Parole is challenging for women leaving prison

January 24, 2024

Post #234 1200 words; 5 minutes to read Audio summary by volunteer law student Hannah Lee Summary: Women released on parole face many obstacles to building good lives, some of which are a direct result of the parole system itself....

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Former ‘tough on crime’ advocate changes views radically

January 8, 2024

Post #233 900 words; 4 minutes to read   Summary: Ben Perrin, law professor and former advisor to the Harper government, makes a compelling argument for a dramatic change in our approach to criminal justice. ‘Indictment’, by Benjamin Perrin.  University...

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2023: Not a good year for criminal justice policy

December 27, 2023

Post # 232 700 words; 3 minutes to read Summary: Many developments in criminal justice policy in Canada in 2023 were disappointing and conflict with the evidence. 2023 has been a difficult year in many ways, all around the world. ...

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The inequality of Canada’s criminal justice system

December 5, 2023

Post #231 911 words; 4 minutes to read Summary: Despite its envisioned role as a place for individuals who have committed crimes, the Canadian criminal justice system is one that disproportionately disadvantages the poor and marginalized, perpetuating disparities at various...

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Presumed guilty

November 25, 2023

Post #230 1100 words; 5 minutes to read Summary: Despite the official presumption of innocence when arrested, in reality accused persons are generally treated as if they were guilty. This post is reprinted with permission from the online publication Law360...

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New data on crime, prisons, parole

November 14, 2023

Post #229 1060 words – 5 minutes to read   Summary: The annual report (CCRSO) released by Public Safety Canada reveals important and troubling aspects of our criminal justice system. We have examined previous editions of this publication from Public...

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Studying youth with long-term criminal involvement

October 12, 2023

Post #227 1100 words; 5 minutes to read. Summary: This post is drawn from a powerful longitudinal study of young people with serious involvement in crime.  A key finding is that there are both important patterns and many exceptions to...

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Misrepresenting the data on crime

September 24, 2023

Post #226 950 words; 4 minutes to read Summary: Recent media reports alleging serious problems of rising crime are not consistent with the actual data reported by Statistics Canada. Major media (such as The Globe and Mail and National Post)...

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