This was the call made in the “Third Report of the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on Human Rights, Equality and Diversity for the Second Session of the Eleventh Parliament on the Treatment of Child Offenders”, chaired by Community Development Minister, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly.

“During the site visits to each institution there was a common factor that many child offenders housed at these facilities did not receive parental visits and were abandoned by their families upon entry to these facilities,” the report said.

Lamenting a lack of family involvement in the welfare of children at the institutions, the report urged fresh legislation to prohibit child abandonment by their families, to encourage families’ participation in the lives of their children and to facilitate their rehabilitation process.

“The Committee recommends that the Office of the Prime Minister seeks the assistance of the Ministry of the Attorney General to draft legislation to prevent parents from abandoning their children at the (St Michael’s and St Jude’s) rehabilitation centres and YTC.

“Parental involvement plays a critical role in the successful rehabilitation of a child offender.” The report hit St Michael’s for its poor record keeping – which it said is key to the development of individual care plans – including being unable to say how many boys it had housed. “Poor record management was evidenced by the inability to submit statistics of the number of child offenders at the institution for the past five years.

The Children’s Authority advised the Committee that the records of some young men were missing.” The committee said St Michael’s was not meeting its core duty of rehabilitating the offenders amongst its young residents.

“There was no rehabilitative programme.” Further those boys deemed offenders had little or no interaction with the other youths, due to behavioural issues and the fear they would negatively influence the others.

The report lamented a lack of cultural activities for the boys at St Michael’s and urged that help be sought from the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts. The committee bemoaned a lack of statistical data including on recidivism rates among youngsters, and cited officials from the Office of the Prime Minister. “The officials also indicated that the high recidivism rate was possibly due in part to community influence and the lack of parental support in the home.” Pupils from St Michael’s and St Jude’s faced problems finding places to live after leaving these homes, at the mandatory age of 18 years old. The report lamented that the YTC boys have difficulties getting jobs when they leave the facility, and urged collaboration with trade schools such as YTEPP and organisations like CEPEP to further their vocational skills.

“This would allow for the offenders to be able to utilise their vocation as a means to secure productive futures and help to reduce recidivism.” The report also lamented the tardy resolution of allegations of abuse.

“The Committee is concerned that there is an absence of a human resource policy to address the issue of abuse, as evidence submitted indicated that there were two reported abuse cases at St Michael’s over the past five years and 21 abuse cases per year at St Jude’s.

“It was noted that the staff allegedly involved in abuse cases from one year ago were placed on suspension until investigations were completed by the Statutory Authorities Service Commission.”

They both took the title from the defending champion KI Persad who had to settle for third place. The joint winners will each take home $325,000, this year’s first prize having been slashed to $500,000.

As a result of the tied position for first, the third place went to ‘KI’ who won $75,000 and Nishard Mayroo got $25,000 for placing fourth. The other six finalists will receive $25,000 each.

There was a drastic drop in prize money for this year’s winner unlike in 2016 when KI took copped $1 million for topping the competition.

In 2015, Ravi B teamed up with nine times winner Rikki Jai, to win $2.5 million. These two won two categories (Chutney Soca and Traditional Chutney) in 2015.

This year the Chutney Soca Monarch promoter George Singh, introduced the World’s Ultimate Chutney Challenge which gave opportunities to singers who had hit songs of the past, to compete against each other. In the end, Chris Garcia who sang ‘Chutney Bacchanal’, won the first place with the prize of $100,000. Rikki Jai placed second in this competition winning $20,000. People cheered veteran artiste Drupatie Ramgoonai who sang ‘Mr Bissessar’ for which she was applauded for her efforts but she could only make it to fourth position. The winners, Ravi B and Omardath, both performed after 1 o’ clock yesterday morning.

Omardath had the crowd cheering when he sang ‘Ramsingh Sharma – The village Ram from San Juan’.

