve security by making it harder to forge or alter official documents. All personal information on the chip must precisely match that in the printed portion of the electronic passport. "In the past, it could have been possible to put a new photo inside [a stolen passport] or find someone who looks like the holder. Additionally, if an electronic passport is stolen, the chip has a unique identifying number that can be tracked by law enforcement agencies worldwide."
Marc Songini
"An August deadline will be met despite fears of security experts. Electronic passports improve security by making it harder to forge or alter official documents. All personal information on the chip must precisely match that in the printed portion of the electronic passport. "In the past, it could have been possible to put a new photo inside [a stolen passport] or find someone who looks like the holder. Additionally, if an electronic passport is stolen, the chip has a unique identifying number that can be tracked by law enforcement agencies worldwide."
[New Zealand] Minister denies prison beds are costing $1m each / Stuff, 28 Jul 2006
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3745846a6160,00.html
"The National Party is claiming 530 extra beds added to the Government's prison building programmes are costing nearly $1 million each, but Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor has disputed the figure. Mr O'Connor said there was no $490 million blowout. "The projected costs of the projects has risen, the number of beds that we planned originally at 1000 has gone up to 1600 and there have been issues of the additional costs of concrete and steel in a very buoyant economy," he said. "I'm confident we will build four very good new prisons to deal with the issues ahead of us." [Brief] [top topic]
"The National Party is claiming 530 extra beds added to the Government's prison building programmes are costing nearly $1 million each, but Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor has disputed the figure. Mr O'Connor said there was no $490 million blowout. "The projected costs of the projects has risen, the number of beds that we planned originally at 1000 has gone up to 1600 and there have been issues of the additional costs of concrete and steel in a very buoyant economy," he said. "I'm confident we will build four very good new prisons to deal with the issues ahead of us." [Brief] [top topic]
Violent videos desensitize people / PhysOrg,
http://www.physorg.com/news73230545.html
"Scientists define desensitization to violence as "a reduction in emotion-related physiological reactivity to real violence." Research indicated people who played a violent video game experienced skin response measurements significantly lower than those who had played a non-violent video game. The participants in the violent video game group also had lower heart rates while viewing real-life violence as compared with the non-violent video game group. "The results demonstrate that playing violent video games, even for just 20 minutes, can cause people to become less physiologically aroused by real violence," said Carnagey. "It appears that individuals who play violent video games habituate or 'get used to' all the violence and eventually become physiologically numb to it." [Brief]
The study is detailed in the current issue of the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
"Scientists define desensitization to violence as "a reduction in emotion-related physiological reactivity to real violence." Research indicated people who played a violent video game experienced skin response measurements significantly lower than those who had played a non-violent video game. The participants in the violent video game group also had lower heart rates while viewing real-life violence as compared with the non-violent video game group. "The results demonstrate that playing violent video games, even for just 20 minutes, can cause people to become less physiologically aroused by real violence," said Carnagey. "It appears that individuals who play violent video games habituate or 'get used to' all the violence and eventually become physiologically numb to it." [Brief]
The study is detailed in the current issue of the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
[France] Radical Islam and the French Muslim Prison Population / Terrorism Monitor, (July 27, 2006 - Vol 4, Iss 15)
http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2370082
Pascale Combelles Siegel
"In the mid-1990s, after an unprecedented campaign of terrorist attacks in Paris, the French government dismantled several Algerian GIA-backed terrorist cells and sentenced both operatives and financiers of the attacks to lengthy prison terms. A new wave of convicts followed suit after the dismantling of another terrorist cell before the 1998 World Cup. Yet these anti-terrorism successes created a different set of problems as radical Islamists began proselytizing their views to fellow inmates and recruiting new followers in prisons. Pascal Maihlos, the director of France's domestic intelligence agency, Renseignements Généraux (RG), put it plainly in an interview with Le Monde earlier this year: "It is there, in prison, that a minority of radical Islamist terrorists (about 100) hook up with petty criminals who find their way back to religion under its most radical form" (Top Chrétien, November 25, 2005)." [Top Topic]
Pascale Combelles Siegel
"In the mid-1990s, after an unprecedented campaign of terrorist attacks in Paris, the French government dismantled several Algerian GIA-backed terrorist cells and sentenced both operatives and financiers of the attacks to lengthy prison terms. A new wave of convicts followed suit after the dismantling of another terrorist cell before the 1998 World Cup. Yet these anti-terrorism successes created a different set of problems as radical Islamists began proselytizing their views to fellow inmates and recruiting new followers in prisons. Pascal Maihlos, the director of France's domestic intelligence agency, Renseignements Généraux (RG), put it plainly in an interview with Le Monde earlier this year: "It is there, in prison, that a minority of radical Islamist terrorists (about 100) hook up with petty criminals who find their way back to religion under its most radical form" (Top Chrétien, November 25, 2005)." [Top Topic]
Edit for a better life --China's prison inmates work on their own journals / People's Daily, 28 Jul 2006
http://english.people.com.cn/200607/28/eng20060728_287416.html
"In an office in Beijing Prison, an inmate stands by a printer, holding a pile of freshly printed newspapers. Around him, six other inmates type away conscientiously on their computers.
Unshackled, the seven inmates can talk and move freely around the room, but they are very busy editing the prison paper, Beijing Prison Journal, which is published inside the jail twice a month. According to Chinese law, prison inmates have to work as part of their correction programs. Editing prison papers is just one of the jobs that inmates can have." [Top Topic]
"In an office in Beijing Prison, an inmate stands by a printer, holding a pile of freshly printed newspapers. Around him, six other inmates type away conscientiously on their computers.
Unshackled, the seven inmates can talk and move freely around the room, but they are very busy editing the prison paper, Beijing Prison Journal, which is published inside the jail twice a month. According to Chinese law, prison inmates have to work as part of their correction programs. Editing prison papers is just one of the jobs that inmates can have." [Top Topic]
[China] Prison opens its doors' to the public / People's Daily, 27 Jul 2006
http://english.people.com.cn/200607/27/eng20060727_287152.html
"Prison opened to the public, giving law-abiding citizens a glimpse of life behind bars.
The prison, home to nearly 2,000 inmates, is the second penal institute in the city to offer a tour after Beijing Women's Prison earlier this month. All 13 prisons in the city are expected to follow suit. "Public visits will make prisons more transparent and improve our management," said Li Zhonglin, a senior official of the prison. "It also serves as a warning to ordinary people." [Top topic]
"Prison opened to the public, giving law-abiding citizens a glimpse of life behind bars.
The prison, home to nearly 2,000 inmates, is the second penal institute in the city to offer a tour after Beijing Women's Prison earlier this month. All 13 prisons in the city are expected to follow suit. "Public visits will make prisons more transparent and improve our management," said Li Zhonglin, a senior official of the prison. "It also serves as a warning to ordinary people." [Top topic]
Louise Casey, in her own words / Guardian, 26 Jul 2006
http://society.guardian.co.uk/crimeandpunishment/story/0,,1828609,00.html
"Urinating in public, binge drinking and parenting - just some of the things the government's Respect unit coordinator has a very strong opinion on."
"Urinating in public, binge drinking and parenting - just some of the things the government's Respect unit coordinator has a very strong opinion on."
