Ninth Circuit Upholds ‘Shaming’ as Punishment for Theft of Mail / Metropolitan News, 10 Aug 2004

http://www.metnews.com/articles/2004/geme081004.htm

Kenneth Ofgang
"A supervised release condition requiring a defendant to stand in front of a San Francisco post office wearing a signboard stating “I stole mail. This is my punishment” was upheld yesterday by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The condition imposed on Shawn Gementera by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker of the Northern District of California was “was somewhat crude,” Judge Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain acknowledged. But the jurist concluded that it was reasonably related to rehabilitation, deterrence, and public protection and did not violate Gementera’s constitutional rights."

Government's policy of privately run jails set to continue / The Independent, 11 Aug 2004

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=550163

Nigel Morris
"The concept of privately run prisons originated in the United States and Australia, but has been adopted in this country with an almost evangelic enthusiasm by Tory and Labour home secretaries.

All three secure training centres for young offenders in the UK - including Hassockfield, where Adam Rickwood hanged himself - are privately run and a fourth due to open next year will be operated by Securicor.

Ten prisons in England and Wales, and an 11th that will open in 2005 in Peterborough, are also in the private sector. Among them are two that also hold young offenders, Ashfield in Bristol and Parc in South Wales, which was criticised yesterday for its poor healthcare facilities for juveniles."

Inquiry demanded into 'vengeful' punishment of vulnerable children / Indpendent, 11 Aug 2004

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=550164

Maxine Frith
"Some of the most vulnerable children are being failed by the criminal justice system, ministers have been warned.

The extent of the crisis was revealed last night in the wake of the apparent suicide of the youngest prisoner to die in custody in Britain. Record numbers of young people are being locked up, with child jails and young offenders' institutions operating at maximum capacity."

We wage war on our young offenders, says Gillwald [South Africa] / Cape Times, 11 Aug 2004

http://www.capetimes.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=271&fArticleId=2182610

Jeremy Michaels
"Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Cheryl Gillwald has hinted at a review of the parole system, warning that South Africa is "waging a war" on its youth by enforcing the current regime.

Young African men particularly were falling victim to a vicious crime cycle, going into prison at an early age and finding it difficult to find a role in society upon their release many years later, she said."

Juveniles to be tagged / The Australian, 11 Aug 2004

http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10410082%255E2761,00.html

"YOUNGSTERS who repeatedly break the law in Western Australia could soon be forced to wear electronic ankle bracelets as part of a crackdown on juvenile crime by the State Government. It is based on a similar system pioneered in the United States and which was now used in 30 states in that country as well as Canada, parts of Europe and New Zealand.

This new intensive supervision program is part of the biggest shake-up of juvenile justice in WA's history, which will combine tough new legislative measures with world's best practice programs."

Uni policing course planned / The Australian, 11 Aug 2004

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10410313%255E1702,00.html

Police recruits would be required to complete a university course in policing under a plan to help safeguard against corruption and further professionalise the force.

The scheme – which could be introduced from 2005-2006 – would require recruits to enrol as a university student and graduate with a higher education diploma, forcing them to meet both university and Victoria Police entry requirements.

Police chiefs launch review of Tasers / The Toronto Star, 11 Aug 2004

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1092175812192&call_page=TS_Canada&call_pageid=968332188774&call_pagepath=News/Canada&pubid=968163964505&StarSource=email

"Recent deaths prompt research. Stun guns have a `solid track record'. The country's police chiefs have launched a review of all information on the use of Taser guns in the wake of two recent deadly incidents involving the weapons.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police announced yesterday that it has commissioned "a unique and comprehensive review of scientific research, field reports, and data on the use of Tasers in police work in Canada and around the world."

The State of the Nation: an audit of injustice in the UK / Institute for Public Policy Research - 2 Aug 2004

http://www.ippr.org.uk/research/files/team41/project193/The%20State%20of%20the%20Nation,%20An%20Audit%20of%20Injustice%20in%20the%20UK.pdf
"Forms the first part of IPPR's work on Rethinking Social Justice, a project which assesses how Britain has changed since the 1994 establishment of the Commission on Social Justice and sets out new policy directions for the decade ahead.

IPPR's'state of the nation' assessment says the Government has been:

good on poverty but not so good on inequality;
better on income inequality than on wealth inequality;
helped working parents but done less for poor people without children; and
cut crime but the poorest are still more likely to suffer crime and the fear of crime."

Dutch terror law comes into force / Expatica Netherlands, 10 Aug 2004

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=1&story_id=10497

"A new Dutch terrorism law came into force on Tuesday, allowing for tougher sentencing of terrorists who commit criminal acts compared with sentences imposed on ordinary criminals for similar offences.

In addition, recruiting volunteers for Jihad and conspiracy to commit terrorist acts are now prosecutable offences. The Netherlands is following European guidelines regarding its sentencing laws."

Drink and drugs - the hidden problem of expat life / Expatica Germany, 11 Aug 2004,

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=26&story_id=10149

Robin Pascoe
"Given the lifestyle and constant change inherent in expatriate life — multiple moves, excessive work demands, travelling partners, loneliness, homesickness, stress, and peer pressure to name just a few — it isn't surprising that substance abuse is a challenge in global living.

But expats or their dependents with alcohol or drug dependencies are working their hardest to conceal their problem."

Federal Bureau of Investigation : Strategic Plan 2004 - 2009

http://www.fbi.gov/publications/strategicplan/strategicplanfull.pdf

Minister says roadside drug-testing technology being developed for Police / PublicTechnology, 10 Aug 2004

http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1568

"Department for Transport Road Safety Minister David Jamieson yesterday stressed the importance of alcohol locks in cars, and that technology to detect the presence of drugs at the roadside is being developed for use by Police.

