How Canadian journalism is advancing the public dialogue on criminal justice reform
Channel: Law & Design CoLab
Date: 28/10/2021

Leading Canadian journalists discuss the challenges of holding institutions accountable and galvanizing support for criminal justice reform.

Background

Canada’s criminal legal system has many systemic problems that cry out for reform. Despite decades of legal advocacy and research, governments across the political spectrum have failed to meaningfully address many of these problems, even when given majority powers to do so.

The only plausible pathway to systemic criminal justice reform is through building popular awareness and galvanizing public support. Now, more than ever before, the Canadian electorate is paying attention to the criminal justice system and it is journalists that are often leading the conversation. 

Unlike the 24 hr news cycle or popular entertainment, investigative journalism and beat reporting are uniquely positioned to:
- accurately describe the problems of the criminal legal system (beyond individual cases e.g. by analyzing government data or social science research)
- explain how Canada’s social and historical actions continue to shape outcomes,
- centre the lived-experience of marginalized people,
- describe solutions-oriented/constructive perspectives, and
- leverage multimedia format with higher production values.

Today, we’re hearing from four outstanding voices in Canadian journalism that are leading the way.

Speakers

Justin Ling 

Justin Ling is a freelance investigative journalist who has produced expert and insightful reporting on Canada’s criminal legal system. He also covers privacy, security, foreign policy, politics, and defence among other topics. He hosts two podcasts The Village and The Flamethrowers and recently published Missing From the Village.
- Houses of hate: how Canada's prison system is broken
- Piecemeal reform Reform but no follow-through 
- Will the Canadian government ever deliver on justice reform 

Alyshah Hasham 

Alyshah Hasham has covered courts, crime and justice-related issues for the Toronto Star since 2014. She is most often found sitting in a courtroom somewhere in Toronto or the GTA. This year, she was a joint recipient of the Landsberg Award, in recognition of herstories addressing women's experiences of male violence—including police workplace sexual harassment—and exploring potential solutions. 

- She wanted to tell you about her sex assault. The court won’t let her
- Constitutional challenge argues Parole Board of Canada is systematically violating prisoners’ right to timely post-suspension hearings 

Tom Cardoso

Tom Cardoso is an investigative reporter with The Globe and Mail. His work often combines creative freedom of information requests, data analysis and source development. Last year, his reporting on systemic racism in prisons was recognized with awards from the National 

Newspaper Awards and Canadian Association of Journalists. Before moving to investigations, he covered gun policy, policing and Canada's correctional system while on the crime and justice beat.

- Bias behind bars: A Globe investigation finds a prison system stacked against Black and Indigenous inmates
- Injunction request aims to end prison risk-assessment tool biased against Indigenous people