The purpose and efficacy of prisons in Trinidad and Tobago have come under intense scrutiny, particularly in light of the country’s chronic delays in the justice system. Debbie Jacob, a long-time advocate and educator within the prison system, has highlighted these issues, drawing parallels to the systemic racial injustices in the United States as described in Michelle Alexander’s seminal work, *The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness*. Alexander’s book, which has influenced legal education and advocacy in the U.S., argues that prisons serve as a modern form of racialized social control—a perspective that resonates with Jacob’s observations in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jacob began teaching at the Youth Training Centre (YTC) in 2010, where she encountered young men aged 24-26 still awaiting trial in a facility designed for 16-18-year-olds. The delays in the justice system have only worsened, with many individuals losing over a decade of their lives waiting for their day in court. This prolonged uncertainty often forces the accused to plead guilty, undermining the very essence of justice. In 2010, 67% of the prison population was on remand, a figure Jacob fears has since increased, placing a significant financial burden on taxpayers for housing, feeding, and transporting these individuals.
Despite some progress, such as the introduction of electronic filing and virtual courtrooms under former Chief Justice Ivor Archie, systemic delays remain a defining feature of the judiciary. Jacob questions the integrity of investigations and the ease with which individuals are incarcerated, often without solid evidence. Her concerns are compounded by the low murder detection rate and the police’s decision to create their own prison system, further eroding public trust.
Jacob’s work underscores a pressing need for reform. She challenges the judiciary to address these delays and ensure that prisons serve their intended purpose—rehabilitation and justice—rather than perpetuating a cycle of injustice and inefficiency.