News from Stark Raven

The Stark Raven Media Collective covers the issues of prisons and criminalization.
Stark Raven produces a radio program on Mondays (1st-3rd), 7 to 8pm on Vancouver's Co-op Radio, 102.7 FM.
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More news can be found in Stark Raven's digest, available online as a pdf.

Canadian crime and American punishment
Canada, Nov 27, 2009 (Globe and Mail)

Why We Should All Be Concerned About Bill C-43: Amending the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and Criminal Code
Canada, Nov 26, 2009 (Just Us Blog)

Solitary confinement 'not safe, nor is it humane'
Canada, Nov 19, 2009 (Globe and Mail)

Number of Aboriginal people in prison continues to increase
Canada, Nov 13, 2009 (canada.com)

Ombudsman slams prison mental health services
Canada, Nov 2, 2009 (cbc.ca)

Conservative agenda will 'stuff prisons,' advocates say
Canada, Oct 27, 2009 (Toronto Star)

Tory plans for U.S.-style prisons slammed in report
Canada, Sept 24, 2009 (cbc.ca)

Risk of prison suicides unacceptably high says Correctional Investigator
Canada, Sept 11, 2009 (Canadian Press)

Bill C-25 limits 2-for-1 credit: Harsh conditions continue
Canada, April 20, 2009 (Toronto Star)

Mandatory Minimums for drug possession: Bill C-15 comes under fire
Canada, March 26, 2009 (Georgia Straight)

Death of Ashley Smith preventable
Canada, March 3, 2009 (cbc.ca)

Increasing number of prisoners are female, Aboriginal
Canada, Dec 15, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Women file lawsuit over cancelled mother-baby program
BC, Dec 1, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Women lose final bid to keep minimum-security prison open
Canada, Jan 15, 2009 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Tory convention pushes for more tough on crime measures
Canada, Nov 17, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Prison is no solution for victims of FASD
Canada, Nov 16, 2008 (Times Colonist)

Only Women's Minimum Prison Loses Bid To Stay Open, Appeal to Supreme Court Planned
Canada, Oct, 2008 (Kingston Whig-Standard)

Tories hype tough on crime agenda during election
Canada, Oct, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Incarceration impedes recovery from addiction
Canada, Oct 10, 2008 (Globe and Mail)

Aboriginal justice workers decry Tories' plan to end house arrest sentences
Canada, Sept 25, 2008 (cbc.ca)

End routine breast and pelvic exams of girls in custody: report
BC, Sept 22, 2008 (cbc.ca)

Connecting the dots: the victim's rights movement, the Tories and the tough on crime agenda
Canada, Sept, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Tories target drugs in prison with more surveillance
Canada, Aug, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

More prison expansion for women
Canada, July, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Tories launch pilot project to electronically track prisoners on parole, statutory release
Canada, Aug 18, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

BC tries to quietly cancel mother and baby in prison program
BC, Aug 13, 2008 (Canadian Press)

Prisoners, community organizations call for end to new smoking ban
Canada, July, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Tories stock parole board with former cops, jail guard
Canada, June 28, 2008 (Canadian Press)

One third of kids in care end up in prison
BC, June 26, 2008 (Canwest)

Death of Ashley Smith preventable concludes ombudsman report
Canada, June 24, 2008 (cbc.ca)

Women lose court challenge to keep minimum-security prison
Canada, May 12, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Reporters finding it harder to get inside Canadian prisons
Canada, May, 2008 (posted Aug/08) (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Tough-on-crime policies ineffective, U.S. sentencing expert contends
Canada, May 4, 2008 (posted Aug/08) (Canwest)

Concerns over conditions in youth jail
New Brunswick, April 12, 2008 (cbc.ca)

Needle sharing prompts renewed calls for in-prison exchange programs
Canada, April 6, 2008 (canada.com)

BC Builds More Jail Cells
BC, Feb 15, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Tough on Crime Omnibus Bill Passes In Senate
Canada, Feb 27, 2008 (cbc.ca)

