A couple of weeks ago, a select group of Police Officers inAnguilla, attended a three-day gang investigation training course which was oddly held at the Tourist Board’s conference room – of all places. It was a low-key event obviously in the sense that it was not widely publicised, and was conducted by a high-profile team of FBI and US Department of Homeland Security personnel.
In his remarks, Larry Covington, the FCO’s Overseas Territories Law Enforcement Adviser, told the Police Officers that they had “an immense amount of knowledge about the small number of people engaging in gang violence”. In other words, he seemed to have suggested to the officers that since those persons are known to them, they should go after them. He stated that the Police needed to protect the community by ensuring that persons who commit violent crimes are brought to justice and that other youngsters do not get into gangs. Indeed, with a number of our young people already fallen victims to gang violence and some of them now serving prison sentences, there is every reason for much concern.
Cracking down on the perpetrators of violence, with the heavy hand of the law, is certainly a way to deal decisively with the situation. One wonders, however, since the offenders are known to the Police Officers, whether they, with the assistance of all segments of civil society, can reach out to them in a manner which may influence them to abandon their course of violence and become law-abiding citizens instead. It is possible, but who would take on that task and perhaps win the hearts of our wayward youth?
Be that as it may, our small prison is bursting at its seams with many young people and the number is steadily rising. Rather than being prisoners, huddled together or separated as the case may be, they could be part of the pride and future human resource of our emerging island nation. But it is not too late for them to reform and to become the noble persons they ought to be. It is becoming extremely difficult for the Prison Officers to manage an increasing number of prisoners, many with long sentences and sometimes of a boisterous behaviour. The situation is however helped in a positive manner by the addition to the prison services of counselling, religious instruction and educational tutoring for those wishing to participate. It is unfortunate perhaps that such participation is not mandatory for the greater good.
At the moment, the prison cells are overcrowded as stated above. Thankfully, but sadly, it has become necessary, with the cooperation of the Anguilla Government, which has responsibility for the administration of the prison, and the Governor’s Office, responsible for operations, that the construction of a costly new block of prison cells has been agreed to and is nearing completion. While the additional prison facility is necessary, it is sad that due to their own misdemeanours, provision has had to be made to lock up more of our young people.
The new building has accommodation for eleven cells; and it is understood that altogether, in both the existing cells and those being provided, it will be possible to accommodate up to 102 prisoners. That will be a large prison population for a very small island and indeed more per capita than in many larger countries. The new block of prison cells was inspected by the British Minister for theOverseasTerritories, Mark Simmonds, and his visiting party, late last week. The prisoners in the other cells peered inquisitively through the barricades at the passing officials, but showed no disrespect nor made any catcalls to them. They should be complimented for their good behaviour.
This week, Wednesday, among the agenda items for a meeting of the Anguilla House of Assembly, was provision for the second and third readings of the Parole of Prisoners (Amendment) Bill, 2012. This legislation is part of a process started by the Anguilla Government since in 2008 tocreate a system for the parole of deserving prisoners. In August this year, Steve Bradley, the Overseas Territories Prison Reform Coordinator, said efforts were gradually being made to put the necessary legislation and regulations in place to properly process prisoners for release in the community. He noted that part of the final process was the recruitment and training of Parole Board members which had already taken place. He added that he was looking forward to the passing of the amending legislation.
With the expected soon commissioning of the parole system, it may not be long before the first batch of prisoners will actually be paroled and the conditions of their release clearly articulated. Their parole would not only create more room at the prison (sadly for other offenders), but will give those persons set at liberty an opportunity to reform and rebuild themselves into productive citizens of Anguilla. It will be a demonstration that although the island state is prepared to punish wrongdoers, through law enforcement, at the same time it can show a spirit of love for our wayward youth and give them an opportunity to reform.
