Halfway homes for ex-inmates

HALFWAY homes are expected to be introduced by the middle of this year to help the reduction of the recidivism rate, which will eventually assist in the decline in crime, Anthony Roberts, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Rehabilitation said yesterday.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony of Professor Ramesh Deosaran’s report on Prison Recidivism, Roberts said that it is generally known that a reduction in the recidivism rate will result in a decline in the crime rate. In the circumstances, Roberts said, urgent consideration is being given to an aftercare and resettlement programme for ex-inmates, a substantial number of whom do not have a home or any living accommodation to return to, after serving their period of incarceration. “These inmates do not possess the financial resources to purchase food, clothing and basic commodities and such a situation can only lead to a feeling of alienation and low self-esteem that inevitably leads to the return to the life of crime,” Roberts said.

The Halfway Homes, Roberts continued, is aimed at developing literacy and numeracy skills which the ex-inmates may have started during imprisonment; the development of life skills such as self-esteem; anger management and conflict resolution, family life education, coping and problem solving skills and spiritual development. Roberts went on to say that the government is committed to the war against crime and will fight on every front.  To this end, he said, penal reform, transformation and government’s programme for prisoner rehabilitation are being undertaken. He added that Cabinet has recently approved the recommendations of the Task Force on prison reform and transformation.  Retired Prisons Comm-issioner Cipriani Baptiste is head of that Task Force. Some of the Cabinet’s recommendations include the introduction of the  philosophy of restorative justice, the youth justice system and the introduction of a parole system.

Roberts also said that advances for improving facilities for prison officers have been made in a number of areas.  Outlining them, he referred to the dormitory at the Golden Grove Prison, which  is 90 percent complete. He also said that preparation is being made to commence construction of administrative facilities at Golden Grove Prison.The construction site has been fenced and foundation is being prepared for the construction of the workshop which will facilitate rehabilitation programmes for inmates.  Roberts added that refurbishment work is presently taking place at the Youth Training Centre (YTC).

Roberts said further that discussions have begun between officials of the Ministry of Education and the Security Ministry concerning the construction of a school at the Golden Grove Prisons. The school’s curriculum, he said, will be specifically tailored to meet the needs of inmates and the Ministry is looking forward to expanding the programme to other prisons. In closing, Roberts said the Ministry is aggressively addressing the situation of overcrowding.  He said they are actively pursuing efforts to ensure the full occupation of the Maximum Security Prison in the shortest possible time and that Cabinet will receive a note to that effect within a month.