Criminal Justice

When you work to make a society more equal, where everyone has a chance at a decent life, you will have less crime. The governments of Canada over the last decade or so have exploited people’s fears for political advantage. They have promoted fear of crime and its “solution” — more people in jail for longer sentences. This definition of the problem and its solution simply do not fit the facts that have been amply demonstrated all over the world.

There is increasingly compelling knowledge about how to prevent violence. Some governments and local jurisdictions are pioneering the application of this knowledge and balancing smarter policing with effective violence prevention.

For on-going news articles across Canada and the USA, join the Smart Justice Network.

CUSJ calls for changes to Omnibus crime bill

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CUSJ joined with Elizabeth Fry Society and John Howard Society to ask Harper and the Minister of Justice to make changes to the Omnibus crime bill.  We would like to emphasize a harm-reduction approach to drug crimes, and to ensure measures are included that support crime prevention as well as punishment. Resources See our letter … Read more

CUSJ Opposes C-4 Refugee Bill

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CUSJ Opposes C-4 Refugee Bill July 31, 2011 CUSJ signed on, today, to the Canadian Council of Refugees campaign against Bill C-4.  (Formerly Bill C-49 and re-introduced into the house as Bill C-4 this spring.)  This Bill would exempt the Canadian Government from honouring the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the Canadian Constitution.  It … Read more

Save Our Prison Farms

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Subject: Prison Farm Update, Jan. 26, 2011 — Important Events this Week! Sent: January 26, 2011 12:07 PM   If you have been following the prison farm issue, please consider writing your MP this week.  E-mail or phone.   Hello, Prison Farm Supporters!  Next Wednesday, Feb. 2, MPs will be voting on the Public Safety Committee’s … Read more

Prostitution and Society

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Prostitution remains a hot debate on CUSJ list.  Penny Kome describes why she believes we must support the Nordic Model in Canada and work to free women from sexual slavery, prostitution because of poverty, and on-going negative attitudes of men toward women, whether prostitutes or not.  If our bodies are sacred and we have inherent worth … Read more

CUSJ Listserv Discussion on Prostitution – 2010

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On September 28th, 2010, Ontario Supreme Court Madame Justice Susan Himel declared the Federal Government laws on prostitution unconstitutional, effectively throwing them out. She gave governments 30 days to adjust to her ruling. The Federal Government will appeal. This situation stimulated a vigourous discussion on the CUSJ listserve, which is summarized below: First comment: If … Read more