Dear Editor,
There are too many unwelcomed activities that are seeping into the culture, and swiftly changing the landscape of this island. The questions remain: How much longer are we going let this negative phase ruin this beautiful island, and what will become of it if the government is forced aside, either by Holland’s heavy-handed approach or, God forbid, by this cultivated and audacious mindset of these criminals?
In Monday’s article, I questioned if mentoring for the inmates would extend beyond the prison, when they are released. Since there isn’t any certainty to this question (not that I know of), and it would take the input of all of us to shape the community into what we aspire it to be, then I’ve got a proposal for Member of Parliament Dimar Labega.
MP Labega, a few months ago you shocked your colleagues in Parliament and the community, when you announced that you were in prison 16 years ago. You briefly mentioned the reason and the length of time that you were behind bars. For me, that was such a sincere admission, because it tells me that you have made peace with yourself and a commitment to change the trajectory that you were gravitating towards.
What really stood out for me was when you disclosed that you still have the same friends (although some have passed), but you don’t get involved in that activity, anymore. Even though I am curious to know what caused you to back away from that lifestyle and how you find the strength to associate with the same friends and still remain grounded, is exactly where my request hinges, because this mindset can be utilized towards a greater cause.
MP Dimar Labega, what if you use that experience to assist youngsters in prison or the vulnerable ones within the community, who are on the verge of being lured into this cycle of crime? What if you make this your mission and take it from the very beginning – how you were able to pacify that overpowering temptation/that double-minded spirit of to do or not to do? With this initiative, you can reach so many young minds, because they can identify with your experience.
Your down-to-earth personality will signal the permission to deliberate with them how you managed to tame your mind, in order to remain grounded in a society that has lost its spiritual and moral values. It would also give you the privilege to share if the change took you on a spiritual journey – one that rescued you from being overwhelmed by peer pressure.
Or did the experience become a wake-up call – the encounter that deterred you from being constantly hanging in the balance – or was it the reflections of the early teachings of family values? Once you have identified the attraction that caused them to go astray, it would be easier to divert their attention towards more positive choices.
MP, if you don’t want to venture into the community, you can form a team and adopt the Miss Lalie Center in Cay Bay. My biggest concern is when the inmates come out, they would revert to their same old ways, once that mentorship is not in place. Then the effort wasn’t just a total waste of tax payers' hard-earned money, it also reflects a complete breakdown of the Justice system, the family unit and the disintegration of future generations.
So, MP Labega, I'm urging you to use your experience as a soft spot for inmates to fall. Once you can identify the attraction, it’s easier to divert their attention to pursue more healthy choices. For you to achieve an effective outcome, you need to have a team of like-minded persons who were in your situation or of a similar nature, and have the burning desire to make a difference.
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
Hurray, Middle Region people’s wishes come true and appreciated, the Zong Supermarket back on track.
Middle Region people were fed-up with only one supermarket in the center of Middle Region and no parking.
And I, Cuthbert Bannis, ask the people what other things did they see the community council and government to do for Middle Region people?
The people want all the fences right and left on the main road to be painted.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
A quick question. On several occasions people who I am acquainted with have told me that they blow me and I reacted as if I didn't know them. So my question to you is: If that person is (those persons are) driving a car with completely dark tinted glasses, how should I recognize them?
Russell A Simmons
Dear Editor,
As indicated in my article on Friday, June 27, 2025, the population was deprived of the understanding of how the amendments to the budget would have impacted the Justice Ministry and Parliament. Due to the near-sightedness of this low-informed group of parliamentarians (the worst ever), the real issues were unaddressed, intentionally. So, I will elaborate my thoughts, for further clarification.
On several occasions, the public was informed by Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling that the construction of a new prison is on the horizon. As I recalled, not much details were disseminated to get a vivid picture of the operation of the establishment. I have never visited the House of Detention and so I have no clue of what the interior looks like nor how it is being operated.
