Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Fewer inmate, detainee deaths last year

    Fewer inmate, detainee deaths last year

    Jamaica’s Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has documented a significant reduction in custodial fatalities during 2025, with 22 deaths recorded across prisons and police detention facilities. This represents a notable decrease from the 32 deaths documented in the previous year.

    Historical data spanning 2021-2025 reveals 116 total custodial deaths, with prisons accounting for 74 cases and police lock-ups responsible for 42 fatalities. The Tower Street Adult Correctional Center reported the highest incidence with 44 deaths, followed by St. Catherine Adult Correctional Center (17) and Tamarind Farm facility (11).

    Deputy Commissioner Yanique Taylor Wellington attributed most deaths to natural causes while acknowledging ongoing examinations into alleged medical negligence. Although suicides and homicides contributed to the mortality figures, Wellington emphasized that insufficient evidence exists to conclude systematic mishandling caused the fatalities.

    The commissioner highlighted persistent institutional challenges, particularly regarding overcrowding in police detention facilities. She noted correctional officers frequently lack adequate training and resources to properly care for detainees with chronic medical conditions, potentially delaying critical treatment and affecting health outcomes.

    While no criminal charges were filed relating to 2025 custodial deaths, INDECOM continues investigating allegations of medical attention failures. The commission operates under statutory mandate requiring automatic investigation of all custody-related deaths and injuries pursuant to Section 11 of the INDECOM Act.

    Wellington reinforced urgent calls for addressing systemic issues in the new year, stating: “Lock-ups cannot provide requisite medical attention, particularly when overcrowded. Continuing to detain medically vulnerable individuals in such conditions contradicts national progress aspirations.”

  • Shelters across Jamaica to be improved

    Shelters across Jamaica to be improved

    KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaican government has initiated a comprehensive national program to upgrade emergency shelters and reinforce disaster preparedness infrastructure before the approaching 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. This decisive action follows critical assessments revealing systemic vulnerabilities exposed during Hurricane Melissa in October of last year.

    Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, announced that enhancing the condition, safety, and operational readiness of shelters is now a paramount priority. The minister’s statements came during a site visit to the new infirmary in Falmouth, Trelawny, on January 15, where he emphasized the urgent need for improvements.

    Minister McKenzie revealed plans to convene a high-level strategic meeting within the next fortnight, bringing together key agencies including the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Social Development Commission (SDC), and municipal corporations. This collaborative effort will conduct an extensive evaluation of existing shelter infrastructure across the island nation.

    The ministerial agenda will focus on identifying structurally sound facilities, determining necessary repairs, and planning potential replacements. The SDC has already completed a nationwide survey of community centers, many of which are candidates for conversion and remodeling into certified emergency shelters.

    Concurrently, the ministry has finalized a damage assessment of municipal infrastructure—including markets and cemeteries—that suffered impacts during recent extreme weather events. Minister McKenzie indicated that a detailed submission will be presented to the Cabinet, outlining the full scope of required repairs and necessary upgrades. He acknowledged that addressing the widespread damage and fortifying the nation’s infrastructure will demand substantial budgetary allocation.

  • Holness urges vigilance against exploitation of ROOFS programme

    Holness urges vigilance against exploitation of ROOFS programme

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued a stern public warning to citizens applying for the government’s hurricane relief housing program, alerting them to sophisticated scams that seek to exploit vulnerable beneficiaries. The caution was delivered during the official launch of the Shelter Recovery Programme (SRP) at the Office of the Prime Minister on January 15.

    The Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) initiative, a cornerstone of the SRP, offers tiered financial grants of J$75,000, J$200,000, and J$500,000 to homeowners based on the assessed damage from recent hurricanes. With an initial funding pool of J$10 billion, the program is designed to restore safe and habitable living conditions for those affected.

    In his address, Prime Minister Holness highlighted the growing threat of fraudsters using advanced technological means, including artificial intelligence, to create deceptive scenarios. He specifically warned against intermediaries falsely offering to ‘help’ citizens secure the grants for a fee. “We have to be absolutely careful that there is no hijacking of a programme like this,” Holness stated, emphasizing that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is the sole administrator of the grants and does not employ any external agents or intermediaries.