He was speaking on the importance of cutting down on drink and drug driving at the start of the International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (ICADTS) in Glasgow."

David Jamieson today also spoke highly of the way Scottish road safety experts and practitioners were often in the forefront of the battle to reduce road casualties.

The Government has challenging targets on road safety. By 2010 it aims to:
> Reduce killed and serious injuries by 40% from the 1994-98 baseline.
> Reduce child killed and serious injuries by 50% against the same baseline.
> Reduce the rate of slight injuries by 10% against that baseline. "

ID cards - Digital sigantures [Estonia] - website

http://www.id.ee/pages.php/030301

"ID card is mandatory for all Estonian residents, including Estonian citizens and resident aliens.
The functions of ID card are twofold. First, it is very convenient to use it as a regular ID anywhere you would need to use one, such as proving your age or identity when paying at a retailer using a bank card, or at a local government office.
The ID card also functions as an electronic identity, enabling you to use services online conveniently and securely. The card is not limited to specific services. Any organization, be it public or private, has the opportunity to 'ID enable' its service and thus start serving you online.
You can also use your ID card to give digital signatures. According to Estonian law, digital signatures are equivalent to handwritten ones if the systems used to give and process it meet certain regulations. You can give digital signatures using the DigiDoc system provided by AS Sertifitseerimiskeskus ."

Can tolerant Canada tolerate sharia? / Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug 2004

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0810/p01s03-woam.html?s=hns

Susan Bourette
"Muslims here, supported by a 1991 provincial law, have been using sharia to mediate legal disputes, such as divorce and child custody. But in the spring, after a Muslim group proposed creating a formalized tribunal, what had been going on quietly for more than a decade became front-page fodder and led to a government review of the law"

UK Passport pictures to ban smiles / PublicTechnology, 9 Aug 2004

http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1560

"One also has to show a 'neutral' expression the rules say, which sounds like a remarkably subjective word to apply to someone's facial expression. If it came to an argument based on a passport picture rejection by UKPS, it'd be interesting to see what legal body would be ready to adjudicate on whether a facial expression were neutral or not.

There is real possibility that disabled people could be at a disadvantage if UKPS strictly enforces these guidelines. And if you ever try to take a photo for a baby or child's pasport, it's odds on the picture will not exactly comply. "

Home Office prohibits happy biometric passports | The Register, 6 Aug 2004

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/06/passport_scanners/

Lucy Sherriff
"The Home Office says all new passport photographs must be of an unsmiling face with its gob firmly shut because open mouths can confuse facial recognition systems.
It issued the new guidelines yesterday, The Sun reports, as part of the move towards biometric passports. The new rules come into immediate effect.
Getting computers to recognise faces is notoriously difficult. The theory sounds simple: the system marks each face it encounters on common reference points - the eyes and the tip of the nose for instance - and compares those with faces in its database.
The reality is that it is actually very difficult to do: the angle of each face to the camera must be close to identical to get a good comparison, extra shadows of a face can throw off the reference points, and it seems, teeth are also an overwhelming challenge. Even once these obstacles have been overcome, the accuracy is often low."

How does Britain Score? Asylum / Policy Exchange 9 aug 2004

http://www.policyexchange.org.uk/files/upld-research19pdf?.pdf

UK No1 country for asylum seekers / ic Berkshire , 8 Aug 2004

http://icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/nationalnews/tm_objectid=14510415&method=full&siteid=50102&headline=uk-no1-country-for-asylum-seekers-name_page.html

"Britain is still the number one destination for asylum seekers among the G7 major industrialised nations. a new report reveals.
Although recent legislation has had some impact, Britain still grants asylum to more people each year than Germany, Canada and even the USA, said the report from the centre-right Policy Exchange organisation."

Asylum system 'clearly in crisis' / BBC NEWS, 8 Aug 2004

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3545962.stm

"Asylum seekers are treated 'appallingly badly' and the system is 'clearly in crisis', according to the Immigration Advisory Service.
Chief executive Keith Best said the whole asylum policy would be 'shot through' if there was a major incident in the world.
But he praised the government on its labour migration policy saying the home secretary had 'broadly got it right'."

Soaring cost of expelling illegals / New Zealand Herald, 9 aug 2004

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3583004&thesection=news&thesubsection=general

STEPHEN COOK AND ANGELA GREGORY
"The cost to the taxpayer of sending illegal migrants home has nearly doubled in the past year, and now exceeds $3 million.
Most of those expelled - such as Iranian Saied Ghanbari, expelled at the weekend after more than a year on the run - are accompanied by officials.
Removal costs include air fares, departure taxes, escort and legal costs and interpreters' fees.
Immigration Service figures show that in the year to June 30, $3.08 million was spent on sending home 1205 illegal overstayers and people on temporary visas who committed crimes while in New Zealand. "

Are Sweden's prisons too humane? / IOL: Europe, 7 Aug 2004

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=24&art_id=qw1091870104495B213

Nina Larsen
"Renowned for its humane penal system with short sentences in comfortable prisons, Sweden has found itself enveloped in crisis following two large-scale jailbreaks and a number of less spectacular escapes over recent weeks."

Family Group Conferencing as a First Choice: Empowerment Versus Intervention / IIRP, 7 Aug 2004

http://www.familypower.org/library/bc04_vanpagee.html

Robert van Pagée
"Social science has paid little attention to the possibilities of restorative practices, compared to the attention that has been paid to traditional criminal justice practices. The notion that families can have a leading role in repairing what has happened is an unusual idea in contemporary society. This article is a plea for a more intensive use of restorative meetings as a model that results in supporting and reinforcing the social structure of our society."

