The Pen Hustle With Brandy Cavalli

Families Of Missing Edmonton Women Want Action From Federal Government

Shelly Tanis Dene, 26 was reported missing to the EPS by a family member on Nov. 8, 2013. Family Photo.

Every time the phone rings, Katie Dene can’t help but hope it will be her granddaughter, Shelly Dene, on the other end.

But Shelly hasn’t called her, or anyone else, in almost two years.

“There are times I cry,” said Katie, holding back tears. “Nobody knows how many tears I’ve shed ever since she’s been gone.”

Shelly Tannis Dene was recorded by Edmonton city police as a missing person in November 2013, though she had been out of contact with her family since July.

At first, her family assumed the independent woman had set off on a trip to the Yukon, but as time passed without word, her family’s concerns turned to dread. No matter what struggles she was facing, her younger sister, Candice L’Hommecourt, says Shelly always…

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Why Prison Rape Goes On by Chandra Bozelko

The following post was written by a former inmate and talks about her experiences witnessing prison rape while incarcerated in a Connecticut women’s prison.

Prison rape and various other forms of corruption have become a widespread issue within the United States prison system.

Learn more about President Obama’s program to stop prison rape.

Visit: The Novo Foundation

Feminist Philosophers

Chandra Bozelko, a former inmate, has an op-ed in the New York Times titled, ‘Why We Let Prison Rape Go On,’ in which she explores why, even 12 year since the Prison Rape Elimination Act was passed, sexual assault in American prisons remains so widespread.

Ultimately, prisons protect rape culture to protect themselves. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, about half of prison sexual assault complaints in 2011 were filed against staff. (These reports weren’t all claims of forcible rape; it is considered statutory sexual assault for a guard to have sexual contact with an inmate.)
I was an inmate for six years in Connecticut after being convicted of identity fraud, among other charges. From what I saw, the same small group of guards preyed on inmates again and again, yet never faced discipline. They were protected by prison guard unions, one of the strongest forces in…

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An Ex-Associate Of Dancehall Artist Vybz Kartel Killed In St Catherine Drive By

A man known to be the former associate of Vybz Kartel, businessman Jamie Ridley was shot during a drive by this morning in the Portmore, St. Catherine parish of Jamaica.

Ridley’s girlfriend “Poochie”, a well known entertainment personality was also shot in ambush.

The incident happened during a fish fry held by Portmore dance personality, Diamond.

The only person killed in the drive by was the 34-year-old businessman Jamie Ridley.

According to local news reports, the incident occurred at about 1:30 am, when a Toyota Corolla pulled up, occupied by an unknown number of gunmen, and allegedly opened gunfire hitting Ridley and two others.

An off duty officer was at the scene, but the shooters were still able to escape.

Ridley’s girlfriend, “Poochie” was taken to hospital.

As of now, there has been no known motive for the shooting.

Stay tuned to The Pen Hustle…