Police take timewasters to court for the crimes that never happened / Ham & High, 28 July 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdgg
Matt Eley
"HOAXERS who call police to report imaginary crimes are being investigated and charged with wasting officers' time. I n the last two months, a fourman team in the Kentish Town- based robbery squad has been following up reports of crimes that never happened. They have unearthed more than 40 incidents when members of the public faked robberies because they were either trying to make a dodgy insurance claim or were embarrassed about losing items." [Crime & Criminals]
Matt Eley
"HOAXERS who call police to report imaginary crimes are being investigated and charged with wasting officers' time. I n the last two months, a fourman team in the Kentish Town- based robbery squad has been following up reports of crimes that never happened. They have unearthed more than 40 incidents when members of the public faked robberies because they were either trying to make a dodgy insurance claim or were embarrassed about losing items." [Crime & Criminals]
Al Qaeda takes a back seat / The New York Time, 26 Jul 2006
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07/26/opinion/edhayke.php
Bernard Haykel
"With Israel at war with Hezbollah, where, you might wonder, is Al Qaeda? From all appearances on the Web sites frequented by its sympathizers, which I frequently monitor, Al Qaeda is sitting, unhappily and uneasily, on the sidelines, watching a movement antithetical to its philosophy steal its thunder. That might sound like good news. But it is more likely an ominous sign." [terrorists]
Bernard Haykel
"With Israel at war with Hezbollah, where, you might wonder, is Al Qaeda? From all appearances on the Web sites frequented by its sympathizers, which I frequently monitor, Al Qaeda is sitting, unhappily and uneasily, on the sidelines, watching a movement antithetical to its philosophy steal its thunder. That might sound like good news. But it is more likely an ominous sign." [terrorists]
[USA] The Real Reason Behind Overcrowding in Prisons / Contra Costa Times, 26 Jul 2006
http://independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1775
Anthony Gregory
"IN RESPONSE to a crisis of massive prison overcrowding, Gov. Schwarzenegger has called for the construction of two more prisons. Since 1980, the State of California has built more than 20 prisons, and its prison population has increased about fivefold. With about 170,000 inmates, it has a higher per-capita incarceration rate than the rest of the United States, which itself has the highest per-capita prison population in the industrialized world. This is all good news for law enforcement unions and politicians. From the public's point of view, however, it is not so positive." [Top topic]
Anthony Gregory
"IN RESPONSE to a crisis of massive prison overcrowding, Gov. Schwarzenegger has called for the construction of two more prisons. Since 1980, the State of California has built more than 20 prisons, and its prison population has increased about fivefold. With about 170,000 inmates, it has a higher per-capita incarceration rate than the rest of the United States, which itself has the highest per-capita prison population in the industrialized world. This is all good news for law enforcement unions and politicians. From the public's point of view, however, it is not so positive." [Top topic]
[New Zealand] Extra prison beds cost nearly $1m each / Scoop, 27 July 2006
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00485.htm
Simon Power
"The 500 extra beds added to the Government’s prisons building programmes cost taxpayers nearly $1 million each, says National’s Law & Order spokesman, Simon Power. “Corrections Minister Damien O’Connor confirmed in the House a statement he made in select committee that the $490 million blow-out in the prisons construction budget was due to the addition of about 500 beds. “That works out at about $1 million a bed. “That is outrageous. You could buy four reasonable three-bedroom houses for the cost of one prisoner’s bed in one of our new prisons." [Top topic]
Simon Power
"The 500 extra beds added to the Government’s prisons building programmes cost taxpayers nearly $1 million each, says National’s Law & Order spokesman, Simon Power. “Corrections Minister Damien O’Connor confirmed in the House a statement he made in select committee that the $490 million blow-out in the prisons construction budget was due to the addition of about 500 beds. “That works out at about $1 million a bed. “That is outrageous. You could buy four reasonable three-bedroom houses for the cost of one prisoner’s bed in one of our new prisons." [Top topic]
[Switzerland] Authorities clamp down on child porn sites / SwissInfo, 22 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mdfq
"Police have stepped up action against child pornography on the internet. The request for ISPs to block access on a voluntary basis was made by crime prevention specialists, the Federal Police Office and the Swiss Child Protection Association. ISPs have also been invited to warn customers of the legal ramifications of accessing child pornography. It is not forbidden to view child pornography on the internet in Switzerland but it is illegal to download, possess and distribute it. According to Swiss television, internet users who nonetheless try to visit a website banned by their service provider will automatically be diverted onto a police website. A message will tell them that the site has been blocked because of illegal content."
"Police have stepped up action against child pornography on the internet. The request for ISPs to block access on a voluntary basis was made by crime prevention specialists, the Federal Police Office and the Swiss Child Protection Association. ISPs have also been invited to warn customers of the legal ramifications of accessing child pornography. It is not forbidden to view child pornography on the internet in Switzerland but it is illegal to download, possess and distribute it. According to Swiss television, internet users who nonetheless try to visit a website banned by their service provider will automatically be diverted onto a police website. A message will tell them that the site has been blocked because of illegal content."
Trial by TV and tabloid / Spiked, 27 Jul 2006
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/1303/
"The BBC documentary The Boys Who Killed Stephen Lawrence showed that this tragic murder has been turned into a morality tale about the oafishness of the white working classes. Even before BBC1 broadcasted The Boys Who Killed Stephen Lawrence, the documentary had generated headlines all week. Mark Daly’s 12-month investigation into the murder of the black teenager in London in 1993 promised fresh evidence against the original gang accused. So much so that judging by the title of the film, the BBC – like the Daily Mail before it – has made itself judge and jury in the Stephen Lawrence case. Apparently, as a result of Daly’s detective skills, the Metropolitan Police are said to be investigating allegations of corruption against one of their former officers. All of this might look impressive for the cameras. But would it look impressive in court? And why is the Stephen Lawrence case different from other racist murders where justice still hasn’t been done?"
"The BBC documentary The Boys Who Killed Stephen Lawrence showed that this tragic murder has been turned into a morality tale about the oafishness of the white working classes. Even before BBC1 broadcasted The Boys Who Killed Stephen Lawrence, the documentary had generated headlines all week. Mark Daly’s 12-month investigation into the murder of the black teenager in London in 1993 promised fresh evidence against the original gang accused. So much so that judging by the title of the film, the BBC – like the Daily Mail before it – has made itself judge and jury in the Stephen Lawrence case. Apparently, as a result of Daly’s detective skills, the Metropolitan Police are said to be investigating allegations of corruption against one of their former officers. All of this might look impressive for the cameras. But would it look impressive in court? And why is the Stephen Lawrence case different from other racist murders where justice still hasn’t been done?"
Bribery? It's worse than that / Guardian Blog,
http://digbig.com/4mdfa
Richard Norton-Taylor
"Alleged police corruption should never be used to explain the racism of the Stephen Lawrence murder investigation. The Metropolitan police has reopened its file on the murder of Stephen Lawrence. It had little option, given the latest allegations, on BBC television, about the scandalous police handling of the case. It carries a collective guilt about the case - and so it should do."
Richard Norton-Taylor
"Alleged police corruption should never be used to explain the racism of the Stephen Lawrence murder investigation. The Metropolitan police has reopened its file on the murder of Stephen Lawrence. It had little option, given the latest allegations, on BBC television, about the scandalous police handling of the case. It carries a collective guilt about the case - and so it should do."
France's mysterious embrace of blogs / International Herald Tribune, 28 Jul 2006
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07/27/business/blogs.php
Thomas Crampton
""You cannot be elected president of France without a blog," said Benjamin Griveaux, director of Web strategy for Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a former finance minister who in 2004 was among the first politicians to start a blog. "Blogs have not replaced traditional media, but they are absolutely necessary for every politician." Some even harbor a faint hope that flourishing online discussions might curb the French population's penchant for taking to the streets in protest."
Thomas Crampton
""You cannot be elected president of France without a blog," said Benjamin Griveaux, director of Web strategy for Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a former finance minister who in 2004 was among the first politicians to start a blog. "Blogs have not replaced traditional media, but they are absolutely necessary for every politician." Some even harbor a faint hope that flourishing online discussions might curb the French population's penchant for taking to the streets in protest."
Tube shooting case 'will change policing', says Met chief / The Times, 27 Jul 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2288174,00.html
"Britain's most senior police officer gave warning that the decision to bring charges over the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes under health and safety laws will have "very significant" implications for everyday policing. Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said that the decision to charge Scotland Yard, announced by the Crown Prosecution Service earlier this month, would also mark a "fundemental turning point" for British policing."
"Britain's most senior police officer gave warning that the decision to bring charges over the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes under health and safety laws will have "very significant" implications for everyday policing. Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said that the decision to charge Scotland Yard, announced by the Crown Prosecution Service earlier this month, would also mark a "fundemental turning point" for British policing."
Prison building plans 'desperately short-sighted' / Politics, 27 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mder
"New prison projects show new building plans are far off the mark. The home secretary's plans to build more prisons have been condemned as "desperately short-sighted" after new figures show they will fall far short of the numbers needed. John Reid last week announced the building of 8,000 more prison places in England and Wales, taking the total up to almost 90,000 by 2012. But the latest projections from the Home Office suggest the prison population could stand at a maximum of 102,280 by that time – leaving 10,000 prisoners with nowhere to go."
"New prison projects show new building plans are far off the mark. The home secretary's plans to build more prisons have been condemned as "desperately short-sighted" after new figures show they will fall far short of the numbers needed. John Reid last week announced the building of 8,000 more prison places in England and Wales, taking the total up to almost 90,000 by 2012. But the latest projections from the Home Office suggest the prison population could stand at a maximum of 102,280 by that time – leaving 10,000 prisoners with nowhere to go."
Migration, mobility and an 'undesirable' report / Euractiv, 28 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mddy
Denislava Simeonova
"More than two years after the British decision to open the UK labour market to workers from eight new member states in Central Eastern Europe, some Home Office officials seem to be taking a difference stance on Bulgaria and Romania."
Denislava Simeonova
"More than two years after the British decision to open the UK labour market to workers from eight new member states in Central Eastern Europe, some Home Office officials seem to be taking a difference stance on Bulgaria and Romania."
Ever Sailing Close to The Wind in The US and The UK / Mondaq, 21 Jul 2006
http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=41414&email_access=on
Sally Ramage
" Serious transnational organized criminals are always on the alert for prospective places to hide and secure their proceeds. Offshore havens have been the harbour of choice for these criminals, as well as for businesspersons who evade taxes. Analysis of several case studies of grand-scale fraud, smaller scale frauds2 and other crimes concludes that there are many complex weaves of the social networks that facilitated these schemes." Free [Sub Required]
Sally Ramage
" Serious transnational organized criminals are always on the alert for prospective places to hide and secure their proceeds. Offshore havens have been the harbour of choice for these criminals, as well as for businesspersons who evade taxes. Analysis of several case studies of grand-scale fraud, smaller scale frauds2 and other crimes concludes that there are many complex weaves of the social networks that facilitated these schemes." Free [Sub Required]
The Boundaries of Belonging: reflections on Migration Policies into the 21st Century / Inter Pares, Canada:, 2006
Alison Crosby
PDF - http://www.statewatch.org/news/2006/jul/boundaries-of-belonging.pdf
"This paper examines the politics of categorization that defines people who move, as well as the migration containment policies that set and maintain the boundaries of these categories. The paper explains why "the problem" is not migration per se, but rather the way the powerful seek to control and contain the movement of people. Migration policies are a form of population control; the issue is who is controlled, and how. And because of the who, and the how, migration policy is a justice issue. Indeed, it is one of the most pressing justice issues of our time, and requires the consolidated and coordinated attention of all of us concerned with issues of human rights and social justice. it cannot be ignored."
