May 20, 2016: On Thursday 19th May 2016 the Minister of National Security Major General (Ret’d), the Honorable Edmund Dillon gave the Feature Adress during the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Passing Out Exercise for Batch no. 527 at Golden Grove Prison at 3PM.
Read the full transcript of the Minister’s speech below.
“Good afternoon
It gives me great pleasure to address you today on this momentous occasion. I heartily congratulate you the one hundred and eighty-three (183) recruits Batch #527. Let me formally welcome each of you to the ranks of this great institution. You will know better than anyone the joy of this feeling, a sense of accomplishment after completing a rigorous training programme gearing towards enhancing your intellect as well as instilling discipline and fortitude.
Let me also applaud your instructors who administered over your training and character development in an attempt to pass on to you the culture of the Prison Service and prepare you to perform as expected as men and women of honour. They will feel a sense of pride looking on at you in formation before us in a most magnificent display.
I take the opportunity to pay tribute also to your family, friends and well-wishers for the support and encouragement they would have no doubt extended to you upon your decision to apply to the service and throughout your training period. This support however does not end
today for these recruits will need the continued encouragement of their loved ones as they press on in serving the country through these challenging times.
Recruits, as you proudly join the ranks of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service, I thank each of you for choosing to serve your beloved country in this manner. We remain fully aware that the vocation of a Prison Officer can be dangerous. You enter the service at an especially volatile time, a time when our nation experiences an upsurge in criminal activity, some of which emanate behind prison walls.
As guardians of our democracy you are called to duty and are tasked with the responsibility to protect the society and prevent crime by facilitating opportunities for the rehabilitation of offenders in a safe and secure environment. Your charge includes ensuring the discipline of inmates, searches and seizures. I re-commit my support to you in addressing the reduction of the risks you face in executing this charge as the country looks to you to uphold the high standards expected and beyond.
I tell you today as your Minister of National Security that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago sees the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service as an important arm of national security. As such my Ministry has identified as a matter of priority, the need to address the matters related to prison reform by developing a Policy on Prison Management that will address the Overall Correctional System; Physical Facilities; Health Services at the prisons; Rehabilitation of Offenders; Security management services and Prison Officer security.
We will pursue this primarily through a two-pronged approach of policy development and infrastructural upgrade.
A new policy for prison management is being framed to address prison legislation and prison conditions. This policy will aim to transform the current penal system to bring it on par with contemporary international laws and best practices. The intention is to develop a system that provides an environment in which inmates have a real opportunity to turn their lives around, thereby reducing the rate of recidivism.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago and leaders in Criminal Justice understand that inmates also require help to move forward with their lives. In fact, for greater success rates after their release from prison, this Government is looking at a reintegration and reformation network of committed agencies and individuals who are dedicated to helping those released from incarceration to experience life as productive law abiding citizens.
Effecting this requires public policy to overhaul the penal system, as well as collaborating with organizations who work tirelessly to get inmates to turn their lives around, thereby reducing the syndrome of the proverbial revolving door.
Consistent with this policy approach and my Ministry’s commitment to adopting a Reintegrated Penal Policy we will work alongside the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs and his team to reassess efforts by revisiting the existing Prison Rules of 1943, introducing a system of parole, community corrections, a youth justice system, probation and mediation – all elements of a system that is restorative.
We have all agreed that very high and growing prison populations are simply not sustainable. Given that a significant amount of crimes are committed by repeat offenders, it is self-evident that Rehabilitation of offenders and their effective preparation for re-entry into the society is critical for a reduction in recidivism and crime-management generally.
In addition to our commitment to policy improvements, my Ministry pledges continued support the Commissioner of Prisons in important infrastructural and equipment upgrades aimed at improving delivery systems in the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service, geared towards greater security conditions for prison officers are well as creating more humane conditions for inmates.
At this juncture I must commend the Commissioner of Prisons on the on-going work of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service in their mandate to hold and treat offenders, in leading a continued administration of cognitive, technical and vocational rehabilitative programmes at institutions under the remit of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service, aimed at equipping offenders for reintegration into society.
A number of unsung programmes are conducted in the nation’s prisons that enable inmates to develop themselves in the areas of academics and technical vocation. Programmes such as music, art, agriculture, sewing and tailoring just to name a few.
The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service has been collaborating over the years with several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), such as Vision on Mission, with respect to rehabilitative and reintegration efforts. Several programmes are conducted within the prisons in this regard. I therefore also thank these NGOs for their willingness and efforts. Your good work is highly appreciated.
While we make interventions in creating a more humane environment for inmates we take recognition that such an environment also redounds to the possible positive well-being of our Prison Officers who are tasked with the responsibility to hold and treat offenders in a manner that evokes transformation.
In examining holistic reform we have not forgotten our Prison Officers. The Ministry has heard your concerns and once again commit to ensuring your safety and security by addressing the needs identified.
I wish to reassure the Prison Service today of the Ministry’s support, commitment and deep appreciation of the efforts and sacrifices Officers have made over the years and on a daily basis for this country. I assure you that this Government will continue to effect measures aimed at improved security for our prison officers.
We intend to focus considerable attention in the coming years, on ensuring that the Prison Service has the required manpower, access to modern security methodologies, equipment and physical infrastructure to carry out its mandate professionally and efficiently.
The Ministry of National Security remains committed to making proactive interventions to protect the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
From an operational perspective the Ministry has administered over a number of programmes as a preventative measure which may redound to decreasing future prison population such as:
1. The Military-led Academic Training (MILAT) programme, an initiative of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and
2. The Civilian Conservation Corps.
3. The Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force.
4. The Citizen Security Programme.
5. The National Mentorship Programme
In the same token of preventative initiative’s let me thank the Commissioner and his team for their work in the Prison Youth Clubs as we create a new consciousness in our youth by mentorship so that they are led away from a life of crime and become productive citizens to the benefit of our economy and development.
Ladies and Gentlemen having identified possible policy prescriptions, reform mechanisms and preventative measures you will understand that prison reform is no easy feat or overnight task.
Therefore my Ministry commits to collaborate with criminal justice institutions in addition to the prison service, such as the Judiciary, Director of Public Prosecutions and Police Service for best results going forward.
Recruits, view today as the beginning of a remarkable journey. When the going gets though and the challenges mount, remember that you have answered to call to serve with fearlessness, compassion and integrity. Stay the course and walk the straight and narrow always. From this day you assume duty, you stand in a position of great influence as you promote change among inmates and help make a positive difference in reforming their lives.
Serve with pride, serve with dignity and upright deportment, so that you set a fine example for those that aspire to join the prison service and set about the wheels in motion to encourage the youth to serve this nation as you do.
I thank you and may God continue to bless our great nation.”
