Following the wide consultation of stakeholders in November 2013 by the UWI Consulting Firm on behalf of OECS Juvenile Justice Reform Project, Anguilla again played host to two representatives in the persons of Ms. Roslyn McKenzie and Dr. Disraeli Hutton on June 23rd – 24th. While on island stakeholders, which included 2 young persons resident at Zenaida Haven, were given the opportunity to comment on the draft document; ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF OECS REHABILITATION CENTRES FOR JUVENILES, that is being developed to identify, harmonize and model juvenile justice best practices in the region.
Following the review, while there was recognition that there is work to be done and gaps have been identified in the current processes, Anguilla’s Rehabilitation Centre, which recently observed five years in operation, was commended for its programme developments, its approach to rehabilitation and was able to share several best practice areas that have been beneficial to the success of the Department’s programme.
Ms. Jocelyn Johnson Chief Probation Officer of the Department of Probation commented that with the ongoing support of partner agencies, stakeholders and the community, Anguilla’s programme will strive to meet the standards established and outlined as part of the OECS Juvenile Justice Reform Project. She took the opportunity to thank staff of Zenaida Haven for their continued hard work and commitment.
Dr. Bonnie Richardson-Lake, Permanent Secretary Health & Social Development commended the staff and management of the Zenaida Haven Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre and the Department of Probation for their hard work and commitment. She expressed gratitude to the OECS and the UWI Consulting Firm for their continued support.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)