PDF - http://www.statewatch.org/news/2006/jul/boundaries-of-belonging.pdf
"This paper examines the politics of categorization that defines people who move, as well as the migration containment policies that set and maintain the boundaries of these categories. The paper explains why "the problem" is not migration per se, but rather the way the powerful seek to control and contain the movement of people. Migration policies are a form of population control; the issue is who is controlled, and how. And because of the who, and the how, migration policy is a justice issue. Indeed, it is one of the most pressing justice issues of our time, and requires the consolidated and coordinated attention of all of us concerned with issues of human rights and social justice. it cannot be ignored."
United Kingdom: Stop Press: The Court File - an Open Book? / Mondaq, 27 July 2006
http://www.mondaq.com/i_article.asp_Q_articleid_E_41522_A_rss_E_14
Andrew Howell and Sophie Cubbon
"The Department for Constitutional Affairs ("DCA") has recently published advance notice of a change to the Civil Procedure Rules ("CPR") which could impact heavily on litigants, particularly in cases of media interest. From 2 October 2006, non-parties, such as journalists, will be entitled to copies of statements of case from the court file as a matter of course, without needing to apply to the court. It is also proposed that this rule change will have retrospective effect. Is this concession to the press a step too far in favour of open justice?"
Andrew Howell and Sophie Cubbon
"The Department for Constitutional Affairs ("DCA") has recently published advance notice of a change to the Civil Procedure Rules ("CPR") which could impact heavily on litigants, particularly in cases of media interest. From 2 October 2006, non-parties, such as journalists, will be entitled to copies of statements of case from the court file as a matter of course, without needing to apply to the court. It is also proposed that this rule change will have retrospective effect. Is this concession to the press a step too far in favour of open justice?"
A Matter of Life and Death / Black Information Link, 27 Jul 2006
http://www.blink.org.uk/pdescription.asp?key=12094&grp=57&cat=258
Khalida Khan - Director, An-Nisa Society
"Hatred of Muslims resulting in abuse and vicious murderous attacks is not a new phenomenon. Contrary to popular belief 9/11 (and later 7/7) did not create Islamophobia as it has always existed. Rather it can be said to have been ‘outed’ since 9/11 when it could no longer be denied.
In some quarters Islamophobia has been accepted as an element of racism but others do not believe it exists at all. While there remains ambivalence to recognising and understanding Islamophobia and its institutional manifestations we will not be able to address it strategically and institutionally. There is no doubt that discrimination and attacks are sometimes motivated by a combination of racism and Islamophobia but quite often they are simply inspired by a pure hatred of Islam and Muslims. "
Khalida Khan - Director, An-Nisa Society
"Hatred of Muslims resulting in abuse and vicious murderous attacks is not a new phenomenon. Contrary to popular belief 9/11 (and later 7/7) did not create Islamophobia as it has always existed. Rather it can be said to have been ‘outed’ since 9/11 when it could no longer be denied.
In some quarters Islamophobia has been accepted as an element of racism but others do not believe it exists at all. While there remains ambivalence to recognising and understanding Islamophobia and its institutional manifestations we will not be able to address it strategically and institutionally. There is no doubt that discrimination and attacks are sometimes motivated by a combination of racism and Islamophobia but quite often they are simply inspired by a pure hatred of Islam and Muslims. "
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Proscribed Terrorist Groups - Orders, July 2006
On Monday 17 July 2006 two draft Orders were laid in Parliament listing six groups proposed for proscription. One Order lists four new organisations who are concerned in terrorism:* Al Ghurabaa* The Saved Sect* Baluchistan Liberation Army* TAK (Teyre Azadiye Kurdistan) The second Order lists two alternative names for the Kurdish terrorist group PKK. These names are:* Kongra Gel* KADEKThis Order will come in to force on 14 August. (Home office press notice 099/2006).
The full list of proscribed groups can be found at:http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/security/terrorism-and-the-law/terrorism-act/proscribed-groups
The full list of proscribed groups can be found at:http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/security/terrorism-and-the-law/terrorism-act/proscribed-groups
[Australia] Verdicts in for jury sentencing / Daily Telegraph, 27 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mcys
Robyn Cotterell-Jones and Narelle Jaeger
"JURORS could be given powers to direct judges on sentencing. Here are two opposing views."
Robyn Cotterell-Jones and Narelle Jaeger
"JURORS could be given powers to direct judges on sentencing. Here are two opposing views."
Police hail new fingerprint technology / EADT24, 26 July 2006
http://digbig.com/4mcyr
CRAIG ROBINSON
"Police last night hailed the success of the new equipment, which is being used at Ipswich police station but will now also be rolled out to Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft. In both cases it is understood those detained had initially been apprehended for relatively minor offences - but the almost immediate fingerprint scan results alerted officers to the other allegations they faced."
CRAIG ROBINSON
"Police last night hailed the success of the new equipment, which is being used at Ipswich police station but will now also be rolled out to Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft. In both cases it is understood those detained had initially been apprehended for relatively minor offences - but the almost immediate fingerprint scan results alerted officers to the other allegations they faced."
Good news for humans / The Economist, 27 Jul 2006
http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7226037
"The public mood turns against animal activists. CAMPAIGNERS for animal rights are losing their long war against scientific experimentation on animals. Public sympathy for the cause is leaching away as the well-publicised antics of a violent few taint the image of the pacific many. New legislation has restricted even peaceful protest; the police have got tougher on bad behaviour; and figures released by the Home Office this week show that animal experiments have reached their highest level in 14 years. Is it the end of an era?" [Sub required]
"The public mood turns against animal activists. CAMPAIGNERS for animal rights are losing their long war against scientific experimentation on animals. Public sympathy for the cause is leaching away as the well-publicised antics of a violent few taint the image of the pacific many. New legislation has restricted even peaceful protest; the police have got tougher on bad behaviour; and figures released by the Home Office this week show that animal experiments have reached their highest level in 14 years. Is it the end of an era?" [Sub required]
New Powers Against Organised and Financial Crime - Consultation / Home Office, July 2006
PDF - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/new-powers-paper.pdf?view=Binary
The Public Consultation ends on October 17th 2006
The Public Consultation ends on October 17th 2006
Time for a new mantra on migration / The Guardian , 26 Jul 2006
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1830334,00.html
Sukhvinder Stubbs
"Tony Blair and the home secretary, John Reid, both appear transfixed in tackling security, criminality and migration. It's become a mantra, spoken in one breath and rather rapidly acquiring common parlance. For some years, I and others have questioned why migration should be lumped in with national security and community safety; where we place migration in the structure of government sends out a powerful message about our priorities. Last week, Reid took the first small step in addressing this issue when, as part of the new action plan to reform the Home Office, he announced that the Immigration and Nationality Department (IND) will be hived off, and become a separate agency from 2007. This is a good start, but it is overdue and addresses only part of the problem."
Sukhvinder Stubbs
"Tony Blair and the home secretary, John Reid, both appear transfixed in tackling security, criminality and migration. It's become a mantra, spoken in one breath and rather rapidly acquiring common parlance. For some years, I and others have questioned why migration should be lumped in with national security and community safety; where we place migration in the structure of government sends out a powerful message about our priorities. Last week, Reid took the first small step in addressing this issue when, as part of the new action plan to reform the Home Office, he announced that the Immigration and Nationality Department (IND) will be hived off, and become a separate agency from 2007. This is a good start, but it is overdue and addresses only part of the problem."