Restorative Justice in Schools in Surrey, British Columbia/ IIRP, 6 Aug 2004

http://www.safersanerschools.org/library/bc04_hughlynnea.html

Rick Hugh and Jenni Lynnea

Magistrates to get Police National Computer access after successful trial / PublicTechnology, 6 Aug 2004

http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1545

"More than 680 offenders have been brought to justice seven months into a groundbreaking pilot project that gives magistrates' courts unprecedented access to the Police National Computer (PNC).

Department for Constitutional Affairs Courts Minister Christopher Leslie said the pilot's results successfully showed how magistrates' courts in Staffordshire are working with the police to make the criminal justice system more effective. "

In-car breath testers stop drunk drivers - the trial's starting / PublicTechnology,6 Aug 2004

http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1547

"New in-car breath-test technology to prevent drink-drivers from using their cars has unsurprisingly been sprawled across the tabloids, and is a trial about to start.

The alcohol ignition lock will be fitted into cars of convicted drink-drivers as part of a research project across Birmingham and Bristol. Recruitment of volunteers for the research has begun. "

Blunkett statement on Police funding situation / PublicTechnology, 6 Aug 2004

http://www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1550

"Home Office Home secretary David Blunkett yesterday made a statement over funding for the Police service. He highlights police staffing numbers but makes no mention of badly-needed extra resource to fight e-crime and online terrorism."

The future of policing / ic Southlondon,7 Aug 2004

http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0300southwark/tm_objectid=14503624&method=full&siteid=50100&headline=the-future-of-policing-name_page.html

"Chris Pagnell
LOCAL bobbies are pounding the beat once more. South Londoners on Southwark's Aylesbury estate were the first to sample a new era in community policing, care of the Safer Neighbourhood scheme. Investigates how this policing method is making communities safer...
THE fight against crime is coming full circle in an attempt to make our streets feel safer."

Asylum seekers can be locked up 'indefinitely' - / Sydney Morning Herald, 6 Aug 2004

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/06/1091732063216.html

"In a 4-3 majority, the court today ruled that unsuccessful asylum seekers who could not be removed to another country despite their wish to leave Australia could be held in immigration detention indefinitely. "

U.S. Diplomat Leads Charge Against Human Trafficking / RFE/RL, 5 Aug 2004

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/8/FB1D52A8-4382-4923-869A-D9D13AFD0A69.html

Don Hill
"The U.S. diplomat in charge of leading an American worldwide campaign against what is called 'trafficking in people' says that no nation in the world -- including the United States itself -- is doing enough to combat the practice. Ambassador John Miller, senior State Department adviser on people trafficking, says the world must take a more serious stance on a crime that is enslaving more than 800,000 people a year -- mostly women and children. Miller is visiting the Czech Republic this week in connection with a move there to legalize prostitution."

Immigration goes online to boost security / [Thailand] Phuket Gazette, 5 Aug 2004

http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=3588

"The Immigration Police have launched a project in Phuket that will eventually allow hotels and homeowners all over Thailand to report required data about their guests via the Internet.
The project is intended to help combat terrorism and monitor the movements of suspicious foreigners visiting Thailand.

Following refinement of the pilot project in Phuket, the system will then be launched in Chiang Mai. It is expected to be implemented nationwide some time next year.

The underlying database will also be linked to intelligence networks overseas."

Ottawa challenges sanctuary claims / [Canada] The Globe and Mail, 5 aug 2004

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040805/CHURCH05/TPNational/TopStories

Michael Valpy
"The Immigration Department yesterday challenged claims by national Christian leaders that their churches are careful to grant sanctuary from deportation orders only to people who have been treated unjustly or have had their lives put at risk by Canada's refugee adjudication system."

Cashpoint theft secrets revealed / ic Huddersfield, 5 Aug 2004

http://ichuddersfield.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_objectid=14500147&method=full&siteid=50060&headline=cashpoint-theft-secrets-revealed-name_page.html "
POLICE today spoke frankly about a high-tech crime that has happened in Huddersfield and is reaping thieves �1m a week across the UK.
The cash they are stealing after plundering bank accounts is thought to be used for organised crime.
Detectives in West Yorkshire have got their hands on the latest high-technology equipment devised by thieves to scan people's cashpoint cards and film them tapping in their Pin numbers at bank money dispensers."

Asylum seekers held in prison / BBC NEWS | Wales | 5 Aug 2004

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3539604.stm

"The Welsh Assembly Government has written to the Home Office to ask why asylum seekers are once again being housed in Cardiff Prison. "

Aggravated Sentencing: Blakely v Washington - practical im;ications forState sentencing systems / Ver Publications, Aug 2004

http://www.vera.org/publication_pdf/242_456.pdf

Wool and Don Stemen
"The Supreme Court sent the criminal justice systems in perhaps half of the states, and the federal system, into a state of simmering unrest. Blakely v. Washington cast doubt on two decades of efforts to channel judicial discretion in sentencing by finding that the Sixth Amendment forbids a judge to increase a criminal sentence based on facts not found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt, even when those sentences are well short of statutory maximums."

From Restorative Justice to Restorative Practices: espanding the paradigm / IIRP, 5 Aug 2004

http://www.iirp.org/library/bc04_wachtel.html

Ted Wachtel & Paul McCold
Discusses conceptual foundations of restorative practices,
including the psychology of affect, the compass of shame and fair
process. Touches on formal and informal applications of
restorative practices in multiple environments, from schools to the
workplace.

