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Tribute to Justice Paul Bentley (R.I.P)
Dear colleagues from the international community:
We learned today about Paul Bentley’s death. Our friend Paul, our dear Justice Bentley, touched so many of us along his life, in so many ways. Those of us who have had the pleasure and honor of working with him and knowing him will miss his smile, sense of humor, enthusiasm for life, and everlasting curiosity. We shall miss him, above all, as a man, a friend, and a champion of drug treatment courts.
Professionally, we are forever in his debt for making possible for us to know and talk to each other. Paul was one of the first to believe that there should be a network of people sharing a common goal. Besides his family, the drug treatment court movement was one of his passions: he invested time and energy to launch a drug court in Canada, and created the International Association of Drug Treatment Courts (IADTC).
Paul contributed to the drug treatment court concept and practice in a real tangible way. He was a leader in convincing policy makers and professionals from all over the world, and in particular in the Americas, that investing in drug treatment courts was worthwhile. He trained and worked with judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, treatment providers, police officers, and many more, and gave of himself freely, while doing so. In his day-to-day life as a drug treatment court judge in Toronto, he saw that his approach gave drug-dependent offenders a second chance.
Paul, we will miss you immensely. To his wife, daughters and entire family, our deepest and most sincere condolences on your sad loss.
Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD)
Secretariat for Multidimensional Security
Organization of American States
This morning (Friday, June 10, 2011) my close friend and DTC pioneer Justice Paul Bentley lost his battle with cancer. This is a profound loss on a personal and professional level. Paul’s courage, compassion, kindness and eternal optimism was always evident in his dealings with others and during his long illness.
To say that he will be missed is an understatement. We honour him by carrying on our commitment to the ideals and values he stood for one of which is the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the human spirit through the innovative program called Drug Treatment Courts.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and family.
“Rest in peace my friend your journey is at an end. It was a pleasure and privilege to have known you.”
I will provide further details later.
Thank you
Mr. Justice Kofi Barnes
Chair
Canadian Association of Drug Treatment Courts.
I was away for part of Friday and so did not receive the very sad news of Justice Paul Bentley's death until this morning when I came into work. This is a very big loss not only to Canadian DTC's, but also to the international DTC movement, as is made plain by the numerous and eloquent tributes to Paul that are pouring in from DTC colleagues from around the world. Paul was a true pioneer for drug treatment courts, and he has done Canada very proud with his international achievements. His vision and humanity will be greatly missed. The best thing we can do to honor Paul is to ensure by our efforts that his vision continues, both here in Canada and abroad. My sincerest condolences go out to his wife Sally and the rest of his family.
The Hon. Jim J. Ogle
Provincial Court of Alberta
The Jamaica Judiciary is saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Justice Paul Bentley. We will be eternally grateful for his contribution to the drug treatment courts. We express our condolences to his wife and other members of his family. We will forever cherish his memory and the work that he did to address the challenges of persons who came before the court as a result of drug addiction.
Best wishes
Zaila McCalla O.J.
Chief Justice
Jamaica
Like all of you I am very saddened to learn of the death of Paul Bentley. I cannot imagine that he can be replaced easily if at all such was his incredible commitment selflessness and work ethic in the interest of the DTC. He was a special man, a dear and wonderful colleague, who carried the burden of his illness so lightly. His loss to the organisation is immense. To his family it is immeasurable. Much as I feel I cannot do justice to the memory of this wonderful man in this short message I would hope that my and our expressions of regard and deep sympathy will be conveyed to the family. May he rest in peace. Sincerely.
Bridget Reilly - Judge (formerly Dublin DTC)
Dublin, Ireland
On behalf of the Cayman Islands Judiciary, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Justice Paul Bentley.
Paul was a true pioneer of the Drug Treatment Court philosophy and programme. His prototype court in Toronto became under his wise, kind and insightful stewardship, a model not only for adoption across his native Canada - itself a remarkable accomplishment - but for the establishment of others overseas as well. These include the Cayman Islands where our formal program, now in it's 4th year, was made workable only with the benefit of Paul's guidance and unfailing support. In addition to hosting some of us in Toronto for hands on practical experience, twice he and his entire team (very notably including Justice Kofi Barnes as lead prosecutor as he then was) were good enough to present workshops in Grand Cayman. The result has been our institutional ability, across the spectrum of relevant disciplines, to legislate, establish and operate our own DTCs, already with notable success.