Conservatives Threaten Election over Tough on Crime Bill
Canada, Feb 15, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Prisoner death leads to firings, possible public inquiry
Canada, Jan 21, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Outrage at Tories stance on the death penalty
Canada, Jan 21, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Lengthy prison sentences not a deterrent for youth
Canada, Jan 15, 2008 (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Build new, bigger prisons and scrap early release, review panel urges
Canada, Dec 13, 2007 (Canadian Press)

Stephen Harper opens door to prison privatization
Canada, Nov 22, 2007 (Georgia Straight)

Getting Tough on Tough on Crime
Canada, Fall 2007 (article posted Aug/08) (Stark Raven Media Collective)

Guards Charged in Woman's Death
Ontario, Oct 26, 2007 (Canadian Press)

Correctional Investigator Calls for More Program Funding in Annual Report
Canada, Oct 25, 2007 (Canadian Press)

Prison Review Panel Says Scrap Statutory Release
Canada, Oct 22, 2007 (Canadian Press)

Tories Introduce Tough on Crime Omnibus Bill
Canada, Oct 19, 2007 (Toronto Star)

Homicide rate drops by 10 per cent, tough on crime bills re-intoduced
Canada, Oct 18, 2007 (Toronto Star)

BC Plans to Expand Prisons
BC, July 10, 2007 (Maple Ridge Times)

Tough on Crime Bills on Hold Until Fall
Canada, July 2, 2007 (Stark Raven News)

Inaction, Incompetence Leads to Prisoner Deaths
Canada, June 27, 2007 (CBC, Globe and Mail)

Complete Smoking Ban Coming to Federal Prisons
Canada, July 2, 2007 (Stark Raven News)

Human Rights Complaint Leads to Improvements for Incarcerated Women
Manitoba, June 28, 2007 (CBC News)

Head of Prison Review Has Experience with Privatization
Canada, June 11, 2007 (Stark Raven News)

Kids Being Abused in Manitoba Jails
Manitoba, June 13, 2007 (Winnipeg Free Press)

Ombudsman Calls For New Women's Prison In Labrador
Labrador, June 18, 2007 (Stark Raven News)

Prison Overcrowding Causing Stress, Cancelled Programs
Quebec, June 11, 2007 (Stark Raven News)

Nunavut to Build Women's Prison in Iqaluit
Nunavut, June 1, 2007 (CBC News)

Baffin Correctional Centre Overcrowded
Nunavut, May 17, 2007 (CBC News)

Dangerous Offender/Three Strikes Bill (C-27) Passes Second Reading
Canada, June 11, 2007 (With links to resources on bill C-27)

Concerns Over New Law Restricting Conditional Sentencing
Canada, June 2, 2007 (Regina Leader-Post, with links to resources on bill C-9)

Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Bill Heading to Senate
Canada, May 31, 2007 (Winnipeg Sun, with links to resources on bill C-10)

Fewer Youth Behind Bars
Canada, March 14, 2007 (Canadian Press)

Youth Group Homes Gateways to Jail
Ontario, March 8, 2007 (Toronto Star, CBC)

Law and Order Rhetoric Being Used to Win Votes
Canada, Quebec, March 8, 2007 (Stark Raven News, Canadian Press)

Only Women's Minimum-Security Prison Slated to Close
Canada, Feb 28, 2007 (Canadian Press, CBC)

Tories Planning Bill with Automatic Adult Jail Terms For Youth
Canada, Feb 5, 2007 (Canwest)

Taser Guns Introduced Into Federal Prisons
Canada, Jan 15, 2007 (Stark Raven News)

Conservative Government Planning Prison Review
Canada, Jan 13, 2007 (Stark Raven News)

Correctional Service Of Canada Criticizes Tory Tough On Crime Policies
Canada, Jan 11, 2007 (Stark Raven News)

Head Of Public Health Agency Questions Cancellation Of Safer Tattooing Project
Canada, Jan 11, 2007 (Canadian Press)

Opposition to Closure of Safer Tattooing Sites
Canada, Dec 1, 2006 (HIV/AIDS Legal Network)

Safer Tattooing Program Cancelled by Tories
Canada, Dec 4, 2006 (CBC)

Ontario Takes Back Control of Private Super-Jail
Ontario, Nov 10, 2006 (CBC)

