Justice Minister Rafael Boasman recognised during Friday’s Parliament meeting on the prison that the Inmates Association had just won its case against Government (see related story). He said, “Technically we have lost,” but that he was happy with the ruling because everything mentioned in it is already among the intended measures to improve the situation at the penitentiary in Pointe Blanche.
Some might say he was trying to put a positive spin on a verdict highly critical of the local authorities for the many shortcomings with which the correctional centre is coping, but his argument seemed to be that with the installation of a crisis team a first step had at least been taken. Ensuring the safety and security of both detainees and employees as best possible is obviously top priority.
Still, that’s just part of what needs to be accomplished and the Minister probably knows this now even more than before. He has been given some time to do so, but also deadlines with which to comply.
Boasman did have a point in explaining that for him to draft an entirely new action plan made little sense. After all, enough reports on what is required already exist, among others from the Progress Committee and the Law Enforcement Council, so he was not going to reinvent the wheel, but instead implement the recommendations, which is going to take a while.
However, while the latter is understandable, the country is bound to international standards regarding the housing and treatment of prisoners that must be met sooner rather than later.
Correction
Friday’s editorial mistakenly stated that VAMED had won an earlier bid to build the hospital from the former Gumbs Cabinet, when in fact those negotiations had not been fully completed. The Daily Herald apologises for the mental slip.
