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Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System

"Experience tells us, and research confirms, that people with Various forms of mental illness are highly over represented in the criminal justice system". This was the theme of the fifth National Justice Symposium that was held in Montreal, Canada on January 18-19, 2013 for which this paper was prepared. Prepared by Alison MacPhail and Simon Verdun-Jones, Professor School of Criminology Simon Fraser University and ICCLR Board Member, and supported by ICCLR, the paper addresses the link between serious mental illness and criminality and some of the most effective strategies with respect to mentally ill offenders. The paper concludes by outlining several recommendations to address this most challenging issue that confronts the justice and health care systems in Canada and worldwide. To view the paper please click here.

The Rule of Law, the Charter of Right and Confidence in the Legal System: Lessons from Canada

The International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy was invited to present a paper at the Kyiv Model Ukraine Conference in Kyiv, Ukraine on November 23, 2012. This was the fourth in a series of four conferences aimed at developing an improved model of governance for Ukraine. The theme of the conference, "Different Roads to the Rule of Law" was a key part of Professor Neil Boyd's presentation. To view the paper please click here. The conference was scheduled to coincide with remembrance services for the 80th anniversary of the Holodomor, a famine constructed by Soviet policy of the early 1930s and recognized by many governments today as a crime against humanity -- Stalin's forced starvation of several million Ukrainians between 1932 and 1933. The conference closed with a ceremonial lighting of candles, in memory of those who lost their lives during these years.

China-Canada Legislative Development Project for Community Corrections in China

The ICCLR in partnership with the College for Criminal Law Science of Beijing Normal University has completed the final stage of the Policy Options Project with a conference held in Beijing. The final activity took the form of a conference on Laws, Policies and Programs on Community Corrections Law in Beijing, China on August 30 2012. The project facilitated the sharing of relevant international and Canadian models and best practices through cooperation between the project partners and two study tours in Canada. The project outputs included an annotated “draft model law”, a rationale for the proposed changes to legislation, several studies of pilot community corrections initiatives in China and dissemination of the proposed legislation and data collected.

Corruption in Canada: Reviewing Practices from Abroad to Improve Our Response

With the funding support from the Department of Justice Canada, ICCLR has prepared a paper to assist in further defining and generating ideas for improving the detection, investigation, prosecution and sanctioning of domestic and transnational corruption. A selected number of issues are covered, including the scope of bribery offences, the basis for jurisdiction; the affirmative compliance defence; the treatment of facilitation payments; voluntary disclosure regimes and debarment as a sanction. Click here for this research report.

Responding to Victims of Identity Crime: A Manual for Law Enforcement Agents, Prosecutors and Policy-Makers

This Manual is designed to assist Canadian law enforcement, prosecutors and policy-makers respond effectively to victims of identity related crime, with a view to reducing the impact and incidence of such crime. The Manual includes seven modules and several printable appendices for use by police officers and investigators in their daily operations. This project was made possible by the funding and support received from Public Safety Canada, the Law Foundation of British Columbia, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy. You can view the entire publication, or individual modules and appendices.

Victims of Environmental Crime – Mapping the Issues

Environmental crime creates particular challenges for victims. Often perceived as “victimless”, environmental crimes do not always produce an immediate consequence, the harm may be diffused or go undetected for a lengthy period of time. The victims are not always aware of the fact that they have been victimized or know who has victimized them. Added to this is the fact that many environmental disruptions are legal and take place with the consent of society. Consequently, little attention has been paid to this type of victimization. This research paper contributes to addressing this gap, mapping out the issues relating to victims of environmental crime and identifying topics requiring further study. View the publication in PDF.

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Introductory Handbook on the Prevention of Recidivism and the Social Reintegration of Offenders

The Centre has developed an Introductory Handbook on the Prevention of Recidivism and the Social Reintegration of Offenders for the UNODC Justice Section which has published a criminal justice handbook series covering areas such as crime prevention, prison reform, alternatives to imprisonment and restorative justice, justice for children and violence against women. The Handbook is based on relevant international standards and norms and focuses on the experiences of low-middle income countries. The Handbook aims to fulfil knowledge gaps and contribute to the development and implementation of measures to reduce the high rates of re-offending globally. It presents policy guidance and examples of promising practices for effective ways to successfully rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders into society, thus reducing re-offending. To view the handbook click here.

2013 Southwestern Summer Law Programme in Vancouver
May 26 – June 26 2013

For students who will have completed their first year of law study prior to May 26 2013 and are interested in international and comparative law the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, in partnership with the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law, Vancouver, BC and Southwestern Law School, LA, California is hosting a four week summer law programme at the UBC faculty of law. Please click here for more information.

2012 Law at Lunch Series
Room 241 Allard Hall

ICCLR organizes a lunch hour dialogue series for students and faculty from the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University School of Criminology. The series provides an opportunity for students to engage in a practical and informal discussion with ICCLR senior associates. The sessions are held throughout the academic year.

Session I: November 13th 2012

The Honourable Anne Rowles, chair of the board at ICCLR, and Ms. Carmen Cheung were part of a free event hosted by the ICCLR on Public Interest Advocacy in Appeal Courts on November 13th 2012. The appellate advocacy session included a discussion of the purpose and limits of the appeal process and the role of intervenors in appeals involving public interest issues.

Crime and Criminal Justice – Exploring the International, Transnational and Local Perspectives
October 22-26 2012, Washington, DC, USA

The International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law delivered the Crime and Criminal Justice: Exploring the International, Transnational and Local Perspectives conference from October 22-26 in Washington DC, USA. Please click here for more information.

UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice 21st Session – Vienna April 2012
Workshop on PNI’s Contributions to Effective Implementation of the Salvador Declaration

As a member of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network Institutes (PNI), ICCLR made a presentation on Responding to the challenges of emerging forms of crime at the PNI Workshop of the 21st Session of the UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Vienna, Austria from April 23 to 27, 2012.

The purpose of the workshop was to provide the Member State delegates with information on the concrete activities of the PNI in support of the Salvador Declaration, and on how interested Member States could obtain help, information, consultation and/or material concerning their own activities to implement the mandates of the Salvador Declaration within their own nation. View the following agenda of the PNI Workshop and five presentations delivered.

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China-Canada Legislative Development Project for Community Corrections in China

ICCLR continues its partnership with the College for Criminal Law Science of Beijing Normal University by jointly implementing this important project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency. The purpose of this project is to develop an annotated “model law" for community corrections in China, together with supporting comparative research. A Work Planning Mission was successfully completed in September 2011, and a study tour composed of 14 delegates including Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr. Zhang Sujun, and Dean Zhao Bingzhi was conducted in November 2011. The visiting delegation met with 36 Canadian representatives from 18 departments, ministries and agencies across Canada. The project will be finished in December 2012.

ICCLR Briefing Notes

ICCLR’s First Twenty Years

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, ICCLR takes a look back at the interesting work and projects it has done. Over the past two decades, ICCLR has undertaken the development and delivery of technical assistance programs, developed tools, conducted research and policy analysis, and provided public information, consultation and education relating to crime, protection of victims, development of more effective and fair justice systems and support to international cooperation to fight against serious crimes. Click here for more.

To view a complete listing of recent additions to the web site please visit the What's New section.