Too many too long on remand

He echoed the views expressed earlier at the function by teacher/ journalist, Debbie Jacob, who lamented that some of the men who was now teaching at the facility she had first met as youngsters at the Youth Training Facility (YTC) when first detained, and now are still awaiting trial.

“Debbie met some of you at YTC and she migrated to here with you as you aged,” said Aboud. “The system must be bad if someone is waiting all that time for a trial.” Earlier Prisons Commissioner, Sterling Stewart, hailed Jacob as “a true labourer, servant and mother” and the kind of person more of which the prison system needs help from.

“In prison we can’t do it alone,” he said by way of appeal for outside assistance.

Stewart disclosed that the prison system is serviced by help from 120 volunteer individuals representing 17 faith-based organisations (such as churches).

Saying he has seen transformation, rehabilitation and reformation of inmates, he nonetheless advised the inmates present that it all starts with them taking ownership of their situation and accepting responsibility, quoting 1 Cor 11.

Advising them to focus on obedience, discipline, responsibility, respect and relationship, Stewart urge “all my sons” to seek out harmony, to obey the Golden Rule (“Do unto others”).

He shared his favourite scripture Gal 6:9 to advise the men to never tire of doing good. Stewart urged the men to not think of themselves as being victims, adding, “It’s all in your head”.

Earlier two teams of inmates debated the topic, “Should a person be judged by their religion?”.

Arguing “for” the motion were inmates Netfa Felix, Kevon Clarke, De Jean Brooker, Brian “Rambo” Rambaran, Khalid Malick and Chike Portillo. “Against”the motion were Daryl Wade, Andrew Supersad, Akili Charles, Donnell Innis, Mikado Toussaint and Michael Marshall.