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Abstract: 

In this issue we have contributions related to the 50th anniversary of ICCA, the 2013 Mead Lecture, a discussion of the dramatic changes in the penal field in Canada, an ICCA policy position, and a review of recent books. President Nunes outlines the plans for the 50th anniversary celebrations and for the future. Shortly after conducting this interview, Mr. Nunes informed JCC that ICCA had entered into a memorandum of agreement with the American Probation and Parole Association to co-host the second World Congress on Community Corrections, to be held in Los Angeles in July 2015. Dr. Ralph Serin, from Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, delivered the Mead Lecture on the topic of the “Top 10 list of Things Learned in a 40-Year Career in Corrections.” He reflects on the “massive” increase in scholarly work on community correctional practice and points out the value of conferences and websites for keeping practitioners current on the latest evaluations and emerging knowledge germane to the field of community c orrections. Mary Campbell, former director general of corrections and criminal justice in the Department of Public Safety Canada, explores what has happened in the past 20 years in Canada. For years, the Canadian approaches to penal matters were the envy of most countries, but not anymore! This is a thought-provoking call to action for our Canadian readers. With an increased public expectation for agencies dealing with public safety to be accountable and transparent in their activities, the development of good information systems is a requisite. ICCA has produced this useful policy position paper to assist agencies in developing adequate and appropriate information accountability systems. Our book review editor, Russ Immarigeon, has reviewed five books that comment on very current issues in corrections. Topics include critical perspectives on psychiatry, race, and the war on poverty; the rise of surveillance systems in Europe; an anatomy of American punishment; a critical examination of race and incarceration and an appraisal of the justice reinvestment strategy by a team of British scholars. These reviews will assist practitioners to stay current and help select what issues to pursue in more depth.

Keywords: race and incarceration; surveillance; punishment; justice reinvestment

Affiliations:  1: Journal Executive Editor.