Article content
The evidence of systemic racism in our country, including in our so-called justice system, is indisputable. As criminologists, we know that Indigenous and Black people are heavily represented in our prisons, and are treated more harshly at every stage of the âjusticeâ process: from arrest, charges, prosecution, bail hearings and sentencing; to the use of force and segregation placements behind bars; to release. And while many politicians decry systemic racism, they keep giving more funding to police and prisons.
As our leaders talk of âbuilding back betterâ after the pandemic, itâs time to fundamentally rethink how to make communities safer. Instead, our governments are showing an utter collapse of imagination and moral leadership by doubling down on current practices, which will result in more people killed by police or dying in prison.
It has been quite the year for the people of Kemptville and area.
COVID-19 affected every part of life for residents of North Grenville and beyond, from the first case recorded in Leeds Grenville, to business closures, to Doug Ford lifting restrictions in time for the May 24 weekend. However the most read story of 2020, while dealing with the pandemic, was how it impacted our lives. News of a province-wide fire ban were some our most read stories in 2020, with residents wondering how it would impact them. The ban was lifted just in time for the May long weekend.
While COVID-19 dominated the 2020 headlines, it wasn’t all there was. 2020 was also the year the new Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex made headlines. The surprise announcement by Premier Doug Ford sparked backlash in Kemptville, with protests organized by locals throughout the fall. A meeting in November between residents and Corrections Ontario attempted to clear the air about the new facility, which you can read ab