Licensing Act has not increased crime / The Publican, 27 July 2006
http://digbig.com/4mcwd
James Wilmore
"Latest Home Office figures reveal the Licensing Act is not causing a rise in crime. Critics of the new licensing regime are continuing to be confounded as new government research shows it is not causing a rise in crime. Latest Home Office figures fly in the face of media coverage prior to the new Act, which suggested it would lead to Armageddon on Britain’s streets. And a straw poll of five police forces by The Publican has largely backed up this conclusion with all but one reporting no negative effects from the new regime. [Police News]
James Wilmore
"Latest Home Office figures reveal the Licensing Act is not causing a rise in crime. Critics of the new licensing regime are continuing to be confounded as new government research shows it is not causing a rise in crime. Latest Home Office figures fly in the face of media coverage prior to the new Act, which suggested it would lead to Armageddon on Britain’s streets. And a straw poll of five police forces by The Publican has largely backed up this conclusion with all but one reporting no negative effects from the new regime. [Police News]
Immigration - how New Labour got the numbers completely wrong / Telegraph, 26 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mcwc
Jeff Randall
"When future historians assess New Labour's vandalism of the United Kingdom's cultural, political and commercial fabric, the wilful destruction of border controls will surely be judged as the measure that caused most pain." [Immigration - Economic; Society]
Jeff Randall
"When future historians assess New Labour's vandalism of the United Kingdom's cultural, political and commercial fabric, the wilful destruction of border controls will surely be judged as the measure that caused most pain." [Immigration - Economic; Society]
Lives of crime / Prospect, No. 125, August 2006
http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7604
David Rose
"Tony Blair's "tough on the causes of crime" and David Cameron's "hug a hoodie" speeches reflect the dominant sociological model of crime. But research into the "criminal personality" suggests some people from troubled backgrounds are far more likely to offend than others. Policymakers are taking an interest."[Crime & Criminals; Psychology]
David Rose
"Tony Blair's "tough on the causes of crime" and David Cameron's "hug a hoodie" speeches reflect the dominant sociological model of crime. But research into the "criminal personality" suggests some people from troubled backgrounds are far more likely to offend than others. Policymakers are taking an interest."[Crime & Criminals; Psychology]
500 Stories from the FOI Act’s / The Campaign for Freedom of Information, July 2006
PDF - http://www.cfoi.org.uk/pdf/FOI%20Disclosures.pdf
"This publication contains summaries of 500 disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act that were reported in online media sources in 2005, the first year of the Act's operation. They represent only a small sample of all FOI disclosures, but give an idea of the wide range of information that has been released. They include disclosures under the UK and Scottish FOI Acts, both of which came fully into force on 1 January 2005. We have attempted to categorise the stories by subject, newspaper and public authority making the disclosure, though in
some cases the latter is not clear. Please note that the publication in which the story appeared may not have made the original FOI request itself - it may be reporting on a request made by someone else. Wherever possible we have included an Internet link for the original story. These links were correct when this document was published (July 2006), but you may find that stories
have subsequently been moved by the publisher or are no longer available free of charge. Note that the headline and summaries reflect the language used in the original articles, not the views of the Campaign."
"This publication contains summaries of 500 disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act that were reported in online media sources in 2005, the first year of the Act's operation. They represent only a small sample of all FOI disclosures, but give an idea of the wide range of information that has been released. They include disclosures under the UK and Scottish FOI Acts, both of which came fully into force on 1 January 2005. We have attempted to categorise the stories by subject, newspaper and public authority making the disclosure, though in
some cases the latter is not clear. Please note that the publication in which the story appeared may not have made the original FOI request itself - it may be reporting on a request made by someone else. Wherever possible we have included an Internet link for the original story. These links were correct when this document was published (July 2006), but you may find that stories
have subsequently been moved by the publisher or are no longer available free of charge. Note that the headline and summaries reflect the language used in the original articles, not the views of the Campaign."
Illusions of identity / Prospect, No. 125, August 2006
http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7583
Kenan Malik
"Amartya Sen discusses his new book, in which he claims that the British approach to multiculturalism has undermined individual freedom."
Kenan Malik
"Amartya Sen discusses his new book, in which he claims that the British approach to multiculturalism has undermined individual freedom."
The New York Plot: The Impact of Bin Laden's Campaign to Inspire Jihad / Terrorism Focus, Volume 3, Issue 28 (July 18, 2006)
http://digbig.com/4mctx
Michael Scheuer
The recent disruption of a developing terrorist plot to destroy an underwater tunnel connecting New Jersey and New York City and inundate lower Manhattan offers an opportunity to assess the impact of Osama bin Laden's decade-plus effort to inspire others to undertake operations against the United States and its allies without al-Qaeda's direct help or guidance. Of all bin Laden's aims for al-Qaeda, the instigation or inspiration of other Muslims to jihad always has been his top priority. Claiming that he, after all, is only one Muslim, and that al-Qaeda is at best a vanguard organization, bin Laden has explained that al-Qaeda's goal of driving the United States as far as possible from the Middle East can only be achieved if other Muslims decide on their own to form groups, pick up arms and fight the "Crusaders." The information so far available about the New York City plot appears to follow the model bin Laden has been encouraging since 1996.
Michael Scheuer
The recent disruption of a developing terrorist plot to destroy an underwater tunnel connecting New Jersey and New York City and inundate lower Manhattan offers an opportunity to assess the impact of Osama bin Laden's decade-plus effort to inspire others to undertake operations against the United States and its allies without al-Qaeda's direct help or guidance. Of all bin Laden's aims for al-Qaeda, the instigation or inspiration of other Muslims to jihad always has been his top priority. Claiming that he, after all, is only one Muslim, and that al-Qaeda is at best a vanguard organization, bin Laden has explained that al-Qaeda's goal of driving the United States as far as possible from the Middle East can only be achieved if other Muslims decide on their own to form groups, pick up arms and fight the "Crusaders." The information so far available about the New York City plot appears to follow the model bin Laden has been encouraging since 1996.
[Australia] The National Cannabis Strategy 2006-2009
PDF - http://digbig.com/4mctp
"Has been developed within the existing legislative framework and focuses on prevention, supply reduction and treatment in a partnership framework."
National Cannabis Strategy 2006-2009
"Has been developed within the existing legislative framework and focuses on prevention, supply reduction and treatment in a partnership framework."
National Cannabis Strategy 2006-2009
[Australia] Call to act on fears jail will breed extremists / the Age, 25 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mcsx
Tom Allard
"ISLAMIC extremism is on the rise in prisons, prompting authorities to develop more aggressive strategies to combat it. Among the remedies discussed at a conference yesterday was a proposal to quickly and forcibly separate prisoners deemed to be spreading a violent version of Islam and those deemed susceptible to the message." [Prison Management]
Tom Allard
"ISLAMIC extremism is on the rise in prisons, prompting authorities to develop more aggressive strategies to combat it. Among the remedies discussed at a conference yesterday was a proposal to quickly and forcibly separate prisoners deemed to be spreading a violent version of Islam and those deemed susceptible to the message." [Prison Management]
[New Zealand] Cops told to get friends to join the force / Stuff, 25 July 2006
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3742767a11,00.html
COLIN PATTERSON
The long arm of the law has been told to reach out and grab friends to join the force. In the latest drive to expand police by 1000 officers, staff nationwide are being asked to lure their mates into a life of crime-fighting. In the police magazine Ten One, human resources general manager Wayne Annan suggests officers can play a crucial role in fattening the thin blue line. "There is no doubt that our staff are the biggest single recruiting resource. I challenge every member of police to approach someone they know who has got what it takes and put them in touch with their local recruiting officer. " [Police news]
COLIN PATTERSON
The long arm of the law has been told to reach out and grab friends to join the force. In the latest drive to expand police by 1000 officers, staff nationwide are being asked to lure their mates into a life of crime-fighting. In the police magazine Ten One, human resources general manager Wayne Annan suggests officers can play a crucial role in fattening the thin blue line. "There is no doubt that our staff are the biggest single recruiting resource. I challenge every member of police to approach someone they know who has got what it takes and put them in touch with their local recruiting officer. " [Police news]
Reid's year zero approach? / BBC, 19 Jul 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5193910.stm
Nick Assinder
"He may have denied it, but it is hard to escape the feeling that this is Home Secretary John Reid's year zero." Analysis
Nick Assinder
"He may have denied it, but it is hard to escape the feeling that this is Home Secretary John Reid's year zero." Analysis
Reid plans border-control force / BBC, 23 Jul 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5207112.stm
"A uniformed border-control force is to be introduced at ports and airports for the first time in the UK"
"A uniformed border-control force is to be introduced at ports and airports for the first time in the UK"
Trouble at the top? / The Lawyer, 24 Jul 2006
http://www.thelawyer.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=121131&d=122&h=24&f=46
Richard Matthews and John Heaps
"Company directors will be left open to increased litigation when the Company Law Reform Bill takes effect. There is compelling evidence that, when the Company Law Reform Bill comes into force at the end of this year, the risks facing UK company directors will be at an all-time high. The bill introduces a statutory basis for claims by shareholders against directors for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust. This will dilute the principle of 'majority rule', which is at the heart of English company law."
Richard Matthews and John Heaps
"Company directors will be left open to increased litigation when the Company Law Reform Bill takes effect. There is compelling evidence that, when the Company Law Reform Bill comes into force at the end of this year, the risks facing UK company directors will be at an all-time high. The bill introduces a statutory basis for claims by shareholders against directors for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust. This will dilute the principle of 'majority rule', which is at the heart of English company law."
[India] Arrested doctor received arms training in Pakistan: police / India enews, 24 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mcsq
"A Unani medicine practitioner arrested on charges of playing a major role in the 7/11 terror attacks here had visited Pakistan to be trained in using arms and explosives, Mumbai police. Tanvir Ansari, who practices at a central Mumbai hospital, was arrested late Sunday. ‘We know this man went to Pakistan in 2004 for training. There he learnt how to use explosives, make bombs and use weapons."
