SOCIAL SECTOR INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
33
SUSTAINING GROWTH, SECURING PROSPERITY
CHAPTER 3: NATIONAL SOCIAL SITUATION
provides an effective means of relieving prison
overcrowding, offering effective supervision
outside of correctional institutions while
minimising the likelihood of repeated criminal
behaviour in the community. Additionally,
Cabinet approved an interim structure for the
Electronic Monitoring Unit.
• Development of the Draft Offender
Management Policy
- In September, 2011
Cabinet approved the introduction of an
Offender Management Programme for Trinidad
and Tobago, which is to be accompanied by an
Offender Management Policy. This policy seeks
to operationalise the management of offenders
from sentence to release. It is an approach
that is aimed at coordinating with relevant
agencies to develop and deliver a managed set
of interventions, to respond to the risks and
needs of the individual offender. Plans are also
underway for anOffender Management Division.
• Development of the Parole Policy for
Trinidad and Tobago
- The introduction of
a Parole System is viewed as an essential
component of restorative justice and as critical
in the transformation of the Criminal Justice
System.ADraft Policy toguide theestablishment
of a Parole System in Trinidad and Tobago has
already received Cabinet support and is now to
be presented to the major stakeholders within
the Criminal Justice System.
• Draft Policy to amend the existing Prison
Rules of Trinidad and Tobago (Chap. 11 No 7)
- The successful introduction of Parole requires
the implementation of new Prison Rules to
replace the outmoded 1838 Rules under which
the Prison Service still operates. The Prison
Rules Policy will reflect a shift towards offender
reintegration. The Policy has received Cabinet
approval and is currently being drafted the Chief
Parliamentary Counsel.
•
Policy to amend the Police Complaints
Authority Act, Chap. 15:05
- To improve the
efficient functionality of the Police Complaints
Authority (PCA), a policy to treat with the
multifariousdeficienciesofthePoliceComplaints
Authority 2006 Act has been formulated.
The Draft Policy was reviewed by the relevant
stakeholders, as well as approved by Cabinet,
and is at the stage where legislation is being
drafted by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel.
• Prison Radio Initiative
- In pursuit of the
commitment to restorative justice and offender
rehabilitation, a Prison Radio Station, Rise
Maximum (Rehabilitating Inmates Seeking
Empowerment)
was
launched
on
12th
September, 2012, at the Maximum Security
Prison, Arouca. It is envisioned that the Station
will serve to boost the self-esteem of prisoners
and encourage them to be a part of something
positive. Ten inmates and twelve officers
graduated from the first radio broadcasting
training module, conducted by the T&T Prisons
Service on 9th June, 2012.
The Penal Reform and Transformation Unit
(PRTU), which was established in 2001, seeks
to implement strategies and programmes
designed to enhance the rehabilitative capacity
for offenders. During the period 2010 to 2013,
the PRTU conducted the following training
programmes for inmates and staff:
• In prison continuing care programme - 160
inmates were trained;
• “Unpacking a journey to masculine and
feminineexcellenceprogrammes for inmates
at remand prison, golden grove prison and
Carrera”- 300 inmates were trained;
• “Repositioning parents for raising successful
youth”- 50 inmates were trained;
• Avoiding the nuclear blast - 300 persons @
YTC, Women and Maximum security prison.
Lecture sessions included health and family
life; the work environment; and a former
inmate’s story in pictures;
• Character First training - 300 persons
benefitted;
• Repositioning corrections to ensure public
safety - 600 inmates benefitted;
• Motivational interviewing - 30 persons;
