69 search results for
Alternative solutions
Recommendation 21:
To facilitate meaningful access to counsel, we recommend legislation or policy providing:
- That outside agencies should be allowed to provide in-person legal aid clinics in SIUs on a regular basis.
- That CSC staff must deliver and facilitate all legal callback requests within 24 hours.
- That CSC must share relevant documentation directly with counsel at least three days in advance of all SIU reviews, without requiring a signed consent form.
- That outgoing faxes to counsel be provided to all prisoners free of charge and within one working day.
- That prisoners be provided sufficient time to meet with counsel in person, in a confidential room.
- That all necessary steps be taken to facilitate the attendance of counsel at hearings, including advising counsel of the time and date of the hearing as soon as it is scheduled and confirming requests by counsel to attend.
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Recommendation 78:
The sector has identified increased substance use and overdoses as a result of the pandemic. The Coalition recommends low-barrier services that are implemented through a harm reduction lens, providing youth with a safe supply, and increasing the number of youth-specific treatment programs. The lack of treatment supports for youth is compounded by the risks associated with Bill 22 without the appropriate services for youth to transition into after being detained.
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Recommendation 10:
The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs (MHMA) must make a province-wide commitment to supporting homeless people to maintain their belongings and to ensuring that homeless people have access to services without fear of losing their possessions. The MHMA must partner with local governments in collaboration with groups of people with lived experience, to train local bylaw officers:
- to recognize and respect the belongings of homeless people; and
- to work effectively with people experiencing homelessness to clean up or discard belongings where there is a pressing public safety, access, or environmental need to do so.
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Recommendation 19:
The best interests of the child should be considered when dealing with offenders with parental responsibilities. Decision making at the time of sentencing can be improved by ensuring that the impact of the decision on the offenders’ children is considered. Minimize children’s separation from their parents in conflict with the law by limiting the use of imprisonment whenever possible and appropriate.
- Provide courts with accurate information about an accused’s family situation and the potential impact of sentencing and bail decisions on family members, including through a pre-sentence, Gladue or cultural impact assessment report.
- Introduce the use of children/family impact assessments or statements at the time of sentencing.
- Where a custodial sentence is being contemplated, take into consideration the rights and best interests of any affected child and a child’s right to have their views considered.
- Use alternatives to detention or community-based sentences, as far as possible and appropriate, especially in the case of a parent who is a primary caregiver.
- Ensure that non-custodial sentences take account of an offender’s parental responsibilities.
Enhancing the Protective Environment for Children of Parents in Conflict with the Law or Incarcerated: A Framework for Action
Group/author:
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
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2018
2018
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Recommendation 18:
Systemic neighbourhood environmental issues
To address safety concerns expressed by interviewees, there are several larger structural solutions such as increasing the number of safe and affordable housing units, access to health-focused treatment, and equitable employment opportunities. One short-term measure could be to install lighting on streets and in alleyways to help people feel safe during evenings and at night.
In the interim, reducing criminalization and stigmatization of community members would alleviate further social divides. Instead, we recommend an approach that allows them to thrive that takes an inclusive approach to housing, employment, social security, and access (services, food, other), which would require cooperative action by all levels of government and stakeholders.
Ultimately, a systems change approach would need to be applied to adequately address the root causes of these issues. As noted in the Resilient Vancouver Phase One Engagement Report (2018), many of these issues are interrelated and solutions need to involve multiple city departments, all levels of government, and other stakeholders.
To address safety concerns expressed by interviewees, there are several larger structural solutions such as increasing the number of safe and affordable housing units, access to health-focused treatment, and equitable employment opportunities. One short-term measure could be to install lighting on streets and in alleyways to help people feel safe during evenings and at night.
In the interim, reducing criminalization and stigmatization of community members would alleviate further social divides. Instead, we recommend an approach that allows them to thrive that takes an inclusive approach to housing, employment, social security, and access (services, food, other), which would require cooperative action by all levels of government and stakeholders.
Ultimately, a systems change approach would need to be applied to adequately address the root causes of these issues. As noted in the Resilient Vancouver Phase One Engagement Report (2018), many of these issues are interrelated and solutions need to involve multiple city departments, all levels of government, and other stakeholders.
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- Accessibility ,
- Accessible services and technology ,
- Alternative solutions ,
- Classism ,
- Discrimination and hate ,
- Food insecurity ,
- Health ,
- Housing and homelessness ,
- Income insecurity and benefits ,
- Mental health and detention ,
- Policing and the criminal justice system ,
- Poverty ,
- Poverty and economic inequality ,
- Public services ,
- Racism ,
- Substance use
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Recommendation 171:
Start all Indigenous women prisoners at a minimum-security level and remove the requirement to automatically incarcerate Indigenous women in a maximum security facility for the first two years of a murder sentence.
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Recommendation 150:
Repeal laws that criminalize or increase harm for women in the sex trade.
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Recommendation 1:
Pursuant to section 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the City of Vancouver should apply to the federal Minister of Health for an exemption that applies to all people in the City of Vancouver against section 4(1) of the CDSA, on the basis that it is necessary for a medical or scientific purpose or is otherwise in the public interest.
In order to address the totality of overdose deaths in Vancouver, the exemption should apply broadly in terms of population, geography, and drug. The exemption should apply:
Support for a broad exemption is also provided by the extent of contamination in Vancouver’s street drug supply. In 2018, approximately 88% of tested street drug samples marketed as opioids tested positive for fentanyl. Fentanyl was found in samples believed to be depressants and stimulants alike. Street drugs themselves are constantly changing, and a static narcotic schedule (like the CDSA) is bound to be eclipsed by the reality of new compounds being formulated and used over time. Decriminalizing the possession of some drugs and not others, or some people and not others, would be arbitrary and illogical during a time when the risks are extreme for anyone who relies on an (ever-evolving) street market, however infrequently.
In order to address the totality of overdose deaths in Vancouver, the exemption should apply broadly in terms of population, geography, and drug. The exemption should apply:
- To any person who possesses drugs for personal use while in Vancouver and;
- In all instances meeting the offence criteria for simple possession, regardless of the substance in question.
Support for a broad exemption is also provided by the extent of contamination in Vancouver’s street drug supply. In 2018, approximately 88% of tested street drug samples marketed as opioids tested positive for fentanyl. Fentanyl was found in samples believed to be depressants and stimulants alike. Street drugs themselves are constantly changing, and a static narcotic schedule (like the CDSA) is bound to be eclipsed by the reality of new compounds being formulated and used over time. Decriminalizing the possession of some drugs and not others, or some people and not others, would be arbitrary and illogical during a time when the risks are extreme for anyone who relies on an (ever-evolving) street market, however infrequently.
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Recommendation 25:
Provide the public, through the media and other means, with reliable and up-to-date data and good practice examples to increase their awareness regarding the children affected by parental imprisonment and their needs, and to prevent stereotyping and stigmatizing children with imprisoned parents.
Enhancing the Protective Environment for Children of Parents in Conflict with the Law or Incarcerated: A Framework for Action
Group/author:
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Year:
2018
2018
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Recommendation 26:
Provide sufficient resources to agencies and organizations to support children with imprisoned parents and their families to enable them to deal effectively with their particular situation and specific needs.
Enhancing the Protective Environment for Children of Parents in Conflict with the Law or Incarcerated: A Framework for Action
Group/author:
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver, International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy, University of the Fraser Valley – School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Year:
2018
2018
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