Osgoode Looking to Undergo Makeover

By: Lawrence Gridin · October 17, 2008 · Filed Under Law Career, Law School · Add Comment 

“I was practically embarrassed to see such a horrible looking building,” [business leader and philanthropist, Ignat Kaneff, said] of his visit to the school where his daughter, Kristina, is a student. “It was awful.”

Many who know Osgoode Hall law school would echo this sentiment. Indeed, my anonymous friend at the school had this to say about the building: “like a bunker, but with fewer windows.”

Even the school’s website sports few photos of the building, probably for this very reason.

However, Osgoode’s Advancement Office has embarked on a campaign to remedy the situation.

Osgoode\'s new wing (exterior)

The Building Osgoode campaign is trying to raise $25 million to add an impressive new wing to the law school. The wing will include a rare books library, a lounge, and a new cafeteria. All of this will be centered around an expansive glass atrium.

According to the campaign’s website,

The Building Osgoode Campaign, however, is not strictly about bricks and mortar. It is about creating a centre for legal education that will equip young lawyers to face the challenge of constant change in the years ahead. Today’s law graduates must be able to navigate a legal system that is ever shifting, increasingly global in nature, and continually giving rise to new ethical and professional questions. Imparting this knowledge takes more than outstanding faculty, it requires physical facilities that match the ambition of the education provided. The Building Osgoode Campaign will give us the tools we need to fully engage a demanding future.

Osgoode\'s new wing (atrium)I got in touch with Anita Herrmann, Osgoode’s Office of Advancement Director. Ms. Herrmann’s office is in charge of the Building Osgoode campaign. She explains:

We’re in the final planning stages so I can’t offer any specifics on what will happen, but I can say that it will be a spectacular transformation that will focus on student space and improving the student experience.  We are planning to break ground next May.

Ignatt Kaneff has generously donated $2.5 million towards the project. Other notable donors include Canada Law Book, Goodmans LLP, and Ogilvy Renault.

Construction is expected to take two years to complete.

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World’s Most Luxurious Prison

By: Lawrence Gridin · July 6, 2008 · Filed Under Criminal Law, Humour · 8 Comments 

The Justizzentrum Leoben is a court and prison complex located in the quaint city of Leoben, Austria. From what I can tell, this has got to be the most luxurious prison on the planet. The complex houses about 200 prisoners in conditions that are far nicer than most law students’ living accomodations.

I think the prison is for low-risk offenders, since the maximum period of incarceration there is 18 months. On the other hand, the place is so nice that it probably encourages a high rate of re-offending!

Here are some photos of the complex:

Justizzentrum Leoben, Austria

Justizzentrum Leoben, Austria

Justizzentrum Leoben, Austria

Justizzentrum Leoben, Austria

More photos can be found here, where the above pictures were taken from.

In their spare time, the prisoners at the Justizzentrum Leoben can make use of the walking yard, the two fitness rooms, the table tennis facilities, or the multimedia room. Alternatively, they can enjoy some quiet time in the library or multifaith chapel.

In addition to the classy Ikea-inspired accommodations, the prisoners apparently get lengthy conjugal visits too! The translation of this article about the prison says:

Also a “long-term visit” is offered – whereby a prisoner can be maximally 24 hours long with partner or family in an area unimpaired – which already provided for hot discussions.

I can only assume that “hot discussions” is a euphemistic translation of “conjugal visit.” Since I can’t read German, I had to rely on Altavista’s (rather poor) translation of the prison’s wiki page for the details of this post. Please correct me if you are able to read German and notice any mistakes.

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