Roberts: Parole System by 2004

A PAROLE SYSTEM will be operational in Trinidad and Tobago in 2004. This, according to new Junior National Security Minister Anthony Roberts, will be one of the Ministry’s main priorities for 2004. In an interview with Newsday following his swearing-in at President’s House yesterday, Roberts said: “The rehabilitation process is in place. What we intend to ensure this year, is that we commence the parole system in TT.”

Recalling that his primary responsibility as the Ministry’s parliamentary secretary was penal reform and prisoner rehabilitation, Roberts said: “Within one year, I would consider that we have done quite a lot. We have actually started the rehabilitation programme. We have started a programme of the infrastructural development. I might say that if you go into the Golden Grove (Maximum Security Prison) now, you will feel it’s an industrial estate. You will see the construction of the workshop, construction of the administrative building. We are nearing finalising plans for the construction of new dormitory facilities. We are at the advanced stages in terms of the planning for the construction of a school at Golden Grove.”

Roberts hailed his former boss, Howard Chin Lee, for leaving a solid foundation in place. He pledged that several initiatives started under Chin Lee such as the Special Crime Unit, the coastal radar network and acquistion of two new Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Coast Guard will continue under new National Security Minister Martin Joseph. “I know Mr Joseph and I know he will add much more to it,” Roberts said. He declined to say whether any new crime plans would be in the offing. Roberts, who is also Minister of State in the Housing Ministry, was also confident that new Minister Dr Keith Rowley would continue the work begun by Joseph in that Ministry.