International News
Portugal: Report recommends needle exchange or safe injection sites in prisons
22nd April 2004
A report released in late 2003 by Portugal's Justice Ombudsman (Provedor de Justiça) recommends that Portugal set up needle exchange programs or safe injection sites in prisons. Article by Ralf Jurgens, Canadian HIV/AIDS Policy & Law Review. Publication of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network.
"UN Human Rights Commission Seeks End To Executions" - AP
21st April 2004
The top United Nations human rights body on Wednesday urged governments worldwide to declare a moratorium on executions. In a 29-19 vote, the U.N. Human Rights Commission backed a resolution submitted by European countries that called for the global suspension of the death penalty as the first step to eliminating its use.
"Prison voting going smoothly" - South African Press Association
14th April 2004
Pretoria - Voting in prisons around the country went smoothly, said the Correctional Services Department on Wednesday.
New Report: Census Should Count Prisoners in Communities, Not Prisons
8th April 2004
650,000 return home each year without adequate services in their communities because inaccurate data deprives communities of public funding and misinforms policymakers, says new report from the Brennan Center for Justice.
European Court of Human Rights Decision Upholds Prisoner Voting Rights
30th March 2004
In the case of Hirst v. The United Kingdom, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that denying prisoners the right to vote was in breach of Article 3 of Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This ruling struck down a UK law that denies serving prisoners the right to exercise their franchise in national elections.
"Safer Tattooing Pilot Projects Initiated in Canadian Prisons to Fight the Spread of Hepatitis C" - CBC
29th March 2004
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is planning to set up tattoo parlours in six federal prisons this year. Health officials hope the parlours will reduce the spread of infectious diseases, including hepatitis C.
New report exposes failure of California's "Three Strikes" law
5th March 2004
"Still Striking Out", by the Washington, D.C.-based Justice Policy Institute, shows that the policy has contributed to chronic prison growth, disproportionately affected African Americans, Latinos and people convicted of non-violent offenses, and has had little impact on crime
Central Asia: HIV In Prisons Poses Threat To Public Health
23rd February 2004
A two-day conference on HIV/AIDS in Europe and Central Asia starts today in the Irish capital, Dublin. Some activists are using the opportunity to focus on HIV/AIDS in the region's prisons. By Antoine Blua of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Prison Syringe Exchange Programs: Can they be Implemented in Canada?
19th December 2003
By Rick Lines and Ralf Jurgens for the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network in cooperation with the John Howard Society of Canada. Published in Gerald B. Thomas (ed.), Perspectives on Canadian Drug Policy: Volume II.
Drug Treatment Courts in Canada: Who Benefits?
19th December 2003
By Cynthia Kirkby, John Howard Society of New Brunswick. Published in Gerald B. Thomas (ed.), Perspectives on Canadian Drug Policy: Volume II.
