“[…] I saw recently, via our local news media, the paintings done by some of our prisoners, and I was, indeed, very impressed by what I saw. “[…] The display of the paintings done by our prisoners at the Independence art exhibition would go a long way towards giving effect …
Read More »‘Imagine going to work, fully aware that Covid-19 is present!’ Day in the life of a prison guard
“[…] Mentally, it is draining and frustrating at times… You work with persons today and by the next day or two, they are testing positive for Covid-19 and going into quarantine. So you’re now left wondering if you could possibly have it. “[…] It isn’t easy to go in to …
Read More »20 new Covid-19 cases in the prison system
The Ministry of Health has reported a cluster of 20 new positive cases of Covid-19 coming from the prison system. These new cases formed part of the 50 new cases reported for 13 November, bringing the number of active cases in the country to 526. There have been 5980 total …
Read More »AG hails virtual courts, electronic tagging but mum on costs, Deyalsingh says Facebook acct hacked
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi hailed an imminent judicial milestone for Trinidad and Tobago today as he said that virtual courtrooms are here to stay and will be the default method for ‘judge alone trials, bail hearings, remand sentences and charge matters’. The aforementioned legal matters, according to Al-Rawi, take up …
Read More »Health ministry reveals Covid-19 map data, 388 prisoners proposed for release
“Today marks an inflection point, a turning point, with how we treat with Covid-19,” said Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh at today’s press conference. “If we as a society heed the warnings of the prime minister, the minister of health, the chief medical officer, the commissioner of police, civil society; and …
Read More »Killing ants with sledgehammers: the problem with Interception of Communications amendments
On 4 February 2020, the Attorney General introduced the Interception of Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (the ‘Bill’) in the Senate. The Bill has noble intentions, but as we all know the road to hell is paved with such intentions. The Bill seeks to amend the Interception of Communications Act by …
Read More »Dear editor: ‘He was my mentor and a gentleman!’ Ode to Tim Kee
“He was my mayor, vice president, president, mentor, father, friend, big brother…” Former Strike Squad captain and National Futsal Team coach Clayton ‘JB’ Morris pays tribute to the late Raymond Tim Kee: He was Mayor of the city, Port of Spain, where I was born. He was TTFA Vice president …
Read More »Dear Editor: Human rights are non-negotiable; Senator’s suggestion to castrate paedophiles is wrong
“Human rights are non-negotiable and prisoners who may be paedophiles are not excluded. That is the law—even when we don’t like the results. “[…] The implication of [Dr Varma Deyalsingh’s] statement is that the paedophile prison population is the cause of overcrowding and so chemical castration is proffered as the …
Read More »Letter to the Editor: Why our attitude to prisoners and YTC inmates is self-defeating
“What the view expressed by the talk show host reflects is the right-wing approach that says we must: “lock up dey ar** and throw away de key.” And upon eventual release what have we created? “Those who imagine that these young men and women at the corresponding facility are ‘wotless’, …
Read More »Call for reformation: Why Archbishop Joe’s petition spells trouble for hardened criminals
Archbishop Joseph Harris’ initiative to petition Government to free from prison petty offenders who have remained on remand for an inordinately long time is laudable and deserving of support. However, if it’s accepted and implemented in its current form, it would deal an unjust blow to many more accused persons, …
Read More »Free at last? Live Wire looks at Jamaica’s call for slavery reparations
The Jamaica Government has probably become the first Caribbean nation to formally raise the topic of slavery reparation with the United Kingdom. But Mr Live Wire is not ruling out the possibility of a post-match disqualification. Putting your hand out for a quick buck off of someone else’s work is …
Read More »Filbert Street spies new Opposition crime plan
Scene: Wired Towers, the offices of Wired868. 37th floor, corner suite. Office of Publisher/Editor-in-chief, Lasana Liburd. Secretary: “Mr Liburd, your 10 o’clock is here to see you.” Lasana Liburd (LL): “Thanks, Destra, bring him through. And Destra…” Secretary: “Yes, Mr Liburd?” LL: “Put some clothes on. Yuh so damn loose!” Secretary: …
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