He told the cheering audience, “In Skinners Park the people chanting they fed up ah the same fellas winning. I go beat them left right and centre, cause the new chant is ‘Ramsingh Sharma.’” Omardath also participated in the Chutney Challenge with his past hit song ‘Ring Bang’.

Ravi B who brought the house down with his selection of ‘Budget’ also paid tribute to chutney singer, Anand Yankarran, who passed away last month at the age of 51.

Ravi also took the opportunity to address the crime situation in TT, saying that there is a lot of disrespect for the women in the country.

Rikki Jai met with hiccups when he sang his Soca Chutney ‘Single’ when certain parts of the DJ system malfunctioned and he spent 20 minutes trying to fix them.

Why, why, we ask? Someone slit Adams throat, as also perpetrated on Jamilia DeReveneaux, 27, at Movie Towne, last Sunday. We still lament the late Shannon Banfield, 20, Rachael Ramkissoon, 16, and Nadia Simms, 25.

Our call is therefore for a focus on the men – especially the young men of our society, even if we have to chance going in their bedrooms to get the answers.

The easiest answer seems to surround the inadequacy of certain young males exploding in a jealous rage against young females who jilted them, or were simply working hard at their own goals out of the league of their assailants.

If we trace the phenomenon back to the school system, do some of the answers lie in the extent to which female students are outclassing their male counterparts in every field.

The situation is so perplexing that the commissioner of police, Stephen Williams, called on divine intervention to curb crime.

But the scripture itself posits that faith without works is dead and perhaps what the Commissioner needs is divine inspiration to push the works that he must do to ease the tension that we now face with these horrific killings of women in our country.

After the heated debate on whether or not Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley was too blunt in warning women about intimate partner violence, we ask what measures are we – the people, the government, the NGOs, the women’s groups, the opposition, the media – prepared to do. We cannot surrender to any helplessness of wondering who’ll be next but must mobilise all sectors to deal with the issue. Also sabre rattling and blaming will not help.

One of the more immediate issue – given what we have been seeing – is how do we identify and stem toxic relationships in the short term and lift the state of our young men in the shortest possible time? It is said men who kill their partners do so out of jealousy, control and possessiveness. University of Manchester criminologists, Professors Rebecca and Russell Dobash, did a 10-year study of femicide resulting in research which gave lie to the oft-claimed defence of “crime of passion”, but instead found, “Intimate partner murders were some of the most intentional killers we saw”. The study said such killers often had problematic childhoods and adulthoods, alcohol problems and were unemployed.

Yet many killers had none of these problems but still had dangerous proprietary orientations towards their partner.

TT’s own Prof Selwyn Ryan’s 2013 report, “No time to quit” explores young male minds.

Risk-factors for criminality include broken homes, failure at school, drug-peddling, gangs and possibly even dance-hall music, plus a marked change in TT’s societal values since 1962. His remedies included sport, national service, and parent and community involvement in schooling.

He wanted vibrant community- driven male groups, and the hosting of a series of major public debates on young males and crime.

So some work has been done from which we can draw. We have some warning signs which we could begin

It is the same Police Service comprising more or less the same officers that is here today and will be here tomorrow and thereafter.

We may justifiably inveigh against its performance and, with good reason, be condemnatory of its efforts. The malaise in the Police Service incites our righteous indignation and fulsome frustration.

However, we cannot approach the task at hand merely with a negative perspective. At the end of the day, the service unavoidably exists and occupies its space in the governmental apparatus. The urgency, therefore, is to seek ways and means to initiate effective and sustainable reforms in its functions, capabilities, competence and efficiency.

Some of these reforms may require a longer gestation period such as addressing the culture of the Police Service of complacency, deflection of responsibility, resistance to change, and recourse to plaintive prattle.

With the above perspective in mind, I have focused in the previous three columns on the absolute imperative of taking immediate and positive steps towards the reform of the Police Service because, in the short term, it is the effectiveness of police action which will curb the upsurge in crime and provide some breathing space for the population in which to examine and address, on a longer-term basis, other aspects of the societal landscape that facilitate the initiation and perpetuation of criminal activity.

