Prison Association writes AG on reform

Richards told Newsday that the Attorney General held a consultation with all stakeholders at City Hall prior to the Debate on the SSA Bill, but now he (Richards) wants to know what are the key decisions being made so that the prison service can now go forward.

“We are saying that if the AG is serious about prison reform, a key indicator will be his legislative agenda which will give legislative support for the direction to pursue, for example a law enforcement safety act to treat with threats and also the killing of prison officers and by extension law enforcement officers, because if these law enforcement officers do not have confidence that the stare has the right apparatus supported by law to treat with their safety and security then you will not have their fullest support and confidence and we will be going nowhere,” Richards said.

Additionally, in his letter to the Attorney General Richards asked for the electronic monitoring act to be proclaimed so that there can be bail conditionalities implemented to ease the prison population in particular the remand yard. Newsday understands that the Remand Yard accounts for 65 percent of the 4000 plus prison population.

Richards also confirmed that in his letter he also asked for the parole bill to be brought before the parliament and laws passed and enacted which he believes is key in facilitating reformation and rehabilitation so that inmates can now have something to work towards so that they will be motivated to join the programme, and be rewarded with conditional release.

Newsday understands that prisoners eligible for the parole system have all indicated that they are in full support for the parole system to be put into effect so that they could be reunited with their families and restore the lost time that they spent in prison. “We also asked for stronger legislation to prevent the trafficking of illegal items within the prison walls, because that has the ability to obstruct our objectives going forward”, said Richards maintained that the AG is not serious about prison reform because in order to go forward into a new realm you must get rid of outstanding issues and that will form the basis for us moving forward.

“Years ago, the parole bill was spoken about but nothing was put in place. Why is his government not listening to advice on this matter questioned Richards.

“He also spoke about Prison rules that was not treated with, but was before parliament and we do not know where that is right now,” Richards lamented.

Additionally, he added that video conferencing pilot project was done over five years in Tobago and never implemented on a large scale and is wondering why this was never done.

Richards reiterated that there was a consultation at City Hall prior to the SSA Bill.

“Is it that the AG brought prison reform to City Hall as a precursor to justify the SSA bill? Was he serious about prison reform, because the information from the consultation was used to justify the SSA bill,” Richards asked.