"A Unani medicine practitioner arrested on charges of playing a major role in the 7/11 terror attacks here had visited Pakistan to be trained in using arms and explosives, Mumbai police. Tanvir Ansari, who practices at a central Mumbai hospital, was arrested late Sunday. ‘We know this man went to Pakistan in 2004 for training. There he learnt how to use explosives, make bombs and use weapons."
Future 911 / Globe Correspondent , 24 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mcsp
Kim-Mai Cutler
"Technology is changing so quickly that emergency communication systems are struggling to keep pace. Picture a highway crash: a vehicle flips over in the center lane. Ten cars plow into the twisted wreck. Panicked witnesses dial 911. They shoot video of the scene with their cell phones. Drivers too distraught to speak text message the call center. A vehicle with a built-in security system automatically dials 911 after the air bags are deployed. It forwards the driver's health history, letting police know he has had two heart attacks before."
Kim-Mai Cutler
"Technology is changing so quickly that emergency communication systems are struggling to keep pace. Picture a highway crash: a vehicle flips over in the center lane. Ten cars plow into the twisted wreck. Panicked witnesses dial 911. They shoot video of the scene with their cell phones. Drivers too distraught to speak text message the call center. A vehicle with a built-in security system automatically dials 911 after the air bags are deployed. It forwards the driver's health history, letting police know he has had two heart attacks before."
France to grant papers to 6,000 immigrants / International Herald Tribune, 24 Jul 2006
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07/24/news/france.php
Katrin Bennhold
"Seeking to defuse one of the most politically sensitive issues since taking office, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said Monday that he would grant residency papers to about 6,000 illegal immigrants, but he also said that more than twice as many would be expelled."
Katrin Bennhold
"Seeking to defuse one of the most politically sensitive issues since taking office, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said Monday that he would grant residency papers to about 6,000 illegal immigrants, but he also said that more than twice as many would be expelled."
Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations / NIDA, July 2006
http://www.nida.nih.gov/PODAT_CJ/
[All materials in this volume are in the public domain and may be used or reproduced without permission from the Institute or the authors. Citation of the source is appreciated.]
[All materials in this volume are in the public domain and may be used or reproduced without permission from the Institute or the authors. Citation of the source is appreciated.]
Copping on to plodcasting /
http://digbig.com/4mcsj
James Sturcke
"In the first of an occasional series exploring how various groups have taken to the 21st century version of radio hamming, we've been listening in to three police podcasts, which inevitably have been dubbed plodcasts."
James Sturcke
"In the first of an occasional series exploring how various groups have taken to the 21st century version of radio hamming, we've been listening in to three police podcasts, which inevitably have been dubbed plodcasts."
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
'Peer group pressure' mitigation for juvenile robbers / 24Dash, 25 Jul 2006
http://www.24dash.com/news/57/8503/index.htm
"Juvenile robbers will be able to put forward peer group pressure as a mitigating factor when being sentenced in court under new guidelines. The recommendation - from the Sentencing Guidelines Council - was originally proposed by an all-party panel of MPs."
"Juvenile robbers will be able to put forward peer group pressure as a mitigating factor when being sentenced in court under new guidelines. The recommendation - from the Sentencing Guidelines Council - was originally proposed by an all-party panel of MPs."
United Kingdom: Immigration Matters - Special Report: Nurses To Be Removed From Shortage Occupations List / Overseas Consultancy Services Ltd, 25 Jul
http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=41476&searchresults=1
Charles Kelly
"The NHS across the UK should no longer recruit junior nurses from abroad, the government has announced, as it removes general nursing from the shortage occupation list. As reported by Immigration Matters on 4th July, the Home Office has now officially announced that general nursing is being taken off the Home Office ‘shortage occupation’ list, from 14th August 2006, although some senior and specialised jobs will remain."
Charles Kelly
"The NHS across the UK should no longer recruit junior nurses from abroad, the government has announced, as it removes general nursing from the shortage occupation list. As reported by Immigration Matters on 4th July, the Home Office has now officially announced that general nursing is being taken off the Home Office ‘shortage occupation’ list, from 14th August 2006, although some senior and specialised jobs will remain."
UK fraud report recommends longer sentences, more plea bargains / Jurist PaperChase,
http://digbig.com/4mccs
Joe Shaulis
"A report [PDF text] released by UK Attorney General Lord Goldsmith [official profile] recommends longer sentences and increased use of plea bargaining in fraud cases. The report, the result of a Fraud Review [official backgrounder] begun last year, also suggests consolidating civil, criminal and regulatory fraud proceedings in a single court specializing in white-collar crime. The recommendations follow several prominent fraud cases in which prosecutors have failed to win convictions, including the trial [Times report] of six men charged with corruption involving the Jubilee Line extension to the London Underground. The Fraud Bill [parliamentary materials; BBC backgrounder] pending in Parliament would clarify definitions of fraud and allow more cases to be heard by judges rather than juries. BBC News has more. The Financial Times has additional coverage.
Joe Shaulis
"A report [PDF text] released by UK Attorney General Lord Goldsmith [official profile] recommends longer sentences and increased use of plea bargaining in fraud cases. The report, the result of a Fraud Review [official backgrounder] begun last year, also suggests consolidating civil, criminal and regulatory fraud proceedings in a single court specializing in white-collar crime. The recommendations follow several prominent fraud cases in which prosecutors have failed to win convictions, including the trial [Times report] of six men charged with corruption involving the Jubilee Line extension to the London Underground. The Fraud Bill [parliamentary materials; BBC backgrounder] pending in Parliament would clarify definitions of fraud and allow more cases to be heard by judges rather than juries. BBC News has more. The Financial Times has additional coverage.
Monday, July 24, 2006
[Canada] Images of millions of Canadians to be screened against terrorist databases / Cnews, 23 Jul 2006
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/07/23/1698899-cp.html
JIM BRONSKILL
"A high-tech system to prevent terrorists and other criminals from obtaining passports will eventually contain the photos of some 21 million Canadians, new documents show. Canada's passport office has officially begun looking for a vendor to supply a computerized tool to screen applicant photos against images of suspects on security watch lists. Passport Canada's facial-recognition project, in the works for three years, represents one of the first large-scale federal forays into the sphere of biometrics. "
JIM BRONSKILL
"A high-tech system to prevent terrorists and other criminals from obtaining passports will eventually contain the photos of some 21 million Canadians, new documents show. Canada's passport office has officially begun looking for a vendor to supply a computerized tool to screen applicant photos against images of suspects on security watch lists. Passport Canada's facial-recognition project, in the works for three years, represents one of the first large-scale federal forays into the sphere of biometrics. "
Real Crime, Fake Justice / City Journal, Summer 2006
http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_3_oh_to_be.html
Theodore Dalrymple
"For the last 40 years, government policy in Britain, de facto if not always de jure, has been to render the British population virtually defenseless against criminals and criminality. Almost alone of British government policies, this one has been supremely effective: no Briton nowadays goes many hours without wondering how to avoid being victimized by a criminal intent on theft, burglary, or violence."
Theodore Dalrymple
"For the last 40 years, government policy in Britain, de facto if not always de jure, has been to render the British population virtually defenseless against criminals and criminality. Almost alone of British government policies, this one has been supremely effective: no Briton nowadays goes many hours without wondering how to avoid being victimized by a criminal intent on theft, burglary, or violence."
New York Cops: Still the Finest / City Journal, Summer 2006
http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_3_ny_cops.html
Heather Mac Donald
Bucking a national trend, Gotham’s crime rate keeps dropping. Here’s why.
"New York City has shattered criminology’s central myth, but criminologists remain in denial. Policing, they still insist, can do little to lower crime. Economic inequality, demographic trends, changing drug-use patterns—these determine crime levels, they say, not police tactics. Nevertheless, since 1994, New York City has enjoyed a crime drop unmatched in the rest of the country—indeed, unparalleled in history—and only Gotham’s revolutionary style of policing can explain it. Yet rather than flooding the city to study this paradigm-breaking phenomenon, most criminologists are busy looking the other way. "
Heather Mac Donald
Bucking a national trend, Gotham’s crime rate keeps dropping. Here’s why.
"New York City has shattered criminology’s central myth, but criminologists remain in denial. Policing, they still insist, can do little to lower crime. Economic inequality, demographic trends, changing drug-use patterns—these determine crime levels, they say, not police tactics. Nevertheless, since 1994, New York City has enjoyed a crime drop unmatched in the rest of the country—indeed, unparalleled in history—and only Gotham’s revolutionary style of policing can explain it. Yet rather than flooding the city to study this paradigm-breaking phenomenon, most criminologists are busy looking the other way. "
US-style law to allow plea bargaining for big City fraud cases / The Times, 24 Jul 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2282939,00.html
Frances Gibb
"Longer sentences for bigger offenders is part of a new system to deal with an annual £14bn bill. TOUGH US-style approach to big-money City fraudsters, including sharp increases in prison sentences and a national fraud squad, was be announced by the Government . The plans, aimed at cutting the economy’s annual £14 billion fraud bill, include pleabargaining, whereby lesser defendants are offered lenient sentences or witness immunity in return for vital evidence against a “Mr Big”. The authorities believe that such measures are essential if the British criminal justice system is to stand any chance of curbing the rising levels of high-finance fraud."
