Human Rights and Federal Corrections: A Commentary on a Decade of Tough on Crime Policies in Canada by Ivan Zinger, J.D., Ph.D
Abstract: The present commentary documents how correctional authorities can capitalize on law-and-order politics, find new ways to advance their own agenda, and enjoy a certain degree of immunity from public scrutiny. It examines the impact on federal corrections of a decade of tough on crime policies in Canada, reviews correctional and conditional release statistics, and analyses trends that shaped federal corrections over that period. It also highlights how law-and-order politics can influence the internal culture of correctional authorities and human rights compliance. See the full article here.
The John Howard Society of Manitoba is grateful that access to this commentary has been provided with the permission of the Canadian Criminal Justice Association and the University of Toronto Press, Journals Division.
The John Howard Society of Manitoba Literacy Department launched a new peer tutoring program for the Winnipeg Remand Centre and this report provides an overview of its initial success.
Bill C-10 The Truth About Consequences
This is a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives produced in association with The John Howard Society of Manitoba to present a better alternative to successfully help rehabilitate offenders.
This is a fast facts sheet about what the impact of Bill C-10 will have on crime.
Expenditure Analysis of Criminal Justice in Canada – Office of The Parliamentary Budget Officer
This report contains an estimate of expenditures on criminal justice for the federal government, provinces and territories for the last eleven years; it includes policing, courts (judges, prosecutors, legal aid, and youth justice) and corrections (including parole) expenditures, prepared by the independent Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
Open Doors to Smarter Justice – Smart Justice Network Report
This September 2013 report presents a number of pieces that highlight the changes going through the criminal justice system, produced by the Smart Justice Network which is a collaborative effort of individuals and organizations discussing justice issues.
Community Integration Project for Ethnocultural Offenders – March 2013
This report summarizes a pilot project entitled “Community Integration Project for Ethno-cultural Offenders”, funded by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and operated by the Immigrant Centre of Manitoba Inc. ending March 2013
Throwing Away the Keys – The Human and Social Cost of Mandatory Minimum Sentences — 2013
Pivot Legal Society undertook this research in order to assess the effects of the Safe Streets and Communities Act on low income drug users and examine new criminal law provisions.
Town Hall Meetings on Access to Justice Final Report – Manitoba Bar Association – 2011
The Manitoba Bar Association held a series of Town Hall meetings in Manitoba during 2010/2011; the purpose was to bring together members of the public and the legal community to identify challenges in the justice system and offer solutions on how best to resolve them.
Denying EIA Benefits because of outstanding Warrants – Unwarranted!
An article co-authored between John Howard Society and Social Planning Council on the ineffectiveness and unfairness of denying Employment and Income Assistance benefits to those who need it most.
Conditional Sentencing Works Best – Winnipeg Free Press Op-Ed September 17, 2011
This op-ed piece written by John Hutton appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press discussing the need for conditional sentencing as an option.
Spirit Matters: Aboriginal People and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act
The Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) makes specific reference to the unique needs and circumstances of Aboriginal Canadians in federal corrections prepared by the Office of the Correctional Investigator.
John Howard Society of Manitoba clients share their thoughts on the ineffectiveness of Bill C-10 and other “tough on crime” policy.
Community Responding To Gangs 2010 Forum
This report highlights discussion from a conference funded by the Department of Justice – Youth Justice Fund and sponsored by the John Howard Society of Manitoba to explore community based approaches to violence and crime linked to gangs.
This review of the Correctional Service of Canada’s (CSC) implementation of its ‘Mental Health Strategy’ for offenders was commissioned by the Office of the Correctional Investigator as part of its investigation of the access and quality of mental health care for federal offenders.
Myths and Facts – Backgrounder on Issues for 2011 Provincial Election
This is a backgrounder that the John Howard Society of Manitoba prepared for the 2011 Election to correct misconceptions about crime and educate about justice. It was sent to political parties and media outlets during the 2011 provincial election.
Other items
Protesting Bill C-10
Nov. 8, 2011: 300 Winnipeggers demonstrated at the Manitoba Legislature and the Winnipeg Remand Centre to urge the Manitoba Government to join Quebec, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador in opposing the Harper government’s omnibus crime bill, misleadingly titled the Safe Streets and Communities Act (aka Bill C-10).
Protesting Bill C-10 at the Manitoba Legislative Building
Special Report on Aboriginal Corrections
Joining the John Howard Society press conference, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs’s Dennis White Bird speaks about the recommendations brought out by the Special Report on Aboriginal Corrections by the Canadian Correctional Investigator.
Special Report on Aboriginal Justice
Pamphlets and Brochures:
Prisoners’ Justice Day 2013 – Brochure
Prisoners Justice Day 2013 Newsletter
Prisoner’s Justice Day is a day of mourning, remembrance, advocacy and protest when prisoners and prisoner advocates can give a voice to some of the stories of injustice and human rights abuses that occur within the prison system.