I feel privileged to have been able to develop a personal acquaintance with Paul through working together on the Cayman programme. He never failed to impress as a thoughtful, generous and may I say - patient - man - truly passionate in his belief and dedication to his cause.
His friends and colleagues in the Cayman Islands will always remember his indispensable contribution to our own works and efforts in this part of the vineyard, and we express our thanks to Paul's family and colleagues on behalf of the many who will benefit here, from them having shared him with us.
Anthony Smellie
Chief Justice
The Cayman Islands
I concur with all that has been said by my sister Her Honour Ms. Winsome Henry from Jamaica. Indeed I must mention the deep appreciation we have for what Justice Bentley did for the Drug Court movement in Jamaica. I first met him in 2001 and he inspired in me and others a love for the Drug Treatment Court concept. His passion was passed on so many years ago and we hope his legacy will live on in Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean.
I must make mention of what I now know must have been a tremendous sacrifice on his part to come to Jamaica in February of this year to present to us on Drug Courts. He did so without making any mention of any illness. It was only when he was leaving and I enquired of him that he mentioned his health. We are indebted to him for this. We will certainly miss him.
Stephane Haisley
Drug Treatment Court Justice
Kingston, Jamaica
This is heartbreaking news to us at NADCP. Absolutely heartbreaking.
My best,
West
West Huddleston
CEO National Association of Drug Court Professionals
As is well-known, Mr. Justice Paul Bentley was the presiding judge of the
first Drug Treatment Court in Canada, located in Toronto. As an Assistant Crown
Attorney, I have had the privilege and pleasure of working as part of the Drug
Treatment Court Team with Justice Bentley at the helm, in his home jurisdiction.
The Drug Treatment Court Team worked closely with Justice Bentley each week,
with some members having done so since the Drug Treatment Court began operating
in 1998. We all feel such a tremendous sense of loss at this time. We have all
lost our leader, for whom everyone had such high regard, an enormous amount of
respect, and great affection. When we bore witness to the sorrow expressed by
past and present Drug Treatment Court participants whose lives have been
transformed under the umbrella of Justice Bentley's court, we saw and heard such
incredibly powerful testaments to the difference he made in so many peoples'
lives. His Honour’s caring, compassionate manner and the way in which he touched
the lives of everyone around him, will always be fondly remembered by all of us.
Justice Bentley shared his enthusiasm for this great cause, not only at home,
but around the world, both in person, and through the foundation of the
International Association of Drug Treatment Courts and its website. His
commitment to this work was remarkable and he inspired all of us to do more to
contribute to achievements in this area.
Justice Bentley will always be remembered for his tireless dedication and his
kind humanity and I know that we will continue on with our best efforts in
honour of his memory.
Joanne Capozzi
Assistant Crown Attorney
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I would like to pay a personal tribute to Judge Bentley. I first met Judge
Bentley in Toronto in 2006 and had the pleasure of attending his Drug Treatment
Court sitting. I was struck by the compassionate way in which he dealt with drug
dependent offenders. I was fortunate enough to work with Paul at conferences and
will be eternally grateful for his support and encouragement.
His goal was to establish DTC internationally. I am sure that all persons
involved in DTC will continue Judge Bentley's work and passion. He assisted
Jamaica in establishing our DTC. He paid us many visits and was recently here in
January 2011 to assist in further training of DTC's personnel. He was so
dedicated to his work, a few years ago he was on holiday in Jamaica and he
attended a DTC session in Montego Bay on 14 February Valenetine's Day! He will
be sadly missed by us all.
Winsome Henry
Former Member of IADTC
I was saddened by the news of Justice Bentley, he was such a beautifuland
caring person, he will be greatly missed. Please offer condolence to his family
on behalf of my husband and myself.
Thora Richards Palmer
Montego Bay, Jamaica
I've just received the message from Paddy and everyone else, on my return
from the South of France and was very sad to hear of Paul's premature passing.