Tory Bill Increasing Mandatory Minimums for Gun Laws Facing Critics In Justice Committee
Canada, Nov 8, 2006 (Toronto Star)

Jacket Shared by 20 Prisoners in Ontario Jail
Ontario, Nov 7, 2006 (Letter From Prisoner)

Safer Tattooing Sites In Prisons Sitting Idle
Canada, Nov 7, 2006 (Stark Raven News)

Justice Committee Guts Tory Bill Banning Conditional Sentencing
Canada, Oct 25, 2006 (Canadian Press)

Annual Correctional Invesigator's Report Focuses on 'Disgraceful' Treatment of Aboriginal Prisoners
Canada, Oct 16, 2006 (Canadian Press, CBC)

Dramatic Increase in Numbers of Prisoners on Remand
Canada, Oct 11, 2006 (Globe and Mail, CBC)

Tories Plan Three-Strikes Bill
Canada, Sept 20, 2006 (Canadian Press)

Resources on Transsexual/Trangendered People In Prison
Canada, July, 2006 (articles, positions papers, links)

Resources on Federally Sentenced Women and Security Classification
Canada, July 31, 2006 (2 articles, 1 research document, links)

Conservative Government Ignoring Own Advice on Mandatory Minimum Sentencing
Canada, July 6, 2006 (Canwest News)

Tories Introduce New Criminal Justice Bills: Mandatory Minimums, More Prisons
Canada, May 8, 2006 (9 news articles)

Private Superjail to be Public Again
Ontario, April 28, 2006 (Canadian Press)

Guantanamo North Opens, Holding Four Security Certificate Prisoners
Canada, April 24, 2006 (CBC)

Protests Against Youth Super Jail
Ontario, April 14, 2006 (81 Reasons Campaign, Toronto Star)

Tories Propose Regressive Changes to Criminal Justice System
Canada, April 7, 2006 (3 Toronto Star Articles)

New Women's Jail to Replace Century Old Jail
Canada, April 3, 2006 (CBC)

Criminologists Fear Private Prison Boom
Canada, April 2, 2006 (Canadian Press)

Transsexual Woman Had Right to Choose Female Officer for Strip Search
Canada, May 24, 2006 (CBC)

New High Security Prison to Hold Security Certificate Prisoners
Canada, February 2, 2006 (Globe and Mail, Ottawa Sun)

BC Considers Building More Prisons
British Columbia, January 16, 2006 (Stark Raven News)

Deaths in Kashechewan Fire Blamed on Poor Jail Conditions
Kashechewan First Nation, January 10, 2006 (Canadian Press)

Sandy Paquachon Awakens from Coma, Still Seeking Humanitarian Parole
Canada, December 5, 2005 (Stark Raven News)

Youth Imprisonment Drops by Half
Canada, December 1, 2005 (Globe and Mail)

Safe Tattooing Trial Sites Set Up in Six Prisons
Canada, November 10, 2005 (CBC)

Opposition to Mandatory Minimum Sentences
Canada, November 6, 2005 (Elizabeth Fry)

UN Human Rights Committee Harshly Criticizes Canada
International, November 3, 2005 (Various Human Rights Organizations)

Lack of Services for Mentally Ill Prisoners Tops Concerns in Annual Correctional Investigator Report
Canada, November 7, 2005 (CBC, Globe & Mail)

Proposed Caffeine Ban in Alberta Jails Halted
Alberta, October 21, 2005 (CBC)

Groups Demand Closure of 150 year old Newfoundland Jail
Newfoundland, October 18, 2005 (CBC)

Lawsuit Launched over Medical Neglect in Prisoner Death
Quebec, September 7, 2005 (Montreal Gazette)

Manitoba Jail Stops Serving Tea to Prevent Homemade Cigarettes
Manitoba, September 15, 2005 (Stark Raven)

Manitoba Native Agencies To Handle Corrections Services
Manitoba, May 31, 2005 (CBC)

Native Leaders Call for Alternatives to Jail for Women
Manitoba, March 1, 2005 (CBC)

Aboriginal People Overrepresented in Saskatchewan Jails
Saskatchewan, June 3, 2005 (Globe and Mail)

