Prison Act 2018 going too far?
Speaking during the debate phase at the October 2, 2018, sitting of the House of Assembly, Hon Skelton said the bill is “going too far” especially in sections where it is demanding semen samples from prisoners.
“When you go so far as to say semen! I really think you’re going too far and that needs some order,” the Health Minister said.
Biological fluids
Other sections of the bill which was brought before the house by the Minister who has jurisdiction over Prisons; the controversial Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), spoke on the issue of prisoners being subjected to give samples of bodily fluids like blood and saliva.
He also raised safety concerns in response to plans for the introduction of canines and provision for Prison Officers to be bestowed with the same level of authority as trained police officers.
The “semen” demand was not the only issue in the bill for Hon Skelton, he questioned whether there was oversight to the Director of Prison. “The Director of that prison still has that ultimate power or powers... It’s not clear to me that there’s any checks or balance to ensure he doesn’t abuse that,” Hon Walwyn noted.
The training plans for the prison officers could potentially bring the unit on par with their counterparts at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
Improving facilities
On the other hand, Hon Skelton proposed that steps be taken to remove the negativity that comes with incarceration by changing the facility’s name from Her Majesty’s Prison to Virgin Islands Correctional Facility, a consideration that Minister, Hon Walwyn is contemplating.
According to Hon Walwyn, the Prison Act of 2018 seeks to modernize the Territory’s legal framework with respect to the management and security of prisons, with much focus on the rehabilitation of prisoners. “The principles are intended to ensure that the human rights of prisoners are respected and their rehabilitation and reintegration into society, among other things,” Hon Walwyn said.
Part of this Act will also mandate the establishment of an independent board to hear complaints of prisoners, arrange food inspections, inquire into the health of prisoners and report cases of abuse within the prison.
The bill will return on the table when the House sits on October 4, 2018.
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