Please welcome Justin Piché to Just Blog. Justin is a PhD student in Sociology at Carleton University. His research examines where Canadian penal institutions in Canada are built and why. He is also Co-managing Editor of the Journal of Prisoners on Prisons (www.jpp.org). Justin has kindly offered us his report on Michael Jackson and Graham … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: September 2009
Van Loan lies on “mental health care and rehabilitation” for “mentally ill” prisoners
Here is a comment to the Globe and Mail, written by anti-psychiatry and human rights activist, Don Weitz. In it, he discusses the inhumane conditions suffered by people in prisons and psychiatric facilities, and the need for restorative justice alternatives. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 9/24/09 Comment Editor The Globe and Mail Recently on CBC Newsworld, Public Safety Minister … Continue reading
Quote of the Day
“The belief that there is only one truth, and that oneself is in possession of it, is the root of all evil in the world.” Max Born Continue reading
PASAN/Rittenhouse Fundraiser
On Thursday, October 22nd, PASAN and Rittenhouse will be holding a joint fundraiser at PLAY on Church (504 Church St., 1 and 1/2 blocks north of Carlton). The event will go from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. PASAN (Prisoners with HIV/AIDS Support Action Network) is a community-based network of prisoners, ex-prisoners, organizations, activists and individuals … Continue reading
Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program
by Simone Davis Prison bars are meant to keep people in; they also keep people out. Along with the other social forces that keep us divided, the tall walls and razor wire fences of prisons and jails ensure that our internalized maps of what we consider home are distorted, pitted with blanks. These blind spots … Continue reading
Leonard Peltier – I am Barack Obama’s Political Prisoner Now
http://www.counterpunch.org/September 11-13, 2009 A CounterPunch Exclusive The Denial of My Parole I Am Barack Obama’s Political Prisoner Now By LEONARD PELTIER The United States Department of Justice has once again made a mockery of its lofty and pretentious title. After releasing an original and continuing disciple of death cult leader Charles Manson who attempted to … Continue reading
Survivor’s Guide Video Launch Party
Dear friends: It is my pleasure to invite you and a guest to the screening launch party of the year! The screening launch event for the documentary, Survivor’s Guide to Freedom from Violence, will take place on Thursday, October 8, 2009 from 6:30 to 8 pm (refreshments at 6pm) at Sistering – A Woman’s Place, 962 Bloor Street West. … Continue reading
Quote of the Day
Loyalty to a petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul. Mark Twain Continue reading
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again
This post is from the CNN Wire on CNN.com. For a long time death penalty advocates have tried to frame lethal injection as the “humane” alternative to other forms of execution. This article is just further proof that the term “humane execution” is an oxymoron. Thanks to Avrum for sending this to me. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Execution … Continue reading
The Poetry of Neal Freeland
Neal Freeland is a filmmaker, graphic novelist, poet, artist, ex-prisoner, cook, dishwasher and social work student, who is also writing a couple of books in all of his spare time. I’ve just met Neal recently, but I am very struck by his warmth, humour and sensitivity, and the beauty and power in his writing and … Continue reading