    Eligibility for the ROOFS program requires official assessment and verification by the Ministry. To streamline this process, a self-reporting tool has been introduced, allowing citizens to alert the ministry directly and expedite damage assessments. The first grant disbursements are scheduled to begin by the end of January.

    The government urges all applicants to disregard any unsolicited offers of assistance on social media or in person and to report such attempts directly to the authorities.

  • Primary Schools’ Panorama champs unseated

    Primary Schools’ Panorama champs unseated

    In a stunning upset at the National Primary Schools’ Panorama competition, St Margaret’s Boys’ Anglican School unseated defending champions San Fernando Boys’ RC School with a commanding 14-point victory. The young musicians scored 279 points with their performance of Voice’s “Year for Love,” marking a significant shift in the competitive steelpan landscape.

    The former champions, San Fernando Boys’ RC School’s Sando Boys’ Steel, placed third with 265 points for their rendition of Explainer’s “Lorraine,” narrowly edged out of second position by Febeau Government Primary School, which scored 266 points with Voice’s “Too Own Way.”

    The event, historically held at Queen’s Park Savannah, made its debut at Skinner Park in San Fernando—a move described as historic by officials. San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris endorsed the relocation, calling it a decision that “made sense” and pledging continued support for initiatives benefiting children.

    Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath emphasized during the opening ceremony that participation itself constituted victory for students, tutors, teachers, and parents. “Even though you are competing, you’re making history,” he stated. “Not only by performing in an event in a historic location, but students, you are carrying forward a legacy that belongs to all of us in TT.”

    Gwyneth Morris-Alexander, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, highlighted the cultural significance of the steel pan as “a powerful symbol of the country’s resilience and creativity.” She told participants, “As you perform today, know that you’re not only competing, you are preserving a legacy and shaping our future.”

    Minister Dowlath further articulated the educational value of music, noting its role in strengthening critical thinking, improving literacy, and building discipline and teamwork. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to expanding arts education.

    The complete results showed St Paul’s Anglican Primary (262 points), Guaico Presbyterian School (257 points), and Escallier Anglican Primary (254 points) rounding out the top contenders in the fiercely contested musical celebration.

  • Archbishop wants laws to protect children: ‘Social media more addictive than alcohol’

    Archbishop wants laws to protect children: ‘Social media more addictive than alcohol’

    In a groundbreaking appeal, Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon has called for comprehensive legislation to shield children from social media’s addictive dangers, drawing parallels to substance abuse regulations. Speaking at a January 19 press conference, the religious leader emphasized that digital platforms are deliberately engineered to foster dependency through sophisticated algorithms.

    Archbishop Gordon’s proposal directly references Australia’s pioneering ban prohibiting children under 16 from accessing major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. His intervention comes just two days after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced sweeping age restriction reforms for alcohol, cannabis, and gambling activities.

    The Australian model—currently under global scrutiny—represents the world’s first comprehensive youth social media prohibition. Under these regulations, minors cannot establish new accounts while existing profiles face deactivation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s administration justifies this radical measure based on government-commissioned research revealing alarming statistics: 96% of Australian children aged 10-15 actively use social media, with 70% exposed to harmful content including violence, misogyny, and self-harm promotion.

    Archbishop Gordon specifically praised Trinidad and Tobago’s recent disciplinary measures, including increased traffic fines and the proposed age restriction hikes. ‘We have become an undisciplined society,’ Gordon observed, characterizing these policy shifts as crucial ‘national building levers’ rather than mere revenue-generation tactics.

    The proposed Trinidadian legislation would mirror Australia’s three-pronged criteria for identifying regulated platforms: services primarily facilitating online social interaction, enabling user-to-user communication, and allowing content posting capabilities. This framework potentially affects ten major platforms currently accessible without restrictions in the Caribbean nation.

    Gordon’s endorsement adds significant moral weight to the government’s broader protective agenda, creating unusual alignment between religious and governmental institutions on public welfare policy. The archbishop’s characterization of social media as ‘more addictive than alcohol’ echoes recent Congressional testimony from tech executives acknowledging their platforms’ dependency-building design philosophies.

