Daily News Summary
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Main stories
Magistrates call for a reduction in the use of `on the spot fines'
Magistrates are warning that serious crime cases are not reaching the courts due to a widened use of one-spot-fines, thus undermining public confidence in the criminal justice system. The Justice Ministry defended the use of out of court penalties as `an effective use of resources'. Times11. The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies reported on this some time ago and a report can be read here.
DNA search for more miscarriages of justice
The Criminal Cases Review Commission has ordered an urgent review of all cases where DNA evidence is involved, to find out if there are current long term prisoners whose innocence could now be scientifically proven. Gdn1,2
The Guardian has launched a new series; `Justice on Trial', which looks to highlight cases where there is major concerns about a miscarriage of justice.
Other stories
Crimestoppers sees a rise in crime-tip offs
Reward payments made to people contacting Crimestoppers with information has doubled in 2008-09. Some claim there is a link between the rise in number of people contacting the charity in the hope of a reward and the current recession. Times14
`Give kids a right royal rollicking'
Sir Alan Steer, the Governments behaviour `tsar' claims that sending pupils to the head and giving them a `royal rollicking' would be far more effective at dealing with badly behaved pupils than giving them fixed-term suspension. Ind1, 4
Hospital admissions resulting from street violence on the rise
The number of admissions to hospital as a result of street fights has gone up 47% in the last five years. DMail28, DTel10
Britain best placed to bounce back from the recession
Experts claim that Britain is the best placed nation in Europe to bounce back from recession. Mirr6
Fall in social work staff levels after the Baby P scandal
Mirr11, DTel12
`Storm over migrant amnesty'
Church groups, trade unions and campaigners called for an amnesty for over half a million illegal immigrants. The demands made at a rally in Trafalgar square were rejected by the Home Office. DExp8
Bright pupils from poor areas are being let down by the state
The Sutton Trust published a report claiming that bright pupils from disadvantaged areas are being failed by the state schools system. DExp11, DTel6, Gdn11
IPCC to handle all Taser cases
All complaints made about the use of Taser Stun guns by the police are now to be handled by the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission). Gdn6
Comments, editorials, letters
`Sacking social workers will not stem this tide of depravity'
Says Dominic Lawson. Ind25
`The bureaucrats are ruining out children's education, not teachers'
Claims Tracy Corrigan. DTel18
`My ordeal goes on. For others the nightmare is just starting'
Gerry Conlon, one of the Guilford Four jailed for an IRA bombing in 1974, then freed in 1989 after his conviction was quashed, writes about his experiences and thoughts on miscarriages of justice today. Gdn28
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These newspaper summaries are drawn up by staff at the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies. They are not intended to be comprehensive, or wholly uniform in their approach. Instead, they reflect our individual and collective perspectives on the day's coverage, including our judgements in terms of relevance to the Centre's concerns. On occasion, they also reflect the inevitable time constraints within which we work.
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