In the decade leading up to the Emancipation Act, Tobago’s planting community braced for the anticipated consequences of the anti-slavery movement. Fearing violent resistance from the African population, which they labeled as criminal, authorities implemented stringent measures to maintain control. These included harsher laws, an expanded and more regulated police force, and enhanced judicial facilities. A new courthouse was constructed above the marketplace, providing magistrates with larger spaces to operate. Simultaneously, the police forces in Scarborough and Plymouth were bolstered by a new law that introduced two additional magistrates to oversee law enforcement and address offenses. These magistrates were required to hold court sessions twice weekly, year-round, and were empowered to appoint constables to maintain order during market days and apprehend offenders. To accommodate the expected rise in incarcerations, the Scarborough Jail was expanded. The prison’s design was rooted in four key principles: the anticipated increase in prisoners due to societal tensions, the need to prevent escapes, the deterrence of external assistance to inmates, and the enforcement of labor as a core component of incarceration. The new facility, constructed by John H Noding, was a two-story structure designed to be escape-proof, with reinforced walls, iron gates, and secure partitions. A committee was established to oversee the project, ensuring its timely completion by June 1, 1824. Parallel to these developments, the militia was strengthened through a 1827 law that introduced strict regulations, mandatory enlistment for free men aged 16 to 55, and provisions for uniforms and weaponry. Notably, the law allowed for the inclusion of black and colored sergeants and corporals, a pragmatic move driven by the shortage of white men. However, racial distinctions persisted, with black and colored members positioned on the left during parades. Despite these efforts, the tide of history was against the planters, as the anti-slavery movement in Britain gained momentum, making the abolition of slavery in the colonies inevitable.