People in jail for cursing, sacrilege

He disclosed that some of these offences include using abusive language, sacrilege, throwing missiles, maintenance and traffic violations.

Noting there are approximately 2,280 people in remand, Al-Rawi said, “Of the remanded population who are entitled and have been granted access to bail, 71 percent are still there.” In terms of cost, Al-Rawi said the cost of maintaining these inmates ranges between, “$19,000 to $25,000 per head, per remanded inmate, per month.” As he explained there are several direct and indirect costs in maintaining the prison population, Al-Rawi said people being kept ten years and over, five years and under five years, cost the State $804 million, $1.135 billion and $1.085 billion respectively to maintain them.

“The delay in justice is very, very expensive for the people of TT,” the AG stated.

Speaking to reporters during the tea break, Al-Rawi disclosed, “I have in my possession a Cabinet note from Mrs Persad-Bissessar’s tenure in 2013, which specifically approved the policy to the exact items which she described as dotishness today.” Describing this as “an absolute embarrassment,” Al-Rawi promised to speak about it when he concluded the debate. On Persad-Bissessar’s call to give bail to the 839 people, Al-Rawi said there are only seven people in prison past their maximum sentence.