  • Gedenkboek 75e geboortedag Bram Behr (1951-1982)

    Gedenkboek 75e geboortedag Bram Behr (1951-1982)

    A poignant tribute unfolded as Henry Does presented the first copies of the memorial publication “BRAM BEHR – A Working Class Hero Is Something to Be” to the children of the late Surinamese activist on what would have been his 75th birthday. The commemorative work emerged from a deeply personal request by Vladi, Behr’s youngest son, who sought photographs of his father who was tragically executed at age 31 during Suriname’s December Murders of 1982.

    The publication’s title draws inspiration from contributor Wim Bakker’s recollection of their 1970s collaboration producing the progressive publication Rode Surinamer. Bakker reveals how John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero” became their anthem, with its resonant chorus line ultimately providing the volume’s thematic foundation. “We had no idea then that this song was about him,” Bakker reflects.

    Ronald Snijders contributes musical memories of Behr’s dedication as first violinist in the Volksmuziekschool Youth Orchestra, where his exceptional talent rapidly elevated him to concertmaster position. Snijders expresses profound shock at Behr’s eventual fate, noting that while the activist fiercely opposed injustice, he never employed physical violence.

    The work contains particularly moving historical documentation, including Rita Rahman’s account of the journalistic solidarity between Behr and Leslie Rahman (another December Murders victim). She reproduces Behr’s heartbreaking April 25, 1982 letter to his nine-year-old son Raoul, written during imprisonment: “Those naughty soldiers put me in a dark cell for eight days, just like a thief. It wasn’t pleasant, but every day I thought of you. And of all the children outside who are hungry and poor.”

    Personal testimonies continue with Marjan Markelo’s remembrance of Behr as her mathematics teacher in Moengo, describing his transformative pedagogical approach that encouraged critical inquiry and looking beyond surface appearances. Former AMS director and teacher Ronald Venetiaan contributes a powerful closing message urging Behr’s descendants to preserve his positive militant spirit while contextualizing his communist ideals within Suriname’s complex political landscape.

    The memorial volume features extensive photographic documentation alongside contributions from numerous intellectuals and activists, concluding with a solemn memorial page honoring all fifteen victims of the December 8, 1982 executions.

  • Road Upgrade Underway on Jennings Extension Road

    Road Upgrade Underway on Jennings Extension Road

    The Ministry of Works in Antigua and Barbuda has announced significant progress on its comprehensive infrastructure modernization initiative, with current construction activities concentrated along the Jennings Extension Road corridor leading to Hermitage Bay. This strategic development forms an integral component of a broader, island-wide program designed to revolutionize transportation networks throughout the nation.

    Engineering teams are executing substantial enhancements to both drainage infrastructure and road surfacing, implementing advanced engineering solutions to elevate safety protocols and travel efficiency. These improvements specifically target the reduction of flood risks and vehicular wear-and-tear, ultimately benefiting both local residents and international visitors accessing the picturesque Hermitage Bay region.

    Government officials have issued formal requests for patience and cooperation from motorists and community members affected by temporary disruptions along the construction route. The Ministry emphasizes that these short-term inconveniences will yield long-term advantages, including reduced maintenance costs and improved emergency vehicle access.

    This project underscores the administration’s dedicated commitment to developing climate-resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events. The Jennings Extension Road upgrade establishes a new benchmark for future infrastructure projects across Antigua and Barbuda, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to sustainable development and community connectivity.

  • ‘Jail is hell,’ says soca artiste who did time for robbery

    ‘Jail is hell,’ says soca artiste who did time for robbery

    Bradley “Party Dawg” Huggins, a soca musician whose rising career was abruptly interrupted by incarceration, has delivered a powerful cautionary message about prison life following his recent release. The artist, who served over six years for a 2015 armed robbery conviction, characterized correctional facilities as places of unending torment where basic comforts and genuine human connections are scarce.

