Accepting prisoners from VI was ‘foolishness’- St Lucia MP
Now comes word that a Member of Parliament in St Lucia has criticised the decision of the St Lucia Government to allow prisoners from the VI there.
According to Parliamentarian Alva R. Baptiste, speaking to MBC News in St Lucia recently, the prisoners should not have been a priority for St Lucia.
“I don’t think that should have been our priority…and I have been told that some of those prisoners are extremely rude, they are extremely disrespectful to the staff at the Bordelais Correctional Facility and I don’t think we should develop any tolerance for this type of foolishness.”
‘BVI is different’
Mr Baptiste said he has heard people comment that St Lucia had accepted prisoners from Grenada following Hurricane Ivan in 2004; however, the two situations cannot be compared.
The MP said St Lucia and Grenada share a common Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, cooperate on health-related matters and where security matters are concerned.
He even said there was nothing out of the ordinary about prisoners from St Lucia being housed in Grenada or St Lucians going to St Vincent or any other jurisdiction.
“Even going to the BVI as a St Lucian, unless you can show a certain amount of money coming into the BVI you are not going to be allowed entry, based on what many St Lucians have told me about going to into the BVI,” Mr Baptiste alleged.
He further said the idea of Saint Lucia accepting prisoners from the VI was based on impressing the international community, and that it was Prime Minister Allen M. Chastanet’s way of mulling at the feet of a foreign power.
Transferred prisoners identified
Meanwhile, the names of the 21 prisoners transferred to St Lucia from the VI have been published in the Gazette.
The prisoners have been identified as: Omarie Winter, Shakoy Lavacia, Aaron George, Kareem Durante, Orlando Bonnick, Yan Edwards, Kenyatta Boynes, Alcedo Tyson, Andrew Milton, Devin Maduro, Deshawn Stoutt, Matthew Daniel Hazel, Jessroy McKelly, Jevone Demming, Sherman Abdul Williams, Jerry Martin, Samuel Harris, Alberto Rosa De La Rosa, Lorne Parson, Dennis Dwayne Campbell, and Allen Baptiste.
According to the Gazette, the prisoners will be away “until such time as repair work to improve security at the prison has been completed, and the governor determines that the conditions in the prison are such that further escape and disturbance at the prison can be prevented, and the life and safety of other prisoners and the community at large can be assured.”
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53 Responses to “Accepting prisoners from VI was ‘foolishness’- St Lucia MP”
I thought BVI was an associate member of the OECS. The BVI has always helped other caribbean countries in many ways. Wow!!!
Who left him in charge. I am quite sure the BVI is footing the bill for the inmates to be housed in St. Lucia.
Government hasn't agreed to foot the bills for inmates.
Not much going on upstairs, does he?
No wonder he has no power. Did he think before opening his mouth? Utter nonsense!
The majority of BVIslanders don't act this way. Its the belongers that create this type of havoc. They mistreat their own country men & women. They feel as if they have arrived. We need to learn how to love each other and be our brother's keeper. Its time we become #CaribbeanStrong.
One little lesson for this official. Get the facts straight, before representing your country in such an ignorant way. This is a disaster and your country agree to facilitate this agreement. If you disagree with the government make an appointment and dialogue with them. The BVI have polices, regulation and restriction like the rest of the world. They do not operation on ignorant manner. Whether you have a working relation or not , its a disaster , the golden rule will apply.
Pure envy and spite.
He is an @4$ and speak like one too.
As of many St.Luicans, I have called the BVI home of over 30 years. This island has been nothing but good to me. It sadden me to read this article.
Mr. Bptisite comments are not only selfish, but irresponsible. This is not the time for any political gender, but a time to come together as one caribbean and help each other in times of need. It's now our time to get back to an island that has giving us so much.
As a matter of fact I think St. Lucia should be doing more. How about opening our homes and schools to students.
I totally agree with all the comments that have been posted. I would to apologize for Mr .Alva R. Baptiste comment.
These politicians just don't get it... They just love to hear themselves talk..
The BVI is not perfect but it has allowed many us to earn a dollar or two to take care of our families. I will forever be a grateful Jamaican expat and will continue to pray that we can all be more loving and caring towards each other.
I was disappointed to hear the comments of this clueless individual. Does he not know that we are to help each other? As someone indicated, many of the prisoners are nationals of other Caribbean countries.
I was also disappointed to hear the SVG officials who where here recently, say that their offer of education was exclusively for children born there, or whose parents are SVG nationals. Not even a token five spaces were reserved for BVI children, yet still we allow their people to enjoy a decent way of life in the BVI.
Ungrateful people!!!
As we always say, BVIslanders have no where to run to when the flit hits the fan.
But guess what? The BVI WILL rise again. I hope the current officials, aspiring politicians and those in authority who have the best interest of our country at heart are listening and reading. Noticed other Caribbean nations were quick to 'evacuate' their people? We BVIslanders have no choice but to stay and face the music.
It is about time that BVIslanders have representation in their own country. Long overdue.
most of you all are commenting on the one man with an irresponsible comment(black dot) rather than giving praise to the Government in power and people of St.Lucia, who open their arms ( so much white) in this situation....you have made the negative a "star" while the "real star"...with the exception of a few, gets nothing
stop wasting time on the "black dot" big up the good and encourage them to go one...support them....help people to forget that one comment by drowning it with so much positive that all people remember was our Caribbean brothers and sisters help us when were were in need and we are proud to be doing this and together we will be stronger than before...........so much white..so much white....there will always be a black dot.....but so much white...so much white