However, before I proceed to look at some of these larger issues, it is necessary to elaborate on four aspects of police reform even at the risk of over-emphasis.

They are (a) effective communication within and without the Police Service as well as appropriate training, (b) capacity for creating a viable intelligence network, © community policing, and (d) motivation and morale in the service.

What I wrote six years ago continues to have relevance. I stated: “The appropriateness of the communication technology employed is of paramount importance but so too is the level of training imparted to police officers in order to effectively use the technology.

“Technology is merely a tool and its productivity and usefulness will depend on those utilising it. However, training has to be selective in specialty fields and targeted to those who have displayed basic intelligence, competence, willingness to learn, perseverance and commitment to duty.

“Another concern is the information and intelligence-gathering capability of the Police Service.

Such a capability is necessary if the police are to be in a position not only to anticipate criminal activity but also to acquire sufficient information for successful prosecution of those apprehended.

“The police have to be abreast of developments in the community especially of the potential for anti-social behaviour. They must also establish a network on the ground with feasible safeguards through which credible information can be accessed. However, it requires training, skill, judgment, discretion and alertness to effectively carry out the intelligence acquisition function. The question is how are these attributes cultivated in the Police Service. “Community policing, which has produced significant results in other jurisdictions, has been attempted here but without a great deal of success.

What then are the reasons for this deficiency? Is there a need to revisit the issue of police officers’ attitudes, orientation, diplomatic skills and public relations capabilities?” Community policing is not merely to be seen as driving around in vehicles and occasionally hailing out residents. Its task should be to engage the community, to be part of its social activities, to support youth endeavours, to be responsive to complaints, to be involved in dispute resolution, and to project exemplary behaviour

Deodath Ramjag, 53, of Sunrees Road, Penal, had to climb through the window of the mangled wreck to escape.

He sustained minor injuries to the shoulders and head and was rushed to the Siparia District Health Facility where he was treated and discharged.

According to a police report, at about 7.30 am, Ramjag was driving his B-13 car along Ramjohn Trace, Penal, when the incident occurred.

The report stated that a truck transporting a mobile rig heading in the opposite direction, came into contact with overhead electrical wires. When that happened, one of the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission’s pole crashed onto Ramjag’s vehicle.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Ramjag’s daughter -in -law, Ivana Rampersad, said that her father-in-law was still in a state of shock.

“He is lucky to be alive. He could have been dead,” she said.

Rampersad said that he told relatives that while proceeding along the road he was instructed by one of the occupants of the oncoming truck, to reverse his vehicle to allow them to pass.

“He said when he did that, within seconds the pole came crashing down on his vehicle.

He did not have enough time to even drive. It all happened so fast he told us. He was scared to death,” Rampersad said. The daughter-in-law said that she believes it was negligence on behalf of the company transporting the rig.

“They know they were having difficulty with the rig and they still told Ramjag to reverse.

They should have allowed him to drive off.

“If you see the vehicle, one would understand that my father- in- law is really lucky to be alive,” Rampersad said.

Rampersad said, “He is still getting pains to his head and shoulders, so we don’t know if there are internal injuries.” Ramjag was on his way to Penal to purchase poultry for the family’s Sunday lunch.

Police officers of the Penal Police Station are investigating.

According to reports, the woman and her 36-year-old boyfriend went to Joe’s Burger, at Perseverance village, Chaguanas around 1.30 am on Friday. The boyfriend remained in his silver Tiida car while the victim went to purchase the burgers.

It is alleged that three occupants of another vehicle pulled up alongside the silver Tiida, ordered the driver out and then snatched the 26-year-old girlfriend of the driver and escaped.

While in the vehicle the woman was taken to an area in Maloney where she was gang raped by two of the three men, in the back seat of the vehicle.

Following the attack, the rapists ordered the nude woman to run along the CRH. Motorists who saw the woman running aimlessly alerted the E999 police and officers of the Maloney Police Station responded. The victim was taken to the police station where she was interviewed and later examined by a District Medical Officer.

