Trinidad & Tobago Interested in Electronic Tagging Programme

NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The Bahamas government says Trinidad & Tobago is interested its electronic monitoring system (EMS) that was implemented here in December last year.

National Security Minister O.A.T. “Tommy” Turnquest said that the programme has been so successful here that the authorities in Port of Spain have expressed an interest in the programme as part of that country’s efforts to deal with rising crime there.

“In fact, the programme is so effective that officials from Trinidad and Tobago have visited us and have now implemented the electronic monitoring programme with the same international partners and providers (that The Bahamas uses),” Turnquest said.

He said that 17 people have been remanded in prison for breach of the terms of the EMS, which is currently being implemented in Grand Bahama, Abaco and Exuma.
The government said the EMS was implemented in December, 2010 to assist officials with “reducing the sentenced inmate population of Her Majesty’s Prisons and to better monitor persons who are placed on bail”.

Turnquest said it “has been very effective in assisting the police in solving crimes” and that there were
162 offenders assigned to the Electronic Monitoring Programme as of October 17.

“We are completely satisfied with the Electronic Monitoring Programme and are assured that the programme helps with the prevention of crime, and can help control the number of recurring offences by those on bail,” Turnquest said.

The National Security Minister said despite the successes of the programme, he was thankful of the the “yeoman’s job” being done by the Royal Bahamas Police Force in removing alleged criminals from the streets.

“Section 19 (3) of our Constitution provides that a person be brought before the courts and tried within a reasonable time or be released either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions. We need to try these cases in a reasonable time.

“These persons are creating havoc on our streets and in our neighbourhoods. I echo the frustration of the Police who work hard in taking alleged criminals off the streets only to have them return to commit more crimes.”

Turnquest said the compendium of anti-crime bills debated in the House of Assembly recently should help to resolve the majority of these issues.

“This government, over time, has implemented considered and practical strategies and programmes to address crime in The Bahamas. The sustained results of our efforts will not necessarily be seen overnight as addressing the root causes of crime involves investment in a range of socio-economic initiatives before we see the transformation of our society,” he added.

Antigua Observer

Trinidad & Tobago Interested in Electronic Tagging Programme

CMC October 24th, 2011

http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=66353