    Huggins described the brutal reality of incarceration in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, revealing that prisoners endure overcrowded cells housing up to nine inmates in confined spaces. The daily routine involves minimal nutrition—primarily consisting of what he termed “the national dish in jail”: rice and stewed chicken—and limited recreational time. He detailed how inmates typically receive bread with tea for breakfast, the ubiquitous rice dishes for lunch, and light evening meals accompanied by herbal tea.

    The artist revealed that survival in prison requires adopting protective personas, noting that “everybody wearing some kind of mask” and genuine relationships are rare. He explained that marijuana serves as a coping mechanism for many inmates, while interactions are often transactional rather than authentic. Huggins admitted to learning how to “become a snake” to navigate this dangerous environment where insincerity prevails.

    Despite these challenges, Huggins found opportunities for personal growth through reading and reflection. He emphasized his determination to avoid reoffending, citing parental responsibilities toward his 11-year-old daughter as primary motivation. The artist maintained communication with his daughter throughout his sentence using contraband cell phones, demonstrating his commitment to remaining present in her life.

    Huggins acknowledged his personal responsibility in the robbery incident while noting that peer influence and alcohol contributed to his poor decision-making. He expressed no bitterness toward his accomplices, revealing that both have reformed their lives since release—one operating a taxi business and the other abandoning previous negative behaviors.

    The musician confirmed plans to revitalize his music career, with new recordings expected for the 2026 Vincymas celebrations. During his incarceration, prison authorities had permitted him recording studio access, indicating institutional recognition of his artistic potential. Huggins concluded that while prison constituted a “very rough experience,” it provided invaluable lessons about personal accountability and life priorities.

  • Nursing education is failing us all

    Nursing education is failing us all

    A group of nursing students has come forward with devastating allegations against their educational institution, describing a six-year ordeal characterized by systemic exploitation, psychological abuse, and institutional failure. What began as hopeful pursuit of medical careers has transformed into what they describe as an oppressive system designed to break rather than educate future healthcare professionals.

    The students detail a pattern of being used to address hospital staffing shortages without adequate training or support, then being blamed when they struggled under the overwhelming pressure. They report facing intimidation, humiliation, and unexplained failures despite their dedication to the profession. The most alarming revelation is a claimed 100% failure rate that should have prompted institutional accountability but instead resulted in retaliation against those seeking answers.

    Communication breakdowns form a central part of their grievances, with exam results allegedly delayed for months without justification. The students characterize this silence as a deliberate control mechanism rather than an administrative necessity. Many report severe mental health consequences, including sleep disturbances, financial strain, and difficulty providing for their families while carrying the psychological weight of their educational experience.

    In a warning to prospective students, they describe the environment as ‘cult-like’ where submission is valued over competence and fear dominates over learning. Despite these challenges, the students emphasize their continued commitment to nursing as their ultimate calling, while calling for fundamental reform in how educational institutions treat those entering care professions.

  • VSB bespreekt toenemende criminaliteit met minister Monorath

    VSB bespreekt toenemende criminaliteit met minister Monorath

    Business representatives from the Suriname Trade and Industry Association (VSB) have held urgent consultations with Justice and Police Minister Harish Monorath to address the country’s worsening security crisis. The meeting was prompted by alarming reports from VSB members indicating a sharp increase in violent robberies targeting retailers, distribution companies, and other high-risk enterprises.

    During the high-level discussions, VSB officials emphasized that armed robberies and violent incidents are causing substantial financial losses while simultaneously undermining Suriname’s investment climate and threatening employment stability. According to the association’s bulletin Nieuwslijn, both business owners and employees increasingly feel unsafe while conducting their professional activities.

    The business association advocated for immediate, tangible security measures within a clear legal framework to enable better protection of personnel and commercial operations. VSB leadership stressed the critical importance of establishing structured collaboration between the Justice Ministry, security services, and private sector entities. Proposed solutions included developing joint action plans for specific districts and enhancing information sharing mechanisms.

    Minister Monorath acknowledged the necessity of business community participation in combating criminal activities. Both parties expressed commitment to intensifying their dialogue and developing a coordinated strategy to reduce crime rates and enhance security measures for businesses and society overall. They agreed to continue discussions in the immediate future to formalize this collaborative approach.