I first met him in 2003 and spent many happy sojourns with him at various
Conferences in a number of US cities and although I couldn't convince him that I
had retired 3 years ago and, working part-time as a judge, I could not continue
as a Drug Court judge, I enjoyed his messages which I continued to receive. I
had the pleasure of meeting him and his wife on a plane from Marseille a couple
of years ago, near which I now spend half of each month in my French home and
despite our promises, we never did meet up again in Provence.
I associate myself with all the wonderful comments of colleagues made in his
memory and pass my deepest condolences to his wife and family.
Sincerely
Brian (Donald)
Sheriff Donald BG
Scotland
Dear Colleagues,
It is with the deepest sadness that I have learnt of the death of our dear
friend.I met Justice Paul Bentley first in 2008 in St.Louis Missouri.I felt that
I already knew him because we had been in contact with the Board meetings and by
email.His contribution to the drug courts was exceptional.He kept us all
informed about the work.It is such a pity that he was taken from us at such a
young age.
Our sympathy goes to his family.I think we should consider a fitting memorial to
his memory.
He was certainly an exceptional Judge and human being.We have a saying in
Ireland that the good die young.He is a perfect example of that.
May God hold him in the palm of his hand and may he rest in peace amen.
Good luck to all of you.
Sincerely,
Paddy McMahon.
Patrick J McMahon (Judge)
District No. 10
Ireland
Dear all, this is just so sad. I am away on leave and so will find a
beautiful peaceful church in Switzerland and light a candle to a man who
mentored me in some difficult times in our quest to do more with the justice
system.
Roger dive (Judge), Australia
I too am so very sad to hear of the passing of our friend and colleague Paul
Bentley. He was an inspiration to so many of us who would not have had either
the courage or ability to connect in the early days of problem solving courts.
He will be greatly missed by so many.
Sherry VandeVeen
Alberta Courts, Canada
My heart is heavy with the news of Justice Bentley. I remember the time that
you, Justice Bentley
and your team spent with us in Buffalo, as your team was planning the Toronto
Drug Treatment Court. Our friendship, and my love and respect for my comrade
Justice Bentley blossomed, year after year. We in Buffalo as well as nationally,
and internationally, will miss him greatly. If there is anything that I or my
team from Buffalo can do for his family, please advise. Until we meet again
Judge Robert Russell
Buffalo Treatment Courts
Buffalo, New York
We in Scotland also benefitted immensely from Paul's wise counsel and
support, particularly in the early days when the Glasgow and Fife Drugs Courts
were being set up. We were deeply saddened to learn of his death. He was a very
special person whose dedication, commitment and, above all, compassion were
sources of inspiration to us all. He will, indeed, be greatly missed.
Sheriff Linda Ruxton
Glasgow Drugs Court
Besides everything that was already mentioned about our Friend Justice Paul
Bentley, I would like to add that thanks to him all of us are bellonging to this
wonderful professional and personal network working for so important mission
which is DTC.
On behalf of the Brazilian Association of Therapeutic Justice I would like to
state that thanks to Paul and his team, Brazil could significatively improve on
DTC Movement.
Our condolencies to his family.
Ricardo de Oliveira Silva
ABJT, Chair, Brazil
I am so sorry to hear of Justice Bentley's passing. Allow me to express
sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Justice Bentley,
on behalf of the staff of the St. James DTC, Montego Bay, Jamaica. He gave so
much to DTCs in Canada and internationally and this gift that he bequeathed to
us during his lifetime will live on forever as his legacy.
Vivene J. Harris
Senior Resident Magistrate
St. James
I am so sad to hear this news. Paul was the first judge from a foreign
jurisdiction that I met after being appointed to the Community Court here in
Liverpool. I heard him speak at the Commonwealth Institute in London in 2004 and
was inspired by his approach and felt supported in my role by an experienced
judge singing from the same song sheet. Our paths were to cross many times
during the years that followed and I have always been supported by him despite
the geographic constraints upon us. I will remember him as a dedicated
professional who cared deeply about the people with who’s lives he became
interconnected. He was a great exemplar of what we all aspire to. May he rest in
peace.