Disabled priosn officers 'sacked' BBC News, 4 Aug 2004

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3880017.stm
Geoff Adams-Spink
"Prison Officers will soon be covered by disability laws
A union claims the prison service has sacked officers ahead of new laws on disability discrimination.
The Prison Officers Association says there has been an increase in dismissals on medical grounds before legislation comes into effect.
The Home Office has denied the charge, saying it has been addressing sickness absence for a number of years. "

Victims of Violent Juvenile Crime [USA] / OJJDP Bulletin -- July 2004

http://www.ncjrs.org/html/ojjdp/201628/contents.html

Doe Network: International Center for Unidentified and Missing Persons

doenetwork.org

"A volunteer organization devoted to assisting Law Enforcement in solving cold cases concerning Unexplained Disappearances and Unidentified Victims from North America, Australia and Europe." Includes extensive photo and case files on both unidentified victims and unexplained disappearances. The database can be searched by names, location, dates, and other keywords. Forms are available to add both unidentified victims and missing persons to the database."

Final Report / OxyContin task force report, June 2004

http://www.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/oxyfinal/OxyContinFinalReport.pdf

Police should have access to medical information to stop people from illegally obtaining the powerful painkiller OxyContin.

Current Strategies for Reducing Recidivism / Center for Impact Reserach August 2004

http://www.impactresearch.org/documents/applyingonline.pdf

Finds that mandatory addiction treatment, education programs, and employment services are effective in preventing people involved in the justice system from returning to prison.

When politics gets in the way of policing / Scotsman, 2 Aug 2004

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=884602004

Dan McDougall
"The crisis surrounding how to tackle increasing criminality within Scotland�s Asian community is one that sees the need to imprison those who threaten the fabric of our society overshadowed by politics and the spectre of police racism. "

Al-Qaeda cyber terrorist panics US | The Register, 2 Aug 2004

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/02/al_qaeda_cyber_terror_panic/
Thomas C Greene
"The New York Times claims that Khan had 'told investigators that most of al-Qaeda's communications were now done through the Internet, the official said. After a message was sent and read by the recipient, the entire communication and related files were deleted to maintain secrecy, he said. Mr. Khan had told investigators that e-mail addresses were generally not used more than a few times.'"

Drug dosages increasing: Dutch study / The Australian:, 23 July 2004]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,10221669%5E23289,00.html

Ecstasy is being taken in stronger doses in the drug-tolerant Netherlands but fewer people became ill while using it last year, according to a study published Thursday.

The conclusions were reached by the National Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, which tested nearly 4,500 pills provided by users or confiscated from revelers at nightclubs, where use of the amphetamine is most popular. "

'ID cards could ignore Welsh' / The Western Mail, 2 Aug 2004

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=14486440&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=-id-cards-could-ignore-welsh--name_page.html

"IDENTITY cards that all British citizens may have to carry under new Home Office proposals could neglect the Welsh language completely, the Eisteddfod will hear today.
Aled Edwards, the Welsh churches liaison officer with the Welsh Assembly, says draft legislation has no provision for using the Welsh language on the cards.
Mr Edwards is using Eisteddfod week to call on the Welsh Assembly Government to use its powers and insist that either the cards are bilingual, or are not used in Wales."

EU executive distances itself from German asylum-seekers row / EU Business, 2 Aug 2004

http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/040802173829.slr1seld

"The European Commission denied Monday that it had any plans to propose EU countries set up camps in Africa to handle asylum-seekers as a row raged in the German government over such a suggestion."

Crime increasingly 'exported' / [Israel] : Jerusalem Post Internet Edition, 2 Aug 2004

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1091416715116

YAAKOV KATZ
"In recent months, police have gathered intelligence indicating that criminals have begun to "export" their illegal dealings abroad in response to intense pressure placed on the organizations by the police force."

Child pornography: an international perspective Computer Crime Research, 2 Aug 2004

http://www.crime-research.org/articles/536/

Margaret A Healy

NSW Legislative Council's Inquiry on Home Detention / Sydney indymedia, 2 Aug 2004

http://sydney.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=44268&group=webcast

Preventing New Perpetrators [ Germany ] / Deutsche Welle, 2 Aug 2004

http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1432_A_1281584_1_A,00.html

"While German programs to prevent sexual abuse of children have so far mainly focussed on awareness among parents and educators, a new project in Berlin plans to offer treatment to people before they become perpetrators."

Incompetent jurors spark call for reform -Sydney Morning Herald, 2 August 2004

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/01/1091298577463.html

Michael Pelly
"One of NSW's most senior judges has called for the introduction of majority verdicts, saying 'a perverse, disinterested or simply incompetent juror' can get in the way of obvious decisions.
In a wide-ranging speech on the future of criminal law, Justice John Dunford of the NSW Court of Appeal also said some judges were too quick to reduce sentences because of special circumstances and that parole periods were not being enforced.
He criticised the Director of Public Prosecutions for accepting lesser charges and said police before conduct tribunals should be charged before the courts."

