U.S., Canadian Officials Sign Law Enforcement Pact
from The Associated Press via the Miami Herald
The United States and Canada adopted an agreement Tuesday to allow law enforcement authorities of both nations to share personnel and cross the border more easily to fight human, drug and weapon smuggling on waterways that separate them. The signing gives U.S. and Canadian officials the authority to train each other's officers and establish the program permanently. More

Search Engine Provides Quantum Leap for Crime Fighters
from KMGH-TV
Several police chiefs, county sheriffs and district attorneys in Colorado say the new CopLink search engine will revolutionize crime fighting the same way fingerprints did 100 years ago, or that DNA did 20 years ago. The system links the criminal records from participating agencies into one database. More

Killing of California Deputy Sparks Largest Gang Takedown in U.S. History
from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune
A four-year gang investigation touched off by the killing of a sheriff's deputy from El Monte, Calif., has culminated in "the largest gang takedown in United States history," federal officials said. Members of a Hawaiian Gardens Latino street gang for years targeted deputies and waged a racist campaign to eliminate the city's black residents through attempted murders and other crimes, according to federal racketeering indictments unsealed last week. More

Court: Suspects can be Interrogated without Lawyer
from The Associated Press via the Detroit News
The Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned a long-standing ruling that stopped police from initiating questions unless a defendant's lawyer was present, a move that will make it easier for prosecutors to interrogate suspects. The high court, in a 5-4 ruling, overturned the 1986 Michigan v. Jackson ruling, which said police may not initiate questioning of a defendant who has a lawyer or has asked for one unless the attorney is present. More

Police Use GPS to Track Suspects Despite Murky Law
from The Associated Press via the Gainesville Sun
Across the nation, investigators are using GPS to catch drug dealers, burglars, stalkers and other criminals. Police say the devices, which rely on satellites to determine locations, are similar to trailing a suspect with officers but more effective. But privacy advocates and criminal defense lawyers beg to differ. More

Ex-con's Magazine Focuses on Advocacy, Prison Life
from The Associated Press via the Chicago Tribune
To prison inmates, he's a jailhouse lawyer made good. To wardens, he's a thorn in the side. To prison advocates, Paul Wright is a success story: Once a killer, then a prisoner, now a journalist with a cause. He has carved out a niche with his Prison Legal News, a self-help magazine. More

Useful Techniques for Surviving Budget Cuts
from CorrectionsOne
Budget reductions continue to have a significant impact on managing correction facilities in a safe and efficient manner. Every year, public safety agencies across the United States are expected to maintain high standards while budgets are continually reduced for equipment, training, contracts, and staffing. Here are a few suggestions for administrators working throughout the criminal justice system. More

Released Prisoners Get Training, Support
from the Detroit Free Press
Success in Michigan's new approach to prisoner parole ultimately will be measured by whether parolees commit crimes. Historically, between half and two-thirds of all parolees re-offend within three years of release. Prison officials claim their Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative significantly reduces that rate. More

Courts Deliver Their Own 'Diplomas'
from the Gainesville Times
Court officials say treatment courts work, cutting down recidivism rates and saving taxpayers money. Since 2003, more than 350 people have graduated from Hall County, Ga., DUI Court. Nearly 300 have graduated from felony drug court, with graduates re-offending at a rate of less than 5 percent. Officials estimate that Hall County drug court has saved taxpayers close to $300,000 as an alternative to jailing offenders. More