HHJ David Fletcher CBE
Community Justice Centre, North Liverpool
All the mexican team involved in DTC programs feels deeply sorry about this
great loss. Justice Paul Bentley was a wonderfull person, always teaching and
sharing all his great knowoledege and experiences; besides he had a warm and
generous personality. I had the great honour of working him in many forums, and
I specially remember the EU-LAC Forum in Ghent, Belgium, where we presented
together the international experiences in DTC. I was very worried because I felt
like an amateur playing besides Judge Bentley in "Major Leagues". But he, always
with his enormous kindness, made me feel well and confident.
The last time I met him we were in Washington D.C. in November, where he was
talking about the importance of spreading the DTC models or any other justice
model which impulses and involves the rehabilitation of people and its benefits
in order to construct a better world. He also was very interested in the way
that Latinamerica was dealing with the DTC programs. He wanted to come to
Mexico; I am sure he is now with us...
We will always remember him,
Luz García Rivas
Mexico
I am deeply touched by the news of Justice Paul Bentley's departure, gone but
never be forgotten. It is a great loss especially for all of us in Jamaica.
Jamaica Drug Court, the proof of Justice Reform under Therapeutic Jurisprudence
principles, was born and guided by the team headed by Justice Paul Bentley way
back in 2001. After a decade, most recently in February 2011, he and the team
again visited and assisted to train more professionals to move further steps. We
are indeed very grateful for his effort, professionalism, dedication and most of
all "passion" with soft, gentle and very attentative personality to help those
offenders to give alternative than incarceration.
Myself and all members of the Jamaica Drug Court Team highly recognized his
service rendered to our nation building. We will certainly miss him. It is for
all of us to keep his vision and dream alive with wonderful memories of him.
Jamaica pays tribute and will always remember his contribution. May his soul
rest in peace.
Dr. Myo Kyaw Oo
Jamaica
The Drug Treatment Court has lost one of it's great founding father, but his
legacy will live on. His passion has ignited others that will carry the torch
forward. R.I.P.
My prayers are with his family.
Renita Gordon
Drug Treatment Court
Jamaica
If I may add a personal note, I am saddened by this terrible loss. I first
met Justice Bentley in 2001 in Jamaica. I was always touched by his generosity
in spirit and personal kindness. My condolences to his family and many friends.
Nova Hall
Cayman Islands
I had tried to post my own tribute to Paul, as well as my sincere condolences
to his family, on the website of the funeral directors. Probably as a result of
my own lack of skill I have been unable to do so. So I shall post here to
colleagues what my thoughts are and have been on Paul's passing.
As I have explained to many of you when we have met at conferences under Paul's
leadership, to my active regret the concept of the DTC is still relatively
unknown in my jurisdiction. Indeed, while there is one drug court in West
London, and the practice in David Fletcher's court in North Liverpool gets
relatively close to the concept which Paul and most of you would recognise, the
holistic approach of a DTC, and specifically the way in which it is a diversion
from mainstream prosecution followed by punishment, has not yet taken root in
England and Wales.
My interest in the topic started in 2000, when for the first time judges in the
Crown Court were able to impose a drug treatment and testing order; and to
review those subject to such an order at intervals of 4 weeks or more. This was
my first experience of the impact which a reviewing court could exercise on
offenders. This is not the place to develop my thinking in this respect; but
elsewhere I have spoken and written about the desirability of sentencer review.
Because I was part of a loose association of common law judges, in about 2001 I
learned of the existence of IADTC and the drug treatment court in Toronto. In
2002 I arranged to visit Paul for the first time. He could not have been more
hospitable; and I observed not only the proceedings in his court, but the
pre-court meeting, during the space of a whole day. His approach to all was not
only inspirational, but informed my own subsequent approach. We became regular
correspondents. In 2006, shortly before I was due to retire as a full-time
judge, I invited Paul to address a specially selected audience in London to
explain the drug treatment court concept. The audience included the Lord
Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice of England. Regrettably, Paul's illness
meant that, at short notice, he had to cancel the trip. However, thanks to the
New York Center for Court Innovation, we were able to obtain an appropriate
speaker; and the resulting conference kick-started an appreciation of what
alternatives to custody, and specifically drug treatment courts, can achieve.
Paul's inspiration lay behind that development. Subsequently I travelled to the
NADCP conferences in Washington and St Louis; and the memorable gathering in
Ghent; and the friendship which Paul extended to me became deeper and hugely
valued. I had the pleasure of entertaining Paul and Sally in my Inn in London.