Police later found the stolen Silver Tiida in Sea Lots. Yesterday senior police officers from the Central Division advised members of the public to be extremely vigilant and alert when out on the nation’s roadways, especially in the early hours of the morning.

They also called on persons attending parties and those women travelling during early hours of the morning after working late shifts to seek alternative transportation rather than public transport. Newsday understands that the 36-year-old boyfriend of the victim was overcome with emotions after hearing that his girlfriend was found alive after her ordeal. He was regretful of his decision to be out on the road during the early morning hours of Friday when his girlfriend was abducted and raped.

A pre-action protocol letter was sent on Friday to Garcia by attorneys acting for the boy’s parents, Christopher Khan and his wife Shareefa.

In the nine-page letter, attorney Douglas Bayley stated he intends to file a claim against the State for the negligent failure of the education system to proactively intervene to stem a pattern of bullying against Tristan.

The pre-action letter stated Tristan, a Standard One student, underwent reconstructive surgery on the right elbow due to the injuries sustained when another student threw him to the ground and jumped on the right arm on the school’s playground. The letter, which is addressed as well to the chairman of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), the Commissioner of Police and the chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, called for the immediate removal of a member of the teaching staff from being part of the investigating team into the incident.

It went on to list the grounds on which that staff member should be removed from the investigations.

The pre-action letter which threatened legal action within 28 days, further stated there could be grounds for an immediate investigation and possibly disciplinary action against the staff member for alleged breaches of the Teaching Service Regulations regarding inaction when Tristan was injured.

The boy’s pleas for help were ignored and trivialised, Bayley stated, adding the attempt to paint the incident as “two boys playing”, will be relied upon as a ground for aggravated and exemplary damages.

The principal’s report to the Education Ministry stated the boys were playing and it denied there was an act of bullying.

The principal’s report was corroborated by Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association president Lynsley Doodhai, in a press conference last Friday, who said based on a combined report of the principal and a teacher, the boys were simulating wrestling acts at the time when Tristan sustained the broken elbow.

The TUTTA president said the day before the incident, a teacher had warned the school’s students about simulating wrestling move

Newsday understands that De Revenaux is expected to be buried after a funeral service which will be held at the Holy Rosary Pastoral Church of St Martin Deporres at the corner of Vincent and Brown Streets, Gonzales, at 11 am today.

Police sources revealed that homicide detectives intend to approach the DPP today, to seek instruction in De Reveneaux’s case, after arresting the main suspect in her murder.

The DPP will peruse a file compiled by homicide detectives, and decide whether the man will be charged.

De Revenaux’s relatives yesterday commended detectives on their work in capturing her suspected killer.

“In this case, I think justice was done,” said one relative to Newsday reporters. “The police officers worked very closely with us.

They were calling us on a regular basis and assuring us that they would catch her killer. We believe that the officers did a fine job. We really appreciate what they did for us.” Relatives told Newsday yesterday that, on the eve of De Reveneaux’s funeral, the family is ensuring that all members feel loved and know that they are not alone in mourning her death.

Newsday understands that on Friday, a male relative of the slain 27-year-old woman was arrested by Western Division police officers, while he was attempting to flee the country by boat. He was intercepted by police officers near Crews Inn restaurant, Chaguaramas.

According to reports, De Reveneaux was working at the Manderos Restaurant at Movie Towne, when she received a phone call.

She left her place of work to take the call, and minutes later, after loud screams were heard, her body was discovered by patrons lying in a pool of blood.

Her throat had been slit.

