The issue of illegal drugs entering the State Prison at Stockfarm is of serious concern to officials with Acting Prison Superintendent Raphael Catin, describing the matter as an “ongoing problem.”
He said at the closing of the Criminal Session of the High Court on Friday that drugs continue to find their way into the facility.
“It’s an ongoing problem for us,” he stated. “People use plastic and send it over the fence with the drugs. Last week someone sent a plastic with ganja (marijuana) over the fence and it was reported to the police but we have not heard anything yet.”
He said guards have been able to intercept about 20 percent of illegal drugs that enter the prison.
Catin also reported that there is a drop in the population at the prison.
The facility, he disclosed, has a capacity of 275 but at present the population stands at 180 with 178 males and 2 females.
Forty-five of the males were convicted by the High Court while 94 by Magistrate’s Court. One female was convicted by Magistrate’s Court.
On remand are 31 males and one female with eight males awaiting trial.
At the prison, there are 139 males convicts and one female. Two juveniles are also in custody at the prison.
In responding to questions from Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Evelina Baptiste, Catin said that the juveniles are kept separately but during meals they interact with the general population.
Catin also revealed to the court that when someone is convicted and sentenced to jail, on entry at the prison one-third of the sentence is automatically removed and is only added back if the convict “misbehaves.”
But this revelation did not go down well with Justice Errol Thomas.
He told Catin that it is wrong and “no prison officer has any power to reduce a prison sentenced imposed by a court.”
“This is unlawful and undermines the rule of law,” he said. “That can’t be right, you are undermining the authority of the court.”
He said the matter should be fixed.
What a country ! I wonder under what authority or under whose directive that is being done
That is so crazy
so thats what them man been doing all along smh the idiots that live in this country my god
No wonder those booso lavie can just walk out of prison after serving little time! Shame, shame, shame!
Check out “you scratch my back, and I scratch your back”
Policy at the State Prison.
first of all, they need a very high wall not a fence. secondly, the guards, prisoners and visitors are all in cahoot on this issue. Third if prisoners re constantly working, cleaning roads, picking up garbage, in trade classes, doing hard labour they will not have the time nor want to do drugs. If people are idle they will find ways to burn time.. Basically the root of the problem is the prison system. They are too mentally lazy to develop programs, constructive activities and labor projects for the prisoners. The pressure should be on them, because prisoners are already in prison under the control of the guards so whatever the prisoners do its the guards fault.
I read about this drug problem in the prison but nothing was done about it. I hope something will be done soon.
Read the comments on DNO and you will note some comments to help you accordingly.
Justice Errol Thomas knows the Law and prison authorities should abide by it. It must be fixed as he stated.
How could this be? It must have been an old practice which should cease immediately. Prison authorities should not have the authority to decrease or increase jail sentences.
A few ways of solving this drug problem in the prison:
1. There should either be police or prison officers patrol outside the area where illegal drugs are thrown over the fence. Those who are caught doing that should be arrested.
2. Install a turnstile with appropriate detectors. at the entrance to the prison. Whoever passes through with either an unauthorized weapon or illegal drugs will be caught.
3. There should be a drug-sniffing dog at the prison.
This should not be broadcasted to the public. Police or prison officers’ patrol should be undercover so as to apprehend the perpetrators of illegal drug-throwing over the prison wall. They, too, deserve imprisonment.
Once and for all, this should solve this illegal drug problem at the prison.
If you cannot solve it, there is a problem with the prison authority. In this case, staff should be shuffled and/or new prison staff should be employed.
”Catin also revealed to the court that when someone is convicted and sentenced to jail, on entry at the prison one-third of the sentence is automatically removed and is only added back if the convict “misbehaves.”
Not even the people whose job it is to enforce the law knows the law or administer it as they should. What made the prison authorities believe they can amend the sentencing of the Courts? How did they come to believe that they have the authority? Is it because the head of government said no law not even the Constitution can prevent him from doing what he wants? Is Dominica becoming a banana republic (even though the banana industry has collapsed)? The most frightening thing is no one in leadership who violates the laws is punished.