Dispersal of HIV-positive asylum seekers often medically inappropriate finds study / Aidsmap, 30 July 2004

Aidsmap | Dispersal of HIV-positive asylum seekers often medically inappropriate finds study: "Michael Carter
The overwhelming majority of doctors with experience of treating HIV-positive asylum seekers believe that the current policy of dispersing asylum seekers at short notice around the UK can have negative health implications, including the development of resistance to antiretrovirals, mother-to-baby transmission of HIV, according to a paper published in the July 31st edition of the British Medical Journal. "

Cops take a POP at crime / ic Solihull, 30 July 2004

ic Solihull - Cops take a POP at crime ..TEXT: MOUNTAIN biking police will be hitting the streets of Solihull in a new initiative to cut down on crime.: "Lisa Wright
TEXT: MOUNTAIN biking police will be hitting the streets of Solihull in a new initiative to cut down on crime
The 'POP' team, which stands for Problem Orientated Policing, is due to begin in September, to tackle anti-social behaviour hotspots and reduce the fear of crime.

Voice in the sky warning to yobs / Evening Leader, 29 July 2004

Editorial Detail Page: "Wrexham is to be the first town in North Wales to have street speakers to warn yobs they are being filmed by CCTV cameras.

Special talking signs have been installed in the town centre informing passers-by they are being watched in a bid to ensure pub and clubgoers behave themselves.
Police and town chiefs hope the new technology, the first of its kind in North Wales, will further reduce anti-social behaviour in the town centre."

Reports Shows Link Between Addiction, Mental Illness / Join Together, 29 July 2004

Reports Shows Link Between Addiction, Mental Illness: "A new report, Serious Mental Illness and Its Co-Occurrence with Substance Use Disorders, illustrates the association between mental illness and addiction among adults aged 18 or older, according to a July 29 news release from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The Report - http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/CoD/CoD.htm"

YouthZone the link between kids and community / Glenwood Springs Post Independent, 29 July 2004

Glenwood Springs Post Independent - Valley News: "'Carrie Click
We literally provide connections between kids, their families and their communities,' YouthZone executive director Debbie Wilde said. 'We're the connecting piece, the mortar, between the bricks - between social services, law enforcement, schools and the youth we serve.'"

Ireland Considers Vaccinating Against Drug Addiction / Join Together, 28 July 2004

Ireland Considers Vaccinating Against Drug Addiction: "The Irish government is being asked to consider a radical approach to fighting addiction: vaccinating children against future heroin, cocaine, and nicotine misuse.
Belfast Telegraph - http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=544782

National crime rate jumps in 2003 [Canada] / CBC ews, 28 July 2004

CBC News:National crime rate jumps in 2003: "An increase in counterfeiting, stolen cars and break-ins drove the national crime rate up six per cent last year despite a drop in the murder rate, Statistics Canada reported on Wednesday.
The increase in the overall rate for 2003 was the first substantial spike for a decade"

How Can I Recognize Trafficking Victims? / Community Depatch, 28 July 2004

How Can I Recognize Trafficking Victims?: "U.S.Department of State Fact Sheets
Because trafficking in persons is usually an 'underground' crime, it can be difficult for law-enforcement personnel, the public, or service providers to readily identify a trafficking victim and/or a trafficking scenario. There have been cases of victims escaping and reporting the situation to the police. However, many are physically unable to leave their work sites without an escort and are not free to contact family, friends, or members of the public."

U.S. Prison, Parole Population Soars to New Highs / Join together, 27 July 2004

U.S. Prison, Parole Population Soars to New Highs: "A record-setting 6.9 million adults, or one in 32 Americans, were in prison or on parole last year, about 131,000 more than in 2002. Of those on probation, 25 percent were convicted of a drug violation.

Justic Department Study - http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/ppus03.htm"

Terrorists spread their messages online | The Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2004

Terrorists spread their messages online | csmonitor.com: "Faye Bowers
A growing number of Al Qaeda websites offer instructions for kidnapping and killing victims."

|Does Immigration stop the right people? / BBC NEWS, 27 July 2004

BBC NEWS | UK | Does Immigration stop the right people?: "Dominic Casciani
There are 200 more people in the queue at your immigration desk and you're not quite sure about what the young man from Brazil is telling you about his plans to learn English for the summer in London. What do you do - wave him through or hold him back for further interview?
That's the dilemma faced by the UK's immigration officers everyday at the country's ports - but do they get it right?

Immigration Report - http://ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/home/0/reports/second_annual_report.Maincontent.0002.file.tmp/JP543%20(Annual%20Report%202003%20final).pdf "

Young Offenders to Be Drug Tested / Scotsman, 27 July 2004

Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Young Offenders to Be Drug Tested: "Teenagers who are charged with drug-related crimes are to be tested for class A drugs, Home Office Minister Caroline Flint announced today.

As part of the Government's drive to get drug users into treatment and break the links between drugs and crime, the new scheme will be piloted in ten areas from 1 August. Fourteen to seventeen year-olds who are charged for a 'trigger offence', such as burglary, car crime and theft, will be tested for heroin, crack and cocaine. Those testing positive will be referred to specialist youth workers."

The Battle for German Muslim Minds / Deutsche Welle , 27July.2004

The Battle for German Muslim Minds | Current Affairs | Deutsche Welle | 27.07.2004: "Police raids on Islamic schools may shake up fundamentalist cells, but officials agree that the right teachers are the best way to root out radical Islamic leanings among Germany's Muslim youth.

Officials know that raids alone can't root out radicalism in pockets of Germany's 3.2 million-strong Muslim community. One of the best hopes remains ending the monopoly on Islamic teachings held by dubious Imams and teachers in courtyard mosques, and bringing Muslim children back into the educational mainstream.
"

Pay-or-stay law to bar crims from travel / STUFF New Zealand, 28 July 2004

STUFF : NATIONAL NEWS - STORY : New Zealand's leading news and information website: "NICK VENTER
People who fail to make good their crimes will be stopped from leaving the country if Parliament accepts a select committee's recommendations.

