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The Tobago Business Chamber has emphasized the need for the island to develop sustainable and profitable ventures beyond its annual October carnival to ensure consistent economic growth. The fourth edition of the festival, ‘Unveiled: Mud, Mas and Music,’ held from October 26-28, drew thousands of visitors, both local and international, and was hailed as the most successful iteration to date since its inception in 2022. However, in a WhatsApp voice note on November 6, Martin George, the chamber’s chairman, highlighted the limitations of relying solely on a seasonal event for financial gains. He stressed that while the carnival is beginning to establish itself on the international stage, Tobago must diversify its tourism offerings to maintain year-round revenue streams. George pointed to Barbados as a model, citing its array of annual events such as the rum and food festival and Run Barbados, which attract tourists consistently. He also suggested that Tobago could capitalize on the growing trend of digital nomadism by improving its infrastructure, particularly high-speed Wi-Fi, to position itself as a paradise for remote workers. George urged stakeholders to adopt a more innovative and proactive approach, moving beyond complaints and creating opportunities to control their economic destiny. ‘Rather than coming with a begging bowl, we should be in control of the kitchen,’ he concluded, advocating for self-reliance and equitable distribution of resources.

The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has expressed cautious support for the government’s proposal to modernize the correctional system by demolishing existing prisons and constructing a centralized ‘justice centre’ in Tamana. POA President Gerald Gordon emphasized that while the initiative aligns with modernization goals, it must be approached with careful planning, robust research, and genuine consultation with frontline officers. Speaking to Newsday on November 7, Gordon highlighted potential benefits such as standardized services and improved infrastructure but warned of significant logistical, financial, and operational risks. He stressed that the proposal lacks demonstrated practicality and feasibility studies, particularly given the unique distribution of the prison population and the challenges of centralizing operations. Gordon outlined concerns including increased commute distances for officers, reduced family access for inmates, and potential security vulnerabilities. He also noted that international best practices are shifting away from mega-facilities toward smaller, specialized campuses. The POA supports integrating modern technologies like AI surveillance and biometric access but insists that any reform must prioritize officer well-being, rehabilitation services, and local context. Gordon described the proposed mid-2026 construction timeline as overly ambitious and called for comprehensive feasibility studies, stakeholder consultations, and phased implementation to ensure operational continuity. He reiterated the POA’s readiness to contribute to meaningful dialogue, emphasizing that successful reform must be evidence-based, economically sound, and designed with the realities of the correctional system in mind.

In a significant move to modernize its correctional system, Trinidad and Tobago has announced a comprehensive prison overhaul as part of the government’s TT Revitalisation Blueprint. Prisons Commissioner Hayden Forde expressed optimism about the initiative, which includes the construction of a state-of-the-art justice centre in Tamana. This new facility will consolidate inmates from the Port of Spain prison, Golden Grove prison in Arouca, and Carrera Island prison, with a capacity to house up to 6,000 inmates—nearly double the current national prison population of 3,300. The project aims to address long-standing issues of overcrowding, outdated infrastructure, and security vulnerabilities. Forde highlighted the challenges faced by prison officers due to inadequate facilities and emphasized that the new complex will be equipped with advanced security measures to combat contraband trafficking, drone intrusions, and other persistent problems. He also underscored the importance of separating inmates based on the severity of their offenses, with a dedicated section for minor offenders such as those convicted of failing to pay child maintenance. While acknowledging logistical challenges in relocating inmates and staff, Forde downplayed concerns, noting that inmate transfers are a routine part of prison operations. He also pointed out that the new facility’s location will reduce commuting time for officers, improving their work-life balance. The project, which involved consultations with key stakeholders, is expected to address staffing shortages through targeted recruitment and training programs. Forde remains hopeful that the prison service will be fully staffed by the time the facility is completed, marking a transformative step in the nation’s correctional system.