I had expected the Members of Parliament to present questions that would have enlightened the public on the workings of the prison – a comprehensive overview, that supports the minister’s vision, rather than to have wasted precious time to impose their personal and selfish cravings. Since that expectation did not take place, I am compelled to pose these inquiries for myself and like-minded persons, who deserve more explanations.
Besides the desire to expand and have a more modern facility, what programs would be implemented to supplement the existing ones? I would have liked to hear about the educational program in its entirety and how (very specific) does this program help the inmates.
If confiscating cell phones is a challenge, has management considered having a switchboard to detect, blocked and seized these illegal phones when they are being used in the facility? What penalties would the guards, other personnel, prisoners and their outside contacts faced, when these infractions are committed?
At the same time, what are the root causes for various contrabands to enter the prison and what can be done to reduce this illegal activity? Is it the lack of integrity, the principal reason or does bribery become a factor to supplement a guard’s meager salary? Or, is there a possibility that they are being threatened by inmates and their associates, on the outside? However, these partial inquests do not reflect the broader picture.
How about the sudden disruption of the home, especially when very young children are involved/affected? What demands do they place on their dads to keep that close connection with them on a daily basis? The spouses, family members and friends haven’t even come into play as yet. What pressures do they exert, just to keep in contact with their love ones, who are being incarcerated?
Apart from their freedom being seriously restricted, these situations could be reasons for their rebellion, although the inmates are the ones who made the choice to commit the crimes that caused them to be behind bars. But if rehabilitation is the goal (which is compulsory), then there must be a comprehensive approach to identify and tackle the root causes of these destructive behaviours.
If the focus of the justice ministry is on reintegration, would the prison consist of a state-of-the-art kitchen, so that the inmates could learn professional catering, which includes baking and bartending? Because, if tourism is our number one industry, why not use the opportunity to prepare them, so that when they are released, they can fit easily into the hospitality field, either as an employee or an employer?
Sewing (clothes) is an occupation that is pushed a lot, even though we don’t see the results. But what about upholstery, repairs (an industry that is not being tapped into, locally) – watches, shoes, radios, computers, electronic devises? How about carpentry, mechanic, electrician, tiling, landscaping, and gardening? The prison could be an incubator for several skilled jobs that do not require a degree.
It is high time that government invest in its own. This will cut down on the influx of persons who are just coming in to make money and then leave, which is a constant reoccurrence of a cycle that does not benefit the development of a country that is striving to be self-sufficient.
Consequently, would there be a well-designated family-orientation area where spouses and their children could assembly and engage in various activities as a family, in a private setting? How about another section where other families can mingle and network to share their challenges?
Again, if the restoration of the mind is the cornerstone to help the inmates become better citizens, would there be an overhaul of the mentoring program, to extend beyond the prison? Because, if that support system is lacking, then the cycle of delinquency will start all over again, only this time it will escalate with greater intensity.
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
Many many years ago my father at one time told me that when those who justifiably have something to say remain silent, it only projects power, not justice. So as long as you don’t shout you do not need the courage not to bow.
I am not sure if what I am writing coincides with the ombudsman’s report, but I am sure that several of the points and/or topics that the Ombudsman highlighted have been written to you either by me or someone else in the past. So my question is “what should one expect with 12 cabinets in 14 years?” The word “irresponsible” comes to mind. And I will take it a step further and ask, whose fault is it?
At one time when I worked on Aruba there was a lieutenant governor who was not pleased about the fact that people would complain about some policemen saying “nos ta manda” (we run things). Which as it was at that time “the truth”. We literally maintained law and order on the island. We did not make the laws, but we made sure that they were upheld. Gradually politicians, I must add, who did not (and still do not) know how to handle luxury of governing, started to contribute to the demise of the friendliness of the island. But I will again have to repeat myself. What should we expect when we permit persons, of which no minimum education is required, to run a country?
There is a saying in Dutch: “van een kikker kun je geen veren plukken.” So I am not surprised when I see a headline like “Ombudsman’s report exposes deepening governance failures.” Would it be mischievous of me if I declare that “at all cost” was the motivation behind the forming this government?
Russell A. Simmons
