So, many readers no doubt had a laugh at Saturday’s WEEKender cartoon of only “clean” lawyers allowed and the situation in question at the Pointe Blanche prison is indeed becoming nothing short of comic (see related story). Criminal attorneys have been on strike since June 11 because they do not want to be sprayed with disinfectant to see their incarcerated clients.
Frankly, who would? While hand sanitising, wearing facemasks and social distancing are common COVID-19 precautions, getting sprayed “from head to toe” with a chemical substance as claimed is surely not promoted by local health authorities.
In fact, the outdated practice is probably far from healthy and may therefore rightly be termed a violation of one’s physical integrity as argued. Unless lawyers are known to bring in fleas or something, the measure is both scientifically and legally doubtful at best.
Justice Minister Ana Richardson should not hesitate to take immediate action; otherwise, further delay in penal cases could worsen an already acute lack of detention space. This would be an added problem especially with her announced crackdown on illegal residents.
That police do not have to be sprayed creates an element of inequality, but – in reality – nobody should, also not other visitors of the prisoners. There simply must be a better way.
