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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · 10d

You can read, download, and distribute our "Special Issue" on bail, pretrial detention, and evidence for free here or by visiting our website (www.crimhighlights.ca) : irp.cdn-website.com/63cb20a6/fil... 4/

irp.cdn-website.com

Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · 10d

Therefore, we decided to compile a list of "Highlighted" research papers on bail and pretrial detention and summarize their findings. What they seem to show is that these reforms may actually have the exact opposite effect. 3/

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · 10d

These proposed reforms are never backed by evidence that they will make us safer, decrease recidivism, or even prevent accused persons from skipping court. 2/

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · 10d

As we noted last week, calls for bail "reform" are growing louder. We at @crimhighlights.bsky.social remain concerned. Given the demand for more punitive measures from premiers like Ontario's Doug Ford and promises from the Liberals, some reforms will likely pass during this parliamentary session 1/

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · 10d

And don't forget to subscribe to the journal for free at www.crimhighlights.ca to get advance copies of every issue sent directly to your inbox: www.crimhighlights.ca 2/

Criminological Highlights

Free journal summarizing topical research in criminal justice

www.crimhighlights.ca

Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · 10d

The new September 2025 issue of @crimhighlights.bsky.social is now available! In it we summarize criminological research touching on: court-ordered therapy, police perceptions of racialized neighbourhoods, criminal records and employment, and much more. 1/

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · 20d

You can also check out our article for the @johnhowardcanada.bsky.social on the history and failure of "three-strikes" policy here:

johnhoward.ca/blog/and-its... 4

“And it’s Three Strikes You’re Out at the Old… Election… Game!” : The John Howard Society of Canada

johnhoward.ca

Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · 20d

Thankfully, we compiled a "Special Issue" on Harsh Punishments and Mandatory Minimum Sentences that highlights criminological studies on their efficacy. Hopefully the public - and Poilievre - will take a look at the data so they don't fall victim to this BS:

irp.cdn-website.com/63cb20a6/fil... 3

irp.cdn-website.com

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · 20d

If Poilievre took one look at the publicly available evidence, or even one look at history, he would see that this will not serve Canada and is unlikely to make us safer. 2

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · 20d

We at Highlights are concerned at the Conservative Party's promise to bring "Baseball Sentencing" (BS) - aka three strikes and you're out - to Canada's courts. Pierre Poilievre states he would "make sure three-time serious criminals get a minimum prison term of 10 years and up to a life sentence." 1

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · Jul 2

A recent article by @crimhighlights.bsky.social member Tyler King theorizes a new form of discretion in the criminal courts. While it is more theoretical, scholars interested in legal discretion may find it relevant. Free to read/download from @lsijournal.bsky.social!

doi.org/10.1017/lsi....

The Multiple Realities of Legal Objects: Accounting for ‘Ontological Discretion’ in Criminal Courts | Law & Social Inquiry | Cambridge Core

The Multiple Realities of Legal Objects: Accounting for ‘Ontological Discretion’ in Criminal Courts

doi.org

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · Jun 25

You can read and download the full issue at: www.crimhighlights.ca/criminologic.... To receive new issues as soon as they are released, please consider subscribing (it's free!).

Criminological Highlights Vol. 22, No. 3 - June 2025

Themes: (1) offenders, long sentences, and public perceptions (2) outdated risk assessments and validation (3) improving neighbourhoods to reduce violent crime (4) children and exposure to family viol...

www.crimhighlights.ca

Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · Jun 25

On June 15, 2025 we released another issue of @crimhighlights.bsky.social. In it, we discuss topical studies related to risk prediction, neighbourhood type and violent crime, the effect of family violence on children, the importance of economic opportunities for youth in relation to crime, and more!

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · May 21

In an article for the @johnhowardcanada.bsky.social, Tyler King and Tony Doob use evidence from @crimhighlights.bsky.social to unpack the tough road ahead for the Liberals, and to remind Canadians of the policy nightmare we dodged with the Conservative's election loss:
johnhoward.ca/blog/and-its...