Justice for Girls Report Confirms that B.C. Youth Prisons Contravene Human Rights Laws
British Columbia, April 28, 2005 (Justice For Girls Press Release)

More Promises To Women Not Kept: Women's Organizations Respond to CSC on the Human Rights Commission Report
Canada, March 8, 2005 (Elizabeth Fry Society Press Release)

CSC Responds to Human Rights Commission Report on Women in Prison
Canada, February 17, 2005 (Canadian Press)

Private Prison Guards Face Drug Trafficking Charges
Ontario, February 15, 2005 (Stark Raven News)

Prisoners Stage Work Strike To Protest Conditions
Saskatchewan, February 11, 2005 (Canadian Press)

Regina Jail No-Contact Visits Rule Called Cruel
Saskatchewan, February 9, 2005 (CBC)

Safe Tattooing Sites to be Set up in Federal Prisons
Canada, January 27, 2005 (CBC, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network)

Answers Sought in Woman's Death in Vanier Jail
Ontario, January 6, 2005 (Toronto Star)

Correctional Investigator's Annual Report Critical of CSC
Canada, November 19, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Correctional Investigator Calls for Needle Exchange in Prisons
Canada, November 18, 2004 (Canadian Press)

Ombudsman Looking Into Abuse at Kingston Pen Segregation Unit
Ontario, November 16, 2004 (CBC)

Ottawa Jail Conditions Continue to Come Under Fire
Ontario, November 15, 2004 (Stark Raven News, Ottawa Citizen)

Jury Denounces Jailing People Suffering From Mental Illness
Ontario, November 15, 2004 (Stark Raven News, Ottawa Citizen)

Changes Demanded to National Security Certificate Process
Canada, November 15, 2004 (Stark Raven News, Globe and Mail)

William Head Prisoner-Run Theatre Group Shuts Down
British Columbia, November 8, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Quebec To Build New Prison with Private Corporate Interests
Quebec, November 5, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Reports Call for Needle Exchange Programs in Prisons
Canada, October 27, 2004 (CBC)

Youth Crime and Incarceration Rates Drop
Canada, October 13, 2004 (Globe and Mail, Toronto Star)

Inquest into Death Urges Improved Healthcare at Private Prison
Ontario, October 4, 2004 (Stark Raven, Toronto Star)

Outrage at Private Prison Healthcare and Conditions
Ontario, August 24, 2004 (Midland Free Press)

Smoking Ban in Alberta Jails
Alberta, October 4, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Government Fails Kimberly Rogers Again
Ontario, August, 2004 (Toronto Star)

Increase In Prisoner Compaints In Ontario
Ontario, September 13, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Ottawa Jail Conditions Decried
Ottawa, September 13, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Prisoners Vote for First Time in Election
Canada, June 21, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Lockdown at Nova Women's Prison
Nova Scotia, June 14, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Inquests Release Recommendations After Suicides
Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Women Unsafe at Nova Scotia Halfway Houses
Nova Scotia, May 17, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Bill Introduced Allowing Strip Searching in BC Jails
British Columbia, May 17, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Matsqui Lockdown and Intake Centre Hunger Strike
British Columbia, May 17, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Anti-Poverty Groups Condemn Safe Streets Act
British Columbia, May 17, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Prisoner Killed in Private Prison
Ontario, May 6, 2004 (Toronto Star)

Privatization of Property Management of BC Prisons
British Columbia, May 3, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Overcrowding in Ottawa Jail
Ottawa, April 26, 2004 (CBC News)

Healthcare Concerns at Private Prison Remain Unaddressed
Ontario, March 12, 2004 (Midland Free Press)

Prison to monitor phone calls
Edmonton, April 29, 2004 (Globe and Mail)

BCCW Closed and Women Moved to New Prisons
British Columbia, April 12, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Federal Prisoners To Vote in Upcoming Election
Canada, April 12, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Jail Riot Leads To More Gear for Guards
Whitehorse, April 12, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Report Highlights Health Crisis Inside Prisons
Canada, April 8, 2004 (CBC News, Canadian Press)

Inquest Jury Says Youth Jail Should Be Shut Down
Ontario, April 9, 2004 (Toronto Star, Globe and Mail)

