Remand population on decline announces Blackmoore, as gov’t focuses on rehabilitation with new prison facility

Minister for National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore has reported a significant decrease in the remand population at the Dominica State Prison in the recent past.

During his tour of a newly built remand centre, Blackmoore stated, “…I must say we have seen a significant drop in the remand population in the recent past. We’re now down to 83. Eighty-three people are actually on remand…”

This number is decreased from a reported 143 inmates on remand.

According to the minister, the overall number of incarcerations is down, adding that the goal of the current administration is to reduce the number of Dominicans incarcerated to an insignificant number.

“We are at a point right now in the history as a Dominican community, where we have 191 people incarcerated. That is much lower than what obtains in the 90s,” claims Blackmoore.

He also highlighted that he believes that, along with reduction, rehabilitation is the path forward.

“For me as a minister in the Labour Party administration, it’s to place emphasis on rehabilitation. And going forward we’ll be looking at a number of inmates who have been incarcerated for non-violent crimes,” he stated. “And that is why we’re placing emphasis on number of rehabilitation programs as we speak.  To ensure that when they [leave] the prison setting, they can contribute towards a mentioned society.  They will have been better individuals.”

While commenting on the amenities of the facility, the minister asserted that even while awaiting trial or in prison there are certain basic human rights that has to be afforded to the prisoner.

Meanwhile, speaking from the centre, Superintendent of the Dominica State Prison, Jeffrey Edmond, explained that the facility was conceptualized by his predecessor Mr. Kenrick Jean Jacques.

“A facility was used for inmates, but because of the number of remands in custody an alternate facility was conceptualized,” he stated. “As a result, this facility was built.”

He continued, “As we speak there are 11 cells; each cell has 3 bunks so 3 persons are housed per cell.”

The Superintendent added that the building also houses washroom facilities in each cell.

He explained that due to a few operational challenges the whole facility has not been used, “but very soon it will be commissioned.”