Frances Gibb
"Longer sentences for bigger offenders is part of a new system to deal with an annual £14bn bill. TOUGH US-style approach to big-money City fraudsters, including sharp increases in prison sentences and a national fraud squad, was be announced by the Government . The plans, aimed at cutting the economy’s annual £14 billion fraud bill, include pleabargaining, whereby lesser defendants are offered lenient sentences or witness immunity in return for vital evidence against a “Mr Big”. The authorities believe that such measures are essential if the British criminal justice system is to stand any chance of curbing the rising levels of high-finance fraud."
[Australia] Bid to halt 'terror' prisoners / 24 Jul 2006
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19890153-29277,00.html
Max Blenkin
"AUSTRALIAN authorities have begun moves to try to prevent Muslim criminals emerging from jail as potential terrorists, as some have overseas. Attorney-General warned the challenge was to prevent those vulnerable to extremist teachings from becoming extremists themselves. "Our agencies tell us that there have been cases overseas where individuals have turned to extremism while in prison and have undertaken later terrorist attacks following their release, or have encouraged others to do so. It is an urgent matter for us to identify ways in which we might intervene earlier in the path to radicalisation that some might take."
Max Blenkin
"AUSTRALIAN authorities have begun moves to try to prevent Muslim criminals emerging from jail as potential terrorists, as some have overseas. Attorney-General warned the challenge was to prevent those vulnerable to extremist teachings from becoming extremists themselves. "Our agencies tell us that there have been cases overseas where individuals have turned to extremism while in prison and have undertaken later terrorist attacks following their release, or have encouraged others to do so. It is an urgent matter for us to identify ways in which we might intervene earlier in the path to radicalisation that some might take."
The Blame game / OnLine Opinion, 21 Jul 2006
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=4696
Irfan Yusuf
"With powerful media and government forces busy edu-hating their religious heritage, how do the majority of moderate home-grown Muslims avoid being marginalised? A key plank of the solution is for young home-grown Muslims to take over peak Muslim bodies claiming to represent them. When ordinary citizens know the facts about their Muslim neighbours, when Islam is no longer seen as alien, the hysteria will hopefully end. But when Muslims living in the West allow themselves to become marginalised in cultural cocoons, and when they become second-class citizens, groups like al-Qaida will find recruitment much easier."
Irfan Yusuf
"With powerful media and government forces busy edu-hating their religious heritage, how do the majority of moderate home-grown Muslims avoid being marginalised? A key plank of the solution is for young home-grown Muslims to take over peak Muslim bodies claiming to represent them. When ordinary citizens know the facts about their Muslim neighbours, when Islam is no longer seen as alien, the hysteria will hopefully end. But when Muslims living in the West allow themselves to become marginalised in cultural cocoons, and when they become second-class citizens, groups like al-Qaida will find recruitment much easier."
Despair as forced marriages stay legal / The Times, 24 Jul 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,200-2282623,00.html
Andrew Norfolk
"A police chief accuses the Government of abandoning young women to a life of violence
THE lives of young women might be ruined by the Government’s failure to make forced marriages illegal, a senior police officer has warned. Commander Steve Allen of the Metropolitan Police said that a decision by ministers last month to drop proposed legislation had been greeted by some ethnic minorities as a signal that forced marriage was acceptable."
Wicked wedlock
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,542-2282799,00.html
"Forced marriage is a crime and should be recognised as such. Forced marriage is an abuse of fundamental rights and a form of domestic violence which cannot be justified on religious or cultural grounds. So said Baroness Scotland of Asthal, the Home Office minister, when she began examining ways to strengthen the law against a practice that condemns many young British women to lives of abuse, misery and virtual slavery. Her eventual answer — that extra training for professionals will suffice — has come as a devastating disappointment to many in the communities affected."
Andrew Norfolk
"A police chief accuses the Government of abandoning young women to a life of violence
THE lives of young women might be ruined by the Government’s failure to make forced marriages illegal, a senior police officer has warned. Commander Steve Allen of the Metropolitan Police said that a decision by ministers last month to drop proposed legislation had been greeted by some ethnic minorities as a signal that forced marriage was acceptable."
Wicked wedlock
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,542-2282799,00.html
"Forced marriage is a crime and should be recognised as such. Forced marriage is an abuse of fundamental rights and a form of domestic violence which cannot be justified on religious or cultural grounds. So said Baroness Scotland of Asthal, the Home Office minister, when she began examining ways to strengthen the law against a practice that condemns many young British women to lives of abuse, misery and virtual slavery. Her eventual answer — that extra training for professionals will suffice — has come as a devastating disappointment to many in the communities affected."
State plan: Keep ex-cons out of jail / The Detroit News
http://digbig.com/4mbtm
Kim Kozlowski
"Michigan will expand this fall a program designed to give prisoners the tools to avoid returning to the big house after parole, with hopes of taking it statewide by next year. The program provides housing, help finding employment in an effort to reduce prison costs. The effort is aimed at reducing the $117 million annual cost of housing repeat offenders. The Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative helps inmates explore housing options and job training opportunities months before their release. The program serves inmates for up to two years after their release, with parole agents and social agencies holding them accountable for reaching benchmarks aimed at giving them stability."
Kim Kozlowski
"Michigan will expand this fall a program designed to give prisoners the tools to avoid returning to the big house after parole, with hopes of taking it statewide by next year. The program provides housing, help finding employment in an effort to reduce prison costs. The effort is aimed at reducing the $117 million annual cost of housing repeat offenders. The Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative helps inmates explore housing options and job training opportunities months before their release. The program serves inmates for up to two years after their release, with parole agents and social agencies holding them accountable for reaching benchmarks aimed at giving them stability."
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Weaknesses in Computerized Linking Data Bases (c) 2006 from Criminal Psychology and Forensic Technology, CRC Press, 2001.
http://www.drmauricegodwin.com/vicap.htm
Dr. Maurice Godwin
"Several projects have been undertaken to develop computerized classification systems based on the offender's actions in the crime. These include the use of computer technology to coordinate large data-bases to link offenders' crime scene antecedents a cross different jurisdictions. For example, a small number of Police in the United Kingdom have developed their own computerized data-base for linking violent criminals, for example, HOLMES. In the USA, the FBI has a linking system called the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP). Other state linking systems are HALT in New York State and HVITS in the state of North Carolina. Broadly, the systems incorporate similar approaches to VICAP. Briefly, VICAP is a computer data base which depends on local and state police agencies to complete a check list of 186 questions about solved and unsolved crimes in their jurisdictions. T he computer system is designed to flag similarities that might otherwise go unnoticed, for example, in unsolved murders. While these technological advancements have provided law-enforcement officials with more efficient ways of storing and managing data, there are inherent problems."
Dr. Maurice Godwin
"Several projects have been undertaken to develop computerized classification systems based on the offender's actions in the crime. These include the use of computer technology to coordinate large data-bases to link offenders' crime scene antecedents a cross different jurisdictions. For example, a small number of Police in the United Kingdom have developed their own computerized data-base for linking violent criminals, for example, HOLMES. In the USA, the FBI has a linking system called the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP). Other state linking systems are HALT in New York State and HVITS in the state of North Carolina. Broadly, the systems incorporate similar approaches to VICAP. Briefly, VICAP is a computer data base which depends on local and state police agencies to complete a check list of 186 questions about solved and unsolved crimes in their jurisdictions. T he computer system is designed to flag similarities that might otherwise go unnoticed, for example, in unsolved murders. While these technological advancements have provided law-enforcement officials with more efficient ways of storing and managing data, there are inherent problems."
Future fuzzy for government use of public surveillance cameras .... / SF Chronicle, 23 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mbqj
Demian Bulwa
"Police say a camera's mere presence can deter criminals, while a crisp image can win a conviction. Police are asserting that they can catch crooks and respond better to emergencies by watching crime unfold in real time. They stress that the cameras have software that can block out spots where people still expect privacy, such as the windows of homes and hotel rooms. But critics say there's no evidence to support spending public money on cameras instead of traditional crime-fighting measures such as community policing programs and extra cops and street lighting."
Demian Bulwa
"Police say a camera's mere presence can deter criminals, while a crisp image can win a conviction. Police are asserting that they can catch crooks and respond better to emergencies by watching crime unfold in real time. They stress that the cameras have software that can block out spots where people still expect privacy, such as the windows of homes and hotel rooms. But critics say there's no evidence to support spending public money on cameras instead of traditional crime-fighting measures such as community policing programs and extra cops and street lighting."
[Canada] Crocodile tears for paper citizens / National Post, 22 July 2006
http://digbig.com/4mbqh
George Jonas
"Canadian passports are convenient -- which is why they're popular, and not only in Lebanon. They come with great benefits, potentially life-saving in volatile places, and oblige the holder to nothing. His sole investment is three years' residence, to be spent in Canada. Then, presto, he's a "Canadian" -- in addition, if he prefers, to whatever he actually is. Since 1977, no one has to give up any former citizenship; he can just add Canada's passport to his collection. People can come and go, live in a warmer climate, never set foot in Canada again, run for office in their real countries, nip back in for their open heart surgery, the works. Needless to say, citizens of convenience do nothing illegal or even unethical. They simply take advantage of the opportunity offered by our increasingly relaxed requirements and definitions of citizenship, which permit people with little or no commitment and investment in this country to share in its protection and benefits."