Only recently he had e-mailed me to ask whether or not he could help to persuade
the authorities in England and Wales to develop what we all know to be the way
forward. We shall all miss his guidance, wisdom, and above all humanity.
I shall be most grateful if these thoughts can be passed on to Sally & the
family.
Kindest regards to all.
John Samuels (Judge). England
There are no word s that could express our feelings towards the loss of our
Friend, Colleague and Mentor Justice Paul Bentley.
The DCT Movement in Brazil was deeply touched by him. Our country, professionals
and communities were blessed by Paul's knowledge, sharing, compassion,
enthousiasm to became each day better.
And, besides that, I want to testify that his friendship was a sunlight to some
cloudy days.
With my deep admiration, rest in peace Paul...
Carmen Có Freitas
Treatment Director
Brazilian Association of Therapeutic Justice
I just saw the terrible news about paul's death. In 2007 I had the honor of
meeting him for the fist time in his court room in Toronto. His approach towards
people with an addiction problem inspired us for the creation of the first DTC
in Belgium in the court of Ghent. From that moment on we had the opportunity to
meet more often. Even in difficult times his enthusiasm was incredible and he
supported very strongly the creation of DTC's world wide allowing people to
modify the principles to own needs.
His never lasting support was essential to be able to move forwards.
Judge Bentley you will be missed but never forgotten. Thanks for what you gave
us.
Judge Jorn Dangreau
Paul was a wonderful person and a judge I had the pleasure of working with in
a number of settings(and nations). He had a broad perspective which was
appreciated internationally, and will be an immense loss to TJ, to drug courts,
and to society at large.
Prof. David Wexler
I was very sad to hear of Justice Bentley's passing. I had the privilege of
working with him on the Board of the IADTC and of meeting with him when I
attended the CADTC conference in Ottawa a few years ago.
He was a great champion of drug courts internationally and a wonderful TJ-oriented
judge. He had the personal and professional attributes to apply TJ principles in
his judging and interaction with others in an exemplary way. He was an
inspiration to many around the world, particularly those of us in the judiciary
who have been trying to apply TJ principles in judging.
He will be greatly missed.
Kind regards,
Michael King
Judge, Australia
Bentley. Although we only met him for the first time earlier on this year at
the meeting in Jamaica, he made an indelible impression and we felt quite
previliged to have had him leading the team from Canada.
On behalf of the CARICOM Secretariat, I am requesting that you convey our
deepest sympathies to his family.
Regards
Beverly Reynolds
Programme Manager
Sustainable Development
Human and Social Development Directorate CARICOM Secretariat Turkeyen Guyana
My deepest sympathy to Justice Bentley's family, we have certainly missed a
great stalwart...........R.I.P.
Beverley Baugh
Probation Aftercare Officer- Jamaica
As many of you may know, Justice Bentley established the first drug treatment
court outside of the U.S. -- in Toronto -- many years ago as well as founded the
International Association of Drug Court Professionals (IADCP) which has provided
the foundation, networking, and peer support for the development of drug
treatment court programs in a number of countries, including those in Europe,
the Caribbean, the Americas, and Australia.
Those who knew Justice Bentley will also remember him for his warm personal
qualities that made him a friend to so many, not to mention his deep commitment
to the rehabilitative potential drug treatment courts held for individuals
caught up in drug abuse. At the time of his death, Justice Bentley was working
with the OAS and AU to publish the second volume of a publication on the
international experience with drug treatment courts and had already prepared the
chapter he was authoring which he has left with us.
Caroline Cooper
BJA Drug Court Technical Assistance Project
School of Public Affairs, American University
What a sad sad loss for us all. We'll miss you Paul!
Julius
Julius Lang
Director, Technical Assistance
Center for Court Innovation
It's a great sadness for all of us who were fortunate to work with him and
take the example of his strength and goodness.
Undoubtedly we will miss him very much.
My prayers are with his family.
Catalina Droppelmann
For more tributes, please visit the IADTC website at
http://www.internationaldtc.org/Justice-Paul-Bentley-Tributes
updated on 6/30/2011 10:23:59 AM