Justice Errol Thomas you need to look at prison rules to see that what you you saying is wrong shame on you
But wait nuh, since when that going on in the prison? Who give them man right to reduce prison sentence imposed by a judge or magistrate? So when them serving politicians go stocky for any crimes they may commit is only 2/3 the going to serve? OH HELL NO! Fix that fast because they have to serve every minute of their sentence. Now Uncle Cartin, you are a very good man so fix that nonsense fast. Also, you know who are the suspicious officers transporting the drugs so get with Mr. Weeks and start investigating. We have enough corrupt police officers already so no corrupt Prison Officers.
Assertive, Never Aggressive!
We seems to have to system of justice in one? one is Prison Justice, and the other is our court justice. Thats why some of our offenders and convicts are rushing to go there. That must stop!!! keeping Real. A. S.A. P.
Lets fix that. First have Cameras at the perimeter of the Prisons,, secondly, we should re- enforce the fencing with another layer where persons cannot see thru the prison compound/ premises, a sentry / Guard booth should be erected at the entrance of the prison where if it becomes necessary suspicious traffic can be kept under observation and checked for future references, if and when it becomes necessary, by the admission of the Supt, This problem has beeen in existance for a long time. All common scence changes which does not require big spending. Smh. if we keep doing the same thing and the results are always troubling, my people lets fix it pleasessssssssssssssssssss!!! Only in Dominica, a state of reactionist instead of pro active approach to situations in my humble opinion.
Stock Farm is a revolving door. I will bet that most of the ‘illegal drugs’ come under the name ‘weed.’ If it is legalized the govt. won’t be collecting so much money for fines. That is why it is kept illegal.
so as a convicted criminal one is entitled to two sentences one by the court and one by the prison; so now I understand that you can get a discount at the prison is not in business places alone you can get a 33% discount then. oh so that is why before a guy enter prison before you know it in the next couple weeks he outside. boy them boys have it sweet.
Only in Dominica that happens just c how the area is enclosed weak wire around . The structure needs overhauling. Mordenize the state prison it’s time .
No wonder we see people on the streets in no time. So if someone sentence to 10 years, they will only serve 6 n 8 months , and every whole days is counted as two, hence 40 months 3 years and 4 months….geeeez, plus if they already remanded….
No wonder riem increasing, these folks back on the streets in no time, esp since our sentences are so low….
We are doomed as a nation.
First of all, the prison should not be so close to a residential area. It should be more secluded, properly fenced and secured to prevent such activities. Secondly… the courts should take the automatic reduction of a 1/3 of all sentences into consideration because that is indeed undermining the legal system. No wonder people get out so quickly after their crimes. They should add on an extra 1/3 for all sentences if that’s the case.
Did he say that? Catin also revealed to the court that when someone is convicted and sentenced to jail, on entry at the prison one-third of the sentence is automatically removed and is only added back if the convict “misbehaves.”
PURE UNDERMINING OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM…..
I need that judge to continue working in DA
I fully agree with the judge, prison officers are undermining the rule of law and that should be fixed.
You need a double perimeter at the prison with a strip of no man’s land wide enough for people to be unable to throw things directly into the compound. This will also make it more difficult for people to try and escape.
A prison should never be so close to a community, A prison should be on top of o big hill or mountain like Grenada. Where the cross is at Mourne Bruce is a perfect sight
It has always been my view that the prison needs to be moved, it is too close to the public road therefore easy access for those activities.
@ for the people i totally agree with you, but we have a problem in this country. People run and build anywhere because stockfarm was pure bush and animals. Nowadays, people go and squat land anywhere making it difficult for development. Since after the passage of hurricane david this has become a norm and the power that be finds it difficult to deal with. alot of these areas were large open land but in recent years it has changed.
This could be a prearranged situation. The area where the prisoners are, probably for recreation, should be elsewhere in the prison compound, if at all possible so that no one can send illegal drugs over to them that they could catch.
nice one..let them serve their full term in prison. they did the crime let them do the time..some should be given hard labor too.