George Jonas
"Canadian passports are convenient -- which is why they're popular, and not only in Lebanon. They come with great benefits, potentially life-saving in volatile places, and oblige the holder to nothing. His sole investment is three years' residence, to be spent in Canada. Then, presto, he's a "Canadian" -- in addition, if he prefers, to whatever he actually is. Since 1977, no one has to give up any former citizenship; he can just add Canada's passport to his collection. People can come and go, live in a warmer climate, never set foot in Canada again, run for office in their real countries, nip back in for their open heart surgery, the works. Needless to say, citizens of convenience do nothing illegal or even unethical. They simply take advantage of the opportunity offered by our increasingly relaxed requirements and definitions of citizenship, which permit people with little or no commitment and investment in this country to share in its protection and benefits."
Islam and the West: Searching for Common Ground - The Terrorist Threat and the Counter-Terrorism Effort
PDF - http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/2006/RAND_CT263.pdf
Testimony presented to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 18, 2006
BRUCE HOFFMAN
Testimony presented to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 18, 2006
BRUCE HOFFMAN
Losing their way / CIPFA, 21 Jul 2006
http://www.cipfa.org.uk/publicfinance/features_details.cfm?news_id=28274
Alex Brazier and Vidya Ram
"Over the past year, the Hansard Society has been investigating the way Parliament scrutinises and authorises government spending and taxation. On July 4 we published our final report, The fiscal maze: Parliament, government and public money. We set out to ask whether Parliament does what is constitutionally expected of it, namely to hold government to account for the raising and spending of public money on behalf of the public it represents."
Alex Brazier and Vidya Ram
"Over the past year, the Hansard Society has been investigating the way Parliament scrutinises and authorises government spending and taxation. On July 4 we published our final report, The fiscal maze: Parliament, government and public money. We set out to ask whether Parliament does what is constitutionally expected of it, namely to hold government to account for the raising and spending of public money on behalf of the public it represents."
Trafficking in women and children
http://www.pavpub.com/pavpub/journals/CSJ/
Rachel Egan
Community Safety Journal Vol.5, Issue 1 - (part1): a literature review of contributory factors
Community Safety Journal Vol.5, Issue 2 - (part 2): strategies and responses [Sub Required]
Rachel Egan
Community Safety Journal Vol.5, Issue 1 - (part1): a literature review of contributory factors
Community Safety Journal Vol.5, Issue 2 - (part 2): strategies and responses [Sub Required]
Trying to make a silk purse from a sow’s ear? A comment on the Government’s prostitution strategy
Community Safety Journal, Volume 5 Issue 2 April 2006
PDF - http://www.pavpub.com/pavpub/journals/CSJ/thismonthssample.pdf
Margaret Melrose
"The government published A Co-ordinated Street Prostitution Strategy and Response to ‘Paying the Price’ in January 2006. In this article the proposals are critically assessed. It is argued that whilst there are some beneficial aspects, there is little new in the proposals that are based upon a long-standing paradigm."
PDF - http://www.pavpub.com/pavpub/journals/CSJ/thismonthssample.pdf
Margaret Melrose
"The government published A Co-ordinated Street Prostitution Strategy and Response to ‘Paying the Price’ in January 2006. In this article the proposals are critically assessed. It is argued that whilst there are some beneficial aspects, there is little new in the proposals that are based upon a long-standing paradigm."
White tornado sweeps through Home Office / The Herald, 21 Jul 2006
http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/66318.html
Alf Young
"John Reid is only in his eleventh week as home secretary. But boy has Tony Blair's renowned enforcer and principal apologist been on the case. In very short order Mr Reid concluded his new department was simply "not fit for purpose". Just as swiftly, this tribune of a party which came to power claiming it would be "tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime" let it be known - with an acute weather eye on what focus groups and Daily Mail headlines were telling him - that some judges down south were becoming much too lenient in their sentencing."
Alf Young
"John Reid is only in his eleventh week as home secretary. But boy has Tony Blair's renowned enforcer and principal apologist been on the case. In very short order Mr Reid concluded his new department was simply "not fit for purpose". Just as swiftly, this tribune of a party which came to power claiming it would be "tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime" let it be known - with an acute weather eye on what focus groups and Daily Mail headlines were telling him - that some judges down south were becoming much too lenient in their sentencing."
US toys with emergency warning system update ; Should mobiles and the net be brought into the loop? / Silicon, 21 Jul 2006
http://networks.silicon.com/mobile/0,39024665,39160584,00.htm
Anne Broache
"In an age of omnipresent mobile phone, internet and BlackBerry users, why does government rely primarily on analogue television and radio to beam its national emergency alerts?
Politicians asked that question - and urged support for legislation aimed at expanding the Cold War-era system. The hearing focused primarily on the Warning, Alert and Response Network, or Warn Act. That bill calls for government and the private sector to devise a "voluntary" national alert system capable of transmitting messages "across the greatest possible variety of communications technologies", including wireless devices and the internet."
Anne Broache
"In an age of omnipresent mobile phone, internet and BlackBerry users, why does government rely primarily on analogue television and radio to beam its national emergency alerts?
Politicians asked that question - and urged support for legislation aimed at expanding the Cold War-era system. The hearing focused primarily on the Warning, Alert and Response Network, or Warn Act. That bill calls for government and the private sector to devise a "voluntary" national alert system capable of transmitting messages "across the greatest possible variety of communications technologies", including wireless devices and the internet."
UK police collar "violent jihad" website operator : At the behest of the US government... / Silicon, 21 Jul 2006
http://networks.silicon.com/webwatch/0,39024667,39160581,00.htm
Declan McCullagh
"UK police have arrested a British citizen on charges he operated Islamic fundamentalist websites that preached "violent jihad". The arrest of Syed Talha Ahsan on Wednesday came at the request of the US government, which released a 14-page indictment accusing him of selling books, videotapes, audio cassettes and CD-ROMs that glorified "violent jihad in Chechnya, Bosnia, Afghanistan" and of funnelling money to groups that are deemed illegal by the federal government. The websites including azzam.com, azzam.co.uk, qoqaz.net, and qoqaz.co.uk, tout the virtues of jihad, primarily against the West and allied nations."
Declan McCullagh
"UK police have arrested a British citizen on charges he operated Islamic fundamentalist websites that preached "violent jihad". The arrest of Syed Talha Ahsan on Wednesday came at the request of the US government, which released a 14-page indictment accusing him of selling books, videotapes, audio cassettes and CD-ROMs that glorified "violent jihad in Chechnya, Bosnia, Afghanistan" and of funnelling money to groups that are deemed illegal by the federal government. The websites including azzam.com, azzam.co.uk, qoqaz.net, and qoqaz.co.uk, tout the virtues of jihad, primarily against the West and allied nations."
[Guernsey] Taser gives force a less-than-lethal gun / This is Guernsey, 21 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mbqf
Nigel Baudains
"POLICE will use their latest electric-shock weaponry only in exceptional circumstances. The force has taken delivery of its first Tasers, which temporarily incapacitate a subject by firing 50,000 volts into them. Chief officer George Le Page said the guns would assist the police greatly and reassure the public. But they could be deployed only in accordance with firearms-issue legislation and not independently."
Nigel Baudains
"POLICE will use their latest electric-shock weaponry only in exceptional circumstances. The force has taken delivery of its first Tasers, which temporarily incapacitate a subject by firing 50,000 volts into them. Chief officer George Le Page said the guns would assist the police greatly and reassure the public. But they could be deployed only in accordance with firearms-issue legislation and not independently."
The State Of Spam / TechWeb, 19 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mbqe
Christopher Heun
Filters have gotten so effective at keeping junk e-mail away from users that there's little public outcry against spam today. But behind the scenes, the problem is worse than ever -- and it could mask a serious, real-world threat. "The good news is the filtering systems have become better and better in corporate environments and at Internet service providers. The level of spam users have received has decreased. The bad news is the amount of overall spam hasn't decreased at all. It may be increasing." And it's getting increasingly pernicious. "The use of zombies as a tool in tandem with a real-world terrorist attack will happen, I have no doubt." —Neil Schwartzman, CAUCE Canada"
Christopher Heun
Filters have gotten so effective at keeping junk e-mail away from users that there's little public outcry against spam today. But behind the scenes, the problem is worse than ever -- and it could mask a serious, real-world threat. "The good news is the filtering systems have become better and better in corporate environments and at Internet service providers. The level of spam users have received has decreased. The bad news is the amount of overall spam hasn't decreased at all. It may be increasing." And it's getting increasingly pernicious. "The use of zombies as a tool in tandem with a real-world terrorist attack will happen, I have no doubt." —Neil Schwartzman, CAUCE Canada"
Support the Officers on the Street / Washington Post, 21 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mbqa
Kristopher Baumann
"Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey's latest declaration of a "crime emergency" in the District implies that a temporary or unexpected situation has arisen when in fact our city's crime problem is nothing new. What is occurring is that after eight years, the policies of this police administration are coming to fruition. Instead of fighting crime aggressively in the most violent communities, the Metropolitan Police Department has focused its resources on public relations and in neighborhoods where political influence and money have commanded attention. As a result, this administration has gathered praise from the community and media while violent crime has continued unchecked in the city's poorest neighborhoods."
