Call for submissions: Crime, punishment and other miscarriages of justice

“A criminal is a person with predatory instincts
who has not sufficient capital to form a corporation.”
Howard Scott

“If you want peace, work for justice.”
HL Mencken

“Crime” dominates the news, but the level of debate seldom moves beyond sensationalistic caricatures of depravity, poor-bashing and empty, knee-jerk platitudes about getting “tough on crime.” In our May/June 2009 “justice” issue, Briarpatch Magazine seeks to broaden and deepen the discussion.

We are looking for investigative reportage, creative non-fiction, essays, news briefs, interviews, profiles, reviews, poetry, humour, artwork & photography that explore questions related to the justice system, to criminality (grand and petty, perceived and actual), to national and international law, and to efforts to leverage the legal system in pursuit of real justice.

Possible topics could include (but are by no means limited to):

• the state of civil liberties in Canada (and/or elsewhere) eight years after 9/11;
• the right-wing obsession with youth crime;
• policing the RCMP;
• white-collar crime;
• gangs and gang culture;
• extra-legal activism (direct-action environmentalism, First Nations blockades, etc.);
• alternative justice;
• privatization of prisons;
• terrorism and the law;
• gender violence and the law;
• police use of tazers;
• racial profiling.

(This list is in no way meant to limit the range of topics we’re willing to consider.)

Queries are due by Monday, January 19, 2009. If your query is accepted; first drafts are due by February 16. Your query should outline what ground your contribution will cover, give an estimated word count, and indicate your relevant experience or background in writing about the issue. Please provide a brief writing sample.

Please review our submission guidelines before submitting. Send your queries/submissions to editor AT briarpatchmagazine D0T com.

We reserve the right to edit your work (with your active involvement), and cannot guarantee publication.

Upcoming Briarpatch themes:

July/August 2009: Unplugged (ideas & actions for powering down)
September/October 2009: Education
November/December 2009: Unemployment & alternative employment
January/February 2010: Canada in the world