“And it’s Three Strikes You’re Out at the Old… Election… Game!” - The John Howard Society of Canada

A 'three strikes' anti-crime policy is contradicted by experience and evidence; such policies are expensive and ineffectual.

johnhoward.ca

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · May 6

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Ford rants about 'bleeding-heart judges' who are 'overruling the government' | CBC News

Ontario Premier Doug Ford went on an extended rant about some of the province’s judges Wednesday, arguing they are soft on crime, interfering in municipal issues based on ideology, and even floating t...

www.cbc.ca

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · May 6

Like many in the justice community who care about evidence (and due process), we are concerned with Premier Doug Ford's recent rant about "soft" judges and bail. Since he doesn't seem to care about evidence, here's a piece we wrote that might help inform him: johnhoward.ca/blog/solving...

Solving the ‘Crime Problem’ by Locking Up Legally Innocent People - The John Howard Society of Canada

Proposals to restrict bail in Canada using the "Notwithstanding clause' are contrary to the evidence as well as inconsistent with rights.

johnhoward.ca

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · May 1

To get first access to new issues, be sure to subscribe via our website: crimhighlights.ca.

Criminological Highlights

Free journal summarizing topical research in criminal justice

crimhighlights.ca

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · May 1

The Spring 2025 issue of "Criminological Highlights" is out now! In it we highlight studies exploring race and risk assessment, pretrial release, the right to remain silent, and much more. View the issue here:
www.crimhighlights.ca/criminologic...

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · Apr 18

Board members Tony Doob and Tyler King recently published another article for the @johnhowardcanada.bsky.social blog on why increasing the use of pretrial detention will not make communities safer. Read that post here (and if you are in Canada, remember to VOTE!):
johnhoward.ca/blog/solving...

Solving the ‘Crime Problem’ by Locking Up Legally Innocent People - The John Howard Society of Canada

Proposals to restrict bail in Canada using the "Notwithstanding clause' are contrary to the evidence as well as inconsistent with rights.

johnhoward.ca

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · Apr 18

Tyler King's (@crimhighlights.bsky.social
Board Member) 2024 article recently won the Social and Legal Studies (@slsjournal.bsky.social) Editor's Choice Award. You can read the open-access article, co-authored by Joshua D.M. Shaw and Liam Kennedy, below!

Carl Stychin @carlstychin.bsky.social · Apr 17

On behalf of the Board of @slsjournal.bsky.social, many congratulations to our joint winners of the 2024 SLS Editor's Choice Awards: @kirisanter.bsky.social and @joshuashaw.bsky.social, Tyler King, and Liam Kennedy: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.... and journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.....

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · Apr 5

. @crimhighlights.bsky.social members Tony Doob and Tyler King recently published a short article for the @johnhowardcanada.bsky.social showing that some of the "tough on crime" approaches being spouted by Canadian politicians are unlikely to work. Read that post here:

johnhoward.ca/blog/harsh-s...

Harsh sentences are better at wasting money than reducing crime - The John Howard Society of Canada

Both logic and research evidence show that harsher sentences are not effective in reducing crime - but they are very expensive.

johnhoward.ca

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Reposted by Criminological Highlights

John Howard Society of Canada @johnhowardcanada.bsky.social · Feb 7

Thank you. There is also this excellent report from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association that covers a lot of data and evidence
johnhoward.ca/blog/problem...

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · Feb 6

If interested in these and other criminology-related topics, you can download all past issues of #crimhighlights, and subscribe (for free!) for future issues, at www.crimhighlights.ca. 6/6

Criminological Highlights

Free journal summarizing topical research in criminal justice

www.crimhighlights.ca

Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · Feb 6

Anderson et al (2024) ... 5/

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Criminological Highlights @crimhighlights.bsky.social · Feb 6

Item 8 talks more about how conditions of release, which are meant to ensure public safety and that the (legally innocent) accused appears in court, are typically seen as "punitive." They also result in "long-term harms" that are similar to those experienced by persons found legally guilty ... 4/

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