Legislation before Parliament gives authorities the power to stop fines defaulters at airports if they owe more than $1000 and if an arrest warrant has been issued for them. But the committee that heard public submissions on the bill has recommended that Parliament tighten the restrictions on those ordered to compensate their victims. "

Va. School Focuses on Character / Join Together, 26 July 2004

Va. School Focuses on Character: "character education is the cornerstone of the program. Throughout the building are banners promoting motivation phrases that emphasize integrity, honesty, courage, patriotism, and respect for one's self and others. "

Swedes Get Sloshed on Alcoholic Soap Suds (Sweden) / Newsday, 27 July 2004

Newsday.com - AP World News: "TOMMY GRANDELL - Associated Press
Some people at a three-day music festival in southern Sweden got more than just clean hands from the liquid soap in the portable toilets. They got a nice clean buzz, too.

Since the detergent had 62 percent alcohol in it, some users were more keen on spiking their sodas than washing their hands. "

Flawed homeland security The Japan Times, 25 July 2004

The Japan Times Online: "RONALD A. MORSE
The implications of Japan's flawed domestic crime and security apparatus are also linked to much larger issues. International money laundering by Japan's crime syndicates is a major problem. Aum Shinrikyo was not taken seriously by the Japanese police, and this led to the death of Japanese. Until recently, loopholes in banking controls made Japan the largest source of illegal funds to North Korea. Al-Qaeda operatives and North Koreans find no trouble in using fake passports to enter Japan. Japan still has no law against espionage, and treason can only be punished in times of war."

Price hike for Belgium's e-ID cards / Expatica Belgium,26 July 2004

Expatica � Living in, moving to, or working in Belgium, plus Belgian news in English: "Belgium's new electronic identity cards will cost up to four times the price of their low tech counterparts, it was revealed on Monday.
Communes in charge of distributing the new ID cards may charge citizens EUR 10 to 15 for each hi-tech card, in comparison to the present EUR 5 to 7."

Crimebusting scheme hailed / ic Coventry - 24 July 2004

ic Coventry - Crimebusting scheme hailed: "Arryn Buggins
Warwickshire Youth Offending Service has worked with Shire Hall's education and social services team, ConneXions, health authorities, and police, in the project where the criminals are assessed and then put on an ISSP. Their other option is custody.
They have at least 25 hours of supervision a week, including education or training and community reparation. The offender is tagged, faces a curfew and is visited at least twice daily."

Police to retain DNA records of cleared suspects / The Register,23 July 2004

Police to retain DNA records of cleared suspects | The Register: "John Leyden
Police will be able to keep DNA and fingerprint records of innocent people on file indefinitely following a landmark legal ruling yesterday.
The House of Lords, the highest court in England and Wales, upheld earlier rulings by the High Court and Court of Appeal against two people who wanted their records destroyed by South Yorkshire Police after separate criminal investigations against them were dropped. Five law lords unanimously ruled that the need to solve crimes outweighed civil liberties concerns.
The law was changed in 2001 to allow police to keep samples from suspects for use in 'crime prevention or investigation'."

Meth Use Causes Extensive Brain Damage / Join Together, 22 July 2004

Meth Use Causes Extensive Brain Damage: " The first high-resolution MRI study of individuals addicted to methamphetamine (meth) finds that the drug causes extensive brain damage among long-term users, the New York Times reported July 20.

Dr. Paul Thompson, an expert on brain mapping at the University of California, Los Angeles, said the MRI study showed 'a forest fire of brain damage.' He added, 'We expected some brain changes, but didn't expect so much tissue to be destroyed.'"

Colo. Corrections Uses Eye Scans to Test for Drugs (USA) / Join Together, 22 July 2004

Colo. Corrections Uses Eye Scans to Test for Drugs: "Larimer County Community Corrections in Colorado is using advanced technology that scans for alcohol and other drug use by measuring involuntary eye movement, the Coloradoan reported July 20.

Called PassPoint, the machine is expected to reduce costs, allow for more frequent testing and enable the facility to take on more clients. PassPoint uses a series of cameras and computers to scan for drug use through the pupil of the eye."

Study: Youngsters Smoking Less, Avoiding Crime Join together, 22 July 2004

Study: Youngsters Smoking Less, Avoiding Crime: " A U.S. government study finds that more children are practicing healthy and safe behaviors, including turning away from cigarettes and avoiding crime, Time magazine reported July 26.
The report, America's Children in Brief, is available on the National Center for Health Statistics website. http://childstats.gov/americaschildren/ "

Communities Nationwide See Increase in Gang Activity Join Together, 22 July 2004

Communities Nationwide See Increase in Gang Activity: "Law-enforcement officials are seeing a resurgence of gangs and the violence associated with them in cities across the nation, USA Today reported July 20.

Although overall crime rates have remained low, police report a rise in homicides linked to gangs. In particular, police are seeing a reemergence in gang activities by the Crips, the Bloods, the Mexican Mafia, and the Gangster Disciples, all of whom were associated with the turf wars over crack cocaine during the 1980s."

Immigrant tagging, tracking & voice recognition enabled by new Asylum Act / PublicTechnology, 23July 2004

Immigrant tagging, tracking & voice recognition enabled by new Asylum Act :: PublicTechnology.net :: e-Government & public sector IT news from: "The Government's reform of the asylum and immigration system, was boosted yesterday as legislation to tackle abuse in the system received Royal Assent.

The Act allows the electronic tagging, tracking and the use of voice recognition technology of those subject to immigration control, including asylum seekers, as an alternative to detention for those at low risk of absconding.

The Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc) Act 2004 will help tackle organised immigration crime, make the appeals system faster and more decisive to prevent failed asylum seekers from creating delays, and will ensure asylum seekers and other immigration applicants do not benefit from dishonesty by destroying their documents to prevent removal.

As part of the wider review of the immigration system, measures in the Act will also help tackle sham marriages and require failed asylum seekers who cannot immediately be removed to participate in community work in return for support until they are able to leave. "

New gun policy for parolees creates problems, not solutions USA / Etroit Free Press, 22 July 2004

LOCAL COMMENT: New gun policy for parolees creates problems, not solutions: "BARBARA R. LEVINE
Under a policy that Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently announced, a parolee who possesses a gun or associates with someone possessing a gun will be returned to prison for 5 years or the remainder of his or her maximum sentence, whichever is less. Returning to mandatory penalties is a huge step backwards."

EU: Germany Revisits Controversial Idea Of Asylum Centers Outside EU / RADIO FREE EUROPE/ RADIO LIBERTY, 22 July 2004

RADIO FREE EUROPE/ RADIO LIBERTY: "Ahto Lobjakas
In a surprising move, Germany is calling for 'safe zones' to be set up in North Africa for refugees heading for Europe. German Interior Minister Otto Schily says such centers would enable the bloc to turn back refugee ships such as the 'Cap Anamur,' which made its way to Italy last month. However, the European Commission appears cautious, and the United Nations has long indicated that the idea contravenes international law. However, EU officials note the bloc needs to do something, as economic migrants threaten to clog its asylum systems."

Authorities crack down on drugs at the wheel / swissinfo, 22 July 2004

Swiss news from swissinfo, the Swiss news platform: "Smoking a joint at the wheel could cost drivers their licences. Anyone caught under the influence of drugs at the wheel faces a minimum three-month driving ban from the beginning of next year. Saliva tests are also being introduced in a bid to crack down on drivers found to have taken drugs."

Bugging will bust NI racketeers - report / u.tv, 22 July 2004

::: u.tv :::: "Sophisticated bugging devices need to be used to help jail crime bosses running multi-million pound rackets in Northern Ireland, according to a report published today. Specialist private firms should be brought in as well to target corruption centred around the construction industry and charity sectors, the expert insisted.
"

A single asylumprocedure / European Commission Communication, July 2004

Drug Situation in Canada - 2003

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/crimint/drugs_2003_e.htm "'This report describes illicit drug trafficking activity in Canada in 2003. It is based on information and intelligence gleaned from investigations and seizures conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and various Canadian agencies and departments involved in drug enforcement."

The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States: Final Report / July 2004

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/911/index.html
Also be available on the Commission's site at: http://www.9-11commission.gov "

Police welcome private cops / ic Coventry, 21 July 2004

ic Coventry - Police welcome private cops: "Barbara Goulden

A police chief says he welcomes shock moves by parish councillors to pay for their own private detectives to investigate village crime. The inspector says he does not agree with villagers' claims that they only see a community beat bobby "once in a blue moon", he welcomes the plan to engage private detectives to gather evidence against those suspected of anti-social behaviour."

Prison Memo Outlines Stricter Rules For Pepper Spray Use - USA / TheWBALChannel, 21 July 2004

TheWBALChannel.com - News - Prison Memo Outlines Stricter Rules For Pepper Spray Use: "State prison commissioner Frank Sizer has reportedly announced stricter guidelines for the use of pepper spray by prison guards.
In a recent internal memo obtained by The (Baltimore) Sun, Sizer says only a warden or assistant warden can now authorize using chemical agents on inmates held in segregation units. Previously, a senior correctional supervisor could approve its use.
The policy change came about two months after an inmate at a prison near Cumberland died after he was subdued with three cans of pepper spray."

New passport database will tie in with ID cards / vnunet.com, 21 July 2004

vnunet.com - New passport database will tie in with ID cards: "Emma Nash and Sarah Arnott, Computing 21 Jul 2004
The UK Passport Service (UKPS) is to implement a new database to contribute to the government's proposed identity card programme. System will be phased in over next five years to meet 'new demands'."

European Commission proposes "free market" for law enforcement database access / Statewatch, July 2004

Statewatch News Online: European Commission proposes "free market" for law enforcement database access: "At the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 19 July 2004 in Brussels Commissioner Vittorino drew attention to the European Commission Communication titled: 'Towards enhancing access to information by law enforcement agencies' (COM (2004) 429/4). This proposes that all law enforcement agencies (police, customs, immigration) should have access to each others databases right across the 25 EU states and even non-EU states.
Where at the moment there are strict rules on cross-border access data - for example in the Schengen Information System (SIS), that immigration data can be accessed by immigration and border officials and police data by police officers - these would disappear under this proposal"

Agencies criticized for overclassifying information / GovExec July 2004

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0704/072604c1.htm
Chris Strohm
The federal commission investigating the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks determined last week what open government advocates have long argued: Federal agencies are overclassifying information.
According to the commission, poor information-sharing among federal agencies was a primary problem that contributed to the attacks. The panel's final report, issued last week, recommends that the overall budget of the intelligence community should be declassified, and information sharing should be stressed over information hoarding. Indeed, Chairman Thomas Kean told reporters after the report was released that half of all the classified documents he reviewed did not need to be classified.
"The culture of agencies feeling they own the information they gathered at taxpayer expense must be replaced by a culture in which the agencies instead feel they have a duty to the information—to repay the taxpayers' investment by making the information available," the report concluded. "Current security requirements nurture overclassification and excessive compartmentalization of information among agencies."

