Blackmoore wants a ‘re-look’ of prison setting

Blackmoore said a holistic plan is needed to improve the prison setting. File photo

Minister for National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore has said there is need to take another look at the prison setting in Dominica and to establish a family court.

He is of the view that juveniles should not be housed together with adult inmates.

“I think that we have to relook at the prisons and put in place a holistic plan to develop the prison setting,” he said. “We are moving from one area to the next, where we have to start talking about family courts, where we can have a standard way of having family matters dealt with within the court system including the juveniles”

According to Blackmoore his ministry has to go to the point where there is a juvenile facility outside the domain of the adult setting, “so that we can have specialized programmes for our young people.”

He went on to say that young persons have no place within a prison setting unless it is absolutely necessary.

“Most times that is determined by the gravity of the offense that young person has committed,” he stated.

Meantime, he revealed that government has already approved the setting up of a family court.

He noted that the requisite infrastructure is needed for the effectiveness of the family court, namely a separate facility to house young offenders and independent Counselors to deal with issues confronting people.

“When a young person commits a crime, that young person wants to be told, we want to help you and that is what we are hoping to do with you,” Blackmoore explained.

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15 Comments

  1. woi
    June 16, 2018

    he said what is needed and what should be, HE NEVER SAID WHAT ACTIONS THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE. SAD

  2. NKRUMAH KWAME
    June 15, 2018

    Did you just “wake up”, Sir? Martin Luther King jr. once said the following: there is nothing more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
    HOTEP!

  3. Chess game
    June 14, 2018

    I wonder how long he has known all this?

  4. Jabal
    June 14, 2018

    Sir u don’t want a relook of the Police Force? What a sad day for national security in this country, Go head Daniel Carbon continue to mash up and get rid of all hard working and competent Police Officers. Blackmore them have your support sir.

  5. analy thomas
    June 13, 2018

    I totally agree with you sir.
    I also understand that you want to address the issue of juvenile delinquency and this too is good but please if i may add that this would be trimming the branches off the tree. You may want to kill the roots of this tree instead, otherwise the leaves may sprout again.
    The root we cannot see…. What is the root of these delinquencies? Are the parents to be blamed? Is society to be blamed? Is the church to be blamed?
    The spiritual world is that root! We cannot do the conversion but the Holy Spirit can.
    How about we introduce the bible and prayer in our society once more? In prison, in centers, at schools….If the word of God is spoken more than before i believe that there will be major changes in the future.
    We look to man but what does God really want us to do? Just be His child!
    He is the only person who can show us! why don’t we try including Him in our every day activity?
    His Grace and mercy will show up, i’m sure!
    Glory to God!

  6. June 13, 2018

    Not only the prison, but everything else in D/ca :-D :-D

  7. June 13, 2018

    Too much talk my bro it’s time for action there is a Blue print for you to follow if you serious about helping our young offenders; Had your administration supported and followed up on the successful “Camp Londondery” initiative started by the Police; Youth Division and Church i’m sure your present proposals would have been way forward; better late than never sir; just make sure there are no square pegs in round holes which is normal for this administration.

  8. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    June 13, 2018

    From the Minister who could not find keys to the registry.

  9. Neville
    June 13, 2018

    What for? The courts hardly sent anybody to prison nowadays. Dominica is slowly but surely heading towards a lawless society and the dictator likes it so. That way he doesn’t upset any voters at all. But this scenario will change as soon as he is in full control of the country, then he will come after you for even the smallest issue. Eventually he will rule Dominica with an iron fist. Example: Russia/Putin

  10. ArAb
    June 13, 2018

    This should have been addressed years ago. There was talk about this in 2008/2009 and nothing materialized. Strange that society remembers other petty things but forgot and took a back seat to something so important and we wonder why this generation has been on such a rapid change. How do we expect the youth who make mistakes to be rehabilitated. We need a system where by there is continuous education for the Juvenal offenders.

  11. Sams
    June 13, 2018

    I agree with u sir

  12. Ibo France
    June 13, 2018

    The concerns and suggestions by the Minister are very well articulated and should be seriously considered. Placing juveniles in adult correctional facilities only transformed them into hardened criminals and subject them to mental, physical and even sexual abuse. I hope this is not only empty rhetoric but concrete actions will be taken to bring these plans to fruition expeditiously. Ideas of this nature should attract full public support. When something is good, regardless of who it comes from, say so.

    • Radio Kord Kapi
      June 13, 2018

      But after 18 years in office; is it only now this situation surfaces…yes, the suggestion is fitting; but for a party that have been in power for the past 18 years; why is now this is being considered.

      • Ibo France
        June 14, 2018

        Radio Kali, that’s a very salient point. This is a woefully delinquent government. They are constantly preoccupied with one thing only, winning the next general election. This government has failed miserably to deliver adequately for the needs of the people and country. Here are just a few: adequate 1) sporting facilities 2) proper social & safety net programs 3)justice, electoral and constitutional reforms, etcetera. The government is suffering from inertia.

    • Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
      June 14, 2018

      I was a police trainee in my younger days and they were talking about it back then. Nothing but hot air with no substance whatsoever.

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