In a keenly contested battle on Friday for the title of San Fernando Junior Calypso Monarch, Stalin’s nephew Mickyle Calliste, 16, emerged champion with a powerful delivery of Gregory Ballantyne’s ‘Vanishing Heroes’. It was a case of the chip not falling far from the block and singing ‘Thank You’, Stalin’s grandson Kevan Calliste, paid tribute to the calypso artform with strong delivery to place second which he tied with Rivaldo London the nephew of another well known southern calypsonian, Brian London. London sang ‘Trinbago Youths Rise.’ It was only on Thursday last that Kevan, a student of St Benedict’s College, La Romaine, was crowned National Extempo Champion. “It’s all about making our grandfather proud and as cousins, we support each other all the time,” Kevan said.

Stalin’s wife Patsy, who was in the audience told Newsday that although her husband was not present he had already received the news of their success and “his heart is filled with joy.” Stalin continues to recover from a stroke he suffered two years ago.

But on Friday it was Mickyle’s moment, his first major victory and he was rendered almost speechless when the results were announced at the San Fernando City Corporation auditorium. He said, “I am shocked but I thank God because I put in a lot of work day and night.” A Form Five student of San Fernando Central Secondary School, he added, “The competition was really challenging with the likes of my cousin and Rivaldo.” Mickyle’s well executed performance of ‘Vanishing Heroes’, struck a note with the audience by the time he had sang the first verse.

The young calypsonian, surrounded by large placards bearing images of many of the nation’s past and present heroes warned, “We running out of heroes; they falling like dominoes; we running out of heroes in Trinidad. People to look up to, to help shape we world view, for youngsters like me that could be really sad, we want to see examples before us of excellence, in its present tense, yesterday’s heroes are fading like star dust, we need new sons and daughters of prominence.” Mickyle commented afterwards: “People like my uncle Black Stalin inspired this tune for me. Our heroes here in Trinidad are fading away.” He, however believes all hope is not lost as there are a few emerging in local sports and musical arena. Mickyle, singing since the age of five, intends to pursue his dream of becoming a calypsonian/ soca artiste.

London already has three Junior Monarch titles under his belt and there is no stopping for the Form Four student of Iere High School, Siparia. Singing ‘Trinbago Youths Rise’, London beckon his peers to remove ‘can’t’ from the dictionary and rise up, because of all that is happening today, youths are forever being placed in a negative light despite their excellence in all fields.

Stealing the hearts of the audience as well, was the youngest competitor and only primary school student in the finals, nineyear- old Marcus McDonald.

The Standard Two student of the San Fernando Boys RC School is the grandson of another veteran south calypsonian, Victor “Mr Mack” McDonald. Like his grandfather, the youngster delivered an entertaining performance with his humourous ‘Price of Incompetence,’ a tongue in cheek song which took a jab at the thieves and robbers who unlike professionals like lawyers and politicians, always get caught by the law. Much to the amusement of the audience, Marcus sang about everything having a skill and that is why the professionals don’t get “kill.

He continued amidst loud applause, “If you have to lie, lie good, don’t break down and cry.” He continued, “Everything you do, use common sense or pray the price of incompetence.” He placed eighth.

Strong messages also came from finalists like Catherine Kassandra Chandler of Holy Faith Convent, Couva, singing ‘Real Man’ in which she chided a young man for feeling he was a man because he ‘rob and shoot a man or riding a police van.’ Nackhaydon Charles of Miracle Ministries Pentecostal School sang ‘Cry of an Un-Wed Child’ which examined the controversial debate on child marriage. Charles’ performance came complete with bride, groom and full bridal party. He called for an end to child marriages.

He placed fourth.

While many pan people watched the show yesterday they will never believe the hard work the players and management team from each steel orchestra go through.

There was excitment and as the big trucks rolled into the Savannah with hundreds of steel drums, even while others practiced their Panorama piece.

The 10 bands (three medium and seven small) from the sister isle were the first to set up in the Savannah.

As they ran through their paces other bands from other parts of Trinidad kept rolling. It was a joy to watch the convoy of trucks enter the Savannah carring Petrotrin Siparia Deltones pans, followed by the trucks conveying Tornados from Point rolled in behind them.

Vendors were also preparing their booths for the big day while onlookers sat around with their drinks having a good time.