European Commission publishes first annual report on migrationand integration:/ Satewatch, July 2004

http://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/jul/migration-com-04-508.pdf

Opiate Replacement Therapy Rarely Available to Inmates / Join Together, 20 July 2004

Opiate Replacement Therapy Rarely Available to Inmates: "Annie Turner

Recognizing a huge opiate-addiction problem among inmates, New Mexico is breaking new ground by extending methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) to local prisons. Across the country, however, few prisons provide MMT to patients.

In February, Bernalillo County, N.M., announced the opening of the nation's first public-health office inside a county jail, and said the program would pilot an MMT initiative as part of its patient services."

Medical Examiners Link Deaths to Tasers / Join together, 20 July 2004

Medical Examiners Link Deaths to Tasers: "Medical examiners have linked at least five deaths to the use of Taser electric stun guns by police, despite claims by the manufacturer that Tasers are harmless, the Associated Press reported July 19."

Cyber cop going, going, gone / Sydney Morning Herald, 20 July 2004

Cyber cop going, going, gone - Next - smh.com.au: "Patrick Gray
Alastair MacGibbon fears our money, privacy and even our identities are all soft targets for a new breed of criminal. MacGibbon, who this week takes up the post of cyber security boss of the Australian arm of online auction house eBay, fears organised syndicates will win the online crime war unless internet users take personal responsibility for the security of their information."

Can spy agencies ever work together? / The Christian Science Monitor , 21 July 2004

Can spy agencies ever work together? | csmonitor.com: "Peter Grier and Faye Bowers
Despite failed attempts to reform intelligence structure in the past, the 9/11 report may ensure change happens this time.
Systemic reform of US intelligence may - repeat, may - be something whose time has come.
For decades the CIA and other national intelligence agencies have periodically drawn scrutiny for perceived shortcomings. At times the spotlight has been followed by bureaucratic shake-up. But Langley's spies, the analysts of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and other US intelligence personnel have avoided some of the largest suggested changes, such as the establishment of a more powerful national intelligence director."

Is it fair and legal for inmates to foot their room and board? | Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2004

Is it fair and legal for inmates to foot their room and board? | csmonitor.com: "Sara B. Miller
The Sheriff took away their weights and pull-up bars and rolled their television sets out of sight. He banned smoking - and thenslapped a daily $5 room-and-board fee for the 1,000-some inmates in his custody.
The sheriff, whose controversial moves have made headlines before, equates himself to being 'the tough-love parent.'"

Making capital out of punishment / spiked,20 July 2004

spiked-liberties | Article | Making capital out of punishment: "Josie Appleton
Britain is ravaged by crime. The 1960s liberal consensus has eroded people's sense of social responsibility, fuelling a culture of 'thuggery and intimidation'. 'Feral children' are terrorising London boroughs, and people live in fear of violent crime. Decent, law-abiding citizens are crying out for the government to do something about it.

But the crime strategy is less a response to a real public menace than a vehicle for New Labour's political agenda. Rather than catching criminals, this is a plan for connecting with citizens. What we are seeing is an isolated political elite trying to use the police, courts and law for social inclusion, in an attempt to connect with people and show them that the government cares."

Organised crime taking over spam - survey / Digital Media Europe, 20 July 2004

Digital Media Europe: News - Organised crime taking over spam - survey: "Remi Gamba
Spam has evolved over the last 12 months, with the overriding trend being the transition of spam from being annoying and indecent to illegal and malicious, according to online security firm Clearswift, which has recently announced the findings of its thirteenth spam index. "

Force's Recruits Will Join First Policing Degree Course / Scotsman, 20 July 2004

Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Force's Recruits Will Join First Policing Degree Course: "Rod Minchin, PA News
New recruits to a UK police force will become the first in England and Wales to study for a degree in policing, it was revealed today.

Probationary officers joining Cleveland Police will start the two-year Foundation Degree in Police Studies at the University of Teesside in September."

Village call in private eyes / ic Coventry, 20 July 2004

Annette Morgan
A Warwickshire village is to employ a private detective agency because they say the police are not doing a good enough job."

The new face of cybercrime / CNET News.com 20 July 2004

The new face of cybercrime | Perspectives | CNET News.com: "Phillip Hallam-Baker
You once could explain away Internet attacks as destruction for destruction's sake. But many of the juvenile delinquents of the 1990s have since graduated from mere vandalism to hacking for monetary gain.
One of the consequences of this change is spam. Who hasn't received dubious e-mail propositions from people purporting to be Nigerian merchants? Respond to them, and you risk joining a crowd of people who have lost huge sums in scams run by organized crime. "

- Drugs cure hope for violent thugs / Scotsman, 20 July 2004

Scotsman.com News - Sci-Tech - Drugs cure hope for violent thugs: "FIONA MACGREGOR
DRUGS could be used to help 'cure' violent criminals instead of sending them to prison, scientists said today.

By studying how genes influence aggressive behaviour in mice and monkeys, researchers believe medicines could be developed to treat the 'bad' or aggressive genes in humans.

United States academic, Professor Donald Pfaff, said research shows conventional, 'good old-fashioned punishment' does not work. "

Refugees urged to get involved in integration strategy / 4NI , 20 July 2004

4NI - Northern Ireland On The Internet: "Refugees have been called on to make their voice heard on a new national refugee integration strategy published for consultation by the Home Office today.
The strategy, 'Integration Matters', which is open for consultation for three months, sets out the government's long term plans to help recognised refugees integrate into the fabric of UK society."