Cutbacks Close Prisons in Alberta and Newfoundland
Alberta & Newfoundland, April 5, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Inquest into Private Prison Death Focuses on Time Keeping Problems
Ontario, March 15, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Vancouver Police Brutally Assault Eight Eastside Residents
Vancouver, March 16, 2004 (Press Release)

Guards at Private Prison Ratify First Contract
Ontario, March 15, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Controversial Youth Prison to Close
Ontario, March 8, 2004 (Canadian Press)

Bail System 'Cruel', Judges Say
Ontario, Dec 21, 2003 (Toronto Star)

National Security Certificate Prisoner Denied Bail, Facing Deportation
Canada, March 8, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Link To Canadian Human Rights Commission Report on Women in Prison: "Protecting Their Rights"
Released Jan 28, 2004

Prison Guards at Ontario Private Prison Reject Contract Offer
Ontario, Feb 16, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Controversial Youth Jail Closing in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia, Feb 16, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Harsh Prison Conditions for Pregnant Woman
Ontario, Feb 16, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Press Release From Elizabeth Fry Society on Human Rights Commission Report
Canada, Jan 26, 2004 (Elizabeth Fry Press Release)

Human Rights Commission Criticizes Situation for Women in Prison
Canada, Jan 26, 2004 (CBC News)

Canadian Human Rights Commmission Looks at Women in Prison
Canada, Jan 22, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Inquest Into Suicide at Ontario Youth Jail
Ontario, Jan 21, 2004 (Toronto Star)

Closed BC Prisons Up For Sale
BC, Jan 19, 2004 (Vancouver Sun)

Smoking Ban Coming to Newfoundland Prisons
Newfoundland, Jan 21, 2004 (Canadian Press)

BC Closing Youth Jail in Kamloops
BC, Jan 19, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Police Won't Be Charged in Native Man's Death
BC, Jan 16, 2004 (CBC)

Ontario Ombudsman receives over 7000 Prison Complaints in 2002-3
Jan 5, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

Inadequate Healthcare at Ontario's Private Prison
Jan 5, 2004 (Stark Raven News)

HIV and Hep C Continue to Rise in Canadian Prisons
Dec 1, 2003 (Winnipeg Sun)

Phone Call Court in Quebec
Dec 13, 2003 (cbc.ca)

Open Letter From Betty Krawczyk to BC Solicitor General about Conditions in BCCW
Dec 8, 2003 (Stark Raven News)

Privately Run Youth Prison to Close Down
Dec 8, 2003 (Stark Raven News)

Deported Student Tells of Time Inside Canadian Jail
Nov 18, 2003 (Toronto Star)

Woman To Sue Prison For Forced Body Search
Nov 28, 2003 (CBC web posted)

Hassan Almrei Granted Stay of Deportation Order
Dec 1, 2003 (Stark Raven Radio News)

Health Concerns at Baffin Jail
Nov 27, 2003 (CBC web posted)

Holding Remand Prisoners Longer Leads to Overcrowded Prisons in Ontario
Nov 17, 2003 (Stark Raven Radio News)

Newfoundland Premier Has Personal Investments in Private Prison Company
Nov 17, 2003 (Stark Raven Radio News)

3 Separate Prisoner Deaths Under Investigation
Nov 17, 2003 (Stark Raven Radio News)

Amnesty Calls For Inquiry Into Prison Abuse Allegations
Nov 17, 2003 (Amnesty International)

Manitoba Provincial Jails No Longer Allow Smoking
Nov 10, 2003 (Stark Raven Radio News)

National Security Cerificate Prisoner Ends Hunger Strike
Nov 10, 2003 (Stark Raven Radio News)

Human Rights Watch Releases Report on Mentally Ill Prisoners in US Prisons
Nov 10, 2003 (Stark Raven Radio News)

Questions Remain Surrounding Death in Private Prison in Ontario
Nov 3, 2003 (Stark Raven Radio News)

Annual Report of Correctional Investigator Critical of CSC
Nov 3, 2003 (Stark Raven Radio News)

CSC Loses Appeal in Transsexual Human Rights Case
Feb 7, 2003 (National Post)