Kristopher Baumann
"Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey's latest declaration of a "crime emergency" in the District implies that a temporary or unexpected situation has arisen when in fact our city's crime problem is nothing new. What is occurring is that after eight years, the policies of this police administration are coming to fruition. Instead of fighting crime aggressively in the most violent communities, the Metropolitan Police Department has focused its resources on public relations and in neighborhoods where political influence and money have commanded attention. As a result, this administration has gathered praise from the community and media while violent crime has continued unchecked in the city's poorest neighborhoods."
Stepping up the fight to beat taggers / Hownslow Guardian, 21 Jul 2006
http://digbig.com/4mbpy
Faye Duxberry
"Graffiti in the borough is to be targeted in a new drive by Hounslow Council to tackle the problem with tough action'. The council's community environment team is drawing up a hit list of graffiti hotspots. Vandals use a nickname or signature, known as a tag', to identify themselves and the team is recording which tags are appearing most frequently in a move to target and deter the most prolific offenders. To help implement the scheme the council has formed a second graffiti removal team, which will work its way around the borough on a monthly rota.
For the first time information on graffiti tags will be recorded and passed onto the police to assist them in combating this crime."
Faye Duxberry
"Graffiti in the borough is to be targeted in a new drive by Hounslow Council to tackle the problem with tough action'. The council's community environment team is drawing up a hit list of graffiti hotspots. Vandals use a nickname or signature, known as a tag', to identify themselves and the team is recording which tags are appearing most frequently in a move to target and deter the most prolific offenders. To help implement the scheme the council has formed a second graffiti removal team, which will work its way around the borough on a monthly rota.
For the first time information on graffiti tags will be recorded and passed onto the police to assist them in combating this crime."
What’s behind the rise of Yob Lit? / Spiked, 20 Jul 2006
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/article/1282/
Graham Barnfield
Books on ‘anti-social behaviour’ tend to reveal far more about the author’s mindsets than they do about life in Britain. At home and abroad, Britain is seen as a nation of binge drinkers and yobs. That is the claim of a recent survey by the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science. Given that public debate has agonised over the perceived problem of drinking and violence for several years now, it would be surprising if the survey registered anything else. It is questionable, though, whether incidents of drunken violence are actually rising; the survey wasn’t designed to measure anything like that." [Inlcudes bibliography]
Graham Barnfield
Books on ‘anti-social behaviour’ tend to reveal far more about the author’s mindsets than they do about life in Britain. At home and abroad, Britain is seen as a nation of binge drinkers and yobs. That is the claim of a recent survey by the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science. Given that public debate has agonised over the perceived problem of drinking and violence for several years now, it would be surprising if the survey registered anything else. It is questionable, though, whether incidents of drunken violence are actually rising; the survey wasn’t designed to measure anything like that." [Inlcudes bibliography]
Children: over-surveilled, under-protected / Spiked, 20 Jul 2006
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/article/1281/
Jennie Bristow
A recent conference in London highlighted the dangers of the government’s insidious monitoring of our children’s lives. How have we reached such a state of institutionalised suspicion that a respected vicar can be obliged to resign as a school governor for kissing a 10-year-old girl on the forehead in class? That’s what happened in Britain recently (see You must remember this..., by Josie Appleton). A recent London conference on child protection offered a rare chance to put such absurd events in some wider critical perspective. ‘Who is bringing children up? Are parents effectively nannies for the state’s children or are children born to families and the state just helps families when they ask for it?’ (1). The answer, as they say, is in the question."
Jennie Bristow
A recent conference in London highlighted the dangers of the government’s insidious monitoring of our children’s lives. How have we reached such a state of institutionalised suspicion that a respected vicar can be obliged to resign as a school governor for kissing a 10-year-old girl on the forehead in class? That’s what happened in Britain recently (see You must remember this..., by Josie Appleton). A recent London conference on child protection offered a rare chance to put such absurd events in some wider critical perspective. ‘Who is bringing children up? Are parents effectively nannies for the state’s children or are children born to families and the state just helps families when they ask for it?’ (1). The answer, as they say, is in the question."
An explosion of pity / Spiked, 21 Jul 2006
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/article/1284/
Brendan O’Neill
"Faisal Devji, author of Landscapes of the Jihad, explains how the London bombers were driven by pity – that most 'dangerous and bitter passion'. Millions, perhaps even billions of words have been written about al-Qaeda since 9/11, all of them struggling to explain this network’s origins, belief systems and methods. Devji cuts through the two most common perceptions about al-Qaeda: that it is political or religious. In fact, he says, it cannot be understood as a political movement in any traditional sense; indeed, it has dispensed with ‘an old-fashioned politics tied to states and citizenship’ (1). It is not traditionally religious, either, he argues, in the sense that it does not follow any recognisable Islamic hierarchy and chops and changes the religious justifications for its actions. "
Brendan O’Neill
"Faisal Devji, author of Landscapes of the Jihad, explains how the London bombers were driven by pity – that most 'dangerous and bitter passion'. Millions, perhaps even billions of words have been written about al-Qaeda since 9/11, all of them struggling to explain this network’s origins, belief systems and methods. Devji cuts through the two most common perceptions about al-Qaeda: that it is political or religious. In fact, he says, it cannot be understood as a political movement in any traditional sense; indeed, it has dispensed with ‘an old-fashioned politics tied to states and citizenship’ (1). It is not traditionally religious, either, he argues, in the sense that it does not follow any recognisable Islamic hierarchy and chops and changes the religious justifications for its actions. "
Say sorry - and we'll let you off / Manchester Evening News, 22 July 2006
http://digbig.com/4mbpx
Ian Craig
PILOT schemes will be set up in four police force areas giving youths the chance to avoid court if they apologise to their victims. And a scheme tested in Greater Manchester allowing the community to deal with crimes is to go nationwide. The government moves are to help speed up punishments by streamlining the court system. The plans would include next-day courts to prevent delays, "courts on the move" which would sit in local town halls, and more community justice courts, like the pioneer scheme in Salford. Youths who commit a low-level crime will be given the chance to avoid court if they apologise to their victims."
Ian Craig
PILOT schemes will be set up in four police force areas giving youths the chance to avoid court if they apologise to their victims. And a scheme tested in Greater Manchester allowing the community to deal with crimes is to go nationwide. The government moves are to help speed up punishments by streamlining the court system. The plans would include next-day courts to prevent delays, "courts on the move" which would sit in local town halls, and more community justice courts, like the pioneer scheme in Salford. Youths who commit a low-level crime will be given the chance to avoid court if they apologise to their victims."
DCRs highlight flaws in civil service delivery / CIPFA,
http://www.cipfa.org.uk/publicfinance/news_details.cfm?news_id=28295
"The government’s ambition to improve public services is being hindered by Whitehall’s ‘undoubted failure’ to grasp how to deliver services, an expert has told Public Finance.
Speaking in the wake of a damning assessment of Whitehall’s delivery functions, Guy Lodge, research fellow at the influential Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank, said that the civil service lacked the capacity, accountability, leadership and skills to deliver some key public services to the expected standard. "
"The government’s ambition to improve public services is being hindered by Whitehall’s ‘undoubted failure’ to grasp how to deliver services, an expert has told Public Finance.
Speaking in the wake of a damning assessment of Whitehall’s delivery functions, Guy Lodge, research fellow at the influential Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank, said that the civil service lacked the capacity, accountability, leadership and skills to deliver some key public services to the expected standard. "
Afghans in Saudi seek govt help in changing passports / Pajhwok Afghan News, 20 Jul 2006
http://www.pajhwak.com/viewstory.asp?lng=eng&id=21569
"Thousands of Afghan refugees in Saudi Arabia are facing acute problems while changing their Pakistani passports to Afghan passport. Most of them have been put behind the bars for holding Afghan passports without visas. Due to long wars and unemployment the Afghans first migrated to the neigbouring Pakistan from where they left for Saudi Arabia by Pakistani passports. The Afghans were compelled to arrive Pakistan from Saudi Arabia and then to Afghanistan. A spokesman said Afghan nationals would face harsh treatment if they reached Pakistan. He said: "We have been tortured in Pakistani airport for alleged links with terrorist and al-Qaeda."
"Thousands of Afghan refugees in Saudi Arabia are facing acute problems while changing their Pakistani passports to Afghan passport. Most of them have been put behind the bars for holding Afghan passports without visas. Due to long wars and unemployment the Afghans first migrated to the neigbouring Pakistan from where they left for Saudi Arabia by Pakistani passports. The Afghans were compelled to arrive Pakistan from Saudi Arabia and then to Afghanistan. A spokesman said Afghan nationals would face harsh treatment if they reached Pakistan. He said: "We have been tortured in Pakistani airport for alleged links with terrorist and al-Qaeda."
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