Too many in prison on remand, says Governor
As concerns continue to grow over the budding inmate population at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) at Balsam Ghut, Governor John Rankin has once again restated his belief that there are far too many persons on remand at the facility.
While responding to a question from the media on efforts his office were taking to bolster the judicial system, the governor stressed the importance of a robust judicial system in the overall process of maintaining law and order.
And while insisting that there is independence of the judiciary from the executive and legislative branches of government, the Governor assured residents that his office is working to streamline the efficiency of the courts.
“We are working with the judiciary on speeding up the criminal processes because they can take longer than they should do,” Governor Rankin said. “And we’ve got rather too many people in the prison on remand awaiting trial.”
In light of this, the Governor shared that he is set to hold discussions with relevant parties to devise an effective strategy for achieving these objectives. He said persons should have their cases dealt with whether they are guilty or not guilty and this should form part of the overall strategy.
Governor Rankin conceded that there is always more that can be done to not only improve the justice system, but also to reduce the importation of drugs and guns.
Meanwhile, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has been provided with resources based on requests they made. “We’ve tried our best to satisfy as many of those requests as possible. But I’m sure, as the Governor has said, there’s always more that needs to be done,” the Premier stated.
Dr Wheatley promised to have continued dialogue with the DPP’s Office about their specific needs and said resources have been provided for both past investigations and ongoing investigations in an effort to strengthen the resources of the Office.
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Well,with the rise of crime worldwide, the prison population will continue to grown. The main purpose should be to lower the crime rate and come up with better gun laws.
Whilst I know that the Governor likes the DPP because she does what he tells her to do, he must appreciate that she is hopelessly out of her depth and should get back to prosecuting unrestored Ted defendants in the Magistrates Court.
We need a new DPP ASAP.
Why do we keep expecting criminals to care about gun laws? Only law abiding citizens care about the law. That is why the crime is getting worse, we aren’t addressing the real problem. Let some police and business owners have legal gun and permit to stand their ground and watch the crime rate drop fast.
Interesting last paragraph…the DPP made it clear that her Department does not do investigations. Therefore she could not take action against those conducting the Commission of Inquiry who were breaching our laws, with respect to work permits and being called to the local bar.
All this governor does is look for every problem he could find in the BVI and name them in the public domain except when it involves, he and his Uk Commissioner of police who causes most of these issues, especially in this case as they arrest without enough information to allow the DPP to adequately do their job in a timely manner. Tired of this man now.
Wholeheartedly agree with you on that point.
The new judge needs to step up to the plate as well. Every week in the Criminal Court all you have is REPORTING matters, no trials going on, and the same matters coming back for reporting each week. There are so many matters that can be prosecuted and they are not, while accused persons are languishing in jail for years.
It got man up there in the prison with phone posting things on the regular. What kind of prison is that.
Transfer the excess prisoners to the large prisons in Central and South America.
Look! The issue lies with the Office of the DPP and the Police. Case files are sent to the DPP by the Police for review and guidance from the DPP. The DPP takes several month to provide feedback, sometimes close to a year which causes a delay in the police investigation and the prosecution, the result of which are delayed trials.
A functioning Office of DPP is essential to a functioning Justice system. Truth be told, the current DPP is extremely weak and is clearly in over her head. The office need to be expanded. Above all we need a competent DPP. Sadly, the only viable alternative now is the appointment of a highly skilled and experience Deputy DPP and at least 3 additional highly competent principle Counsels with experience in drug matters etc.
But Governor why are you all so dam wicked. You know the reason why this is so. The reason is because the Director of Public Prosecution is not doing it’s job and you know that. So do what you are suppose to do and stop pretending.
Bring in a team from the UK for six months to assist in clearing the backlog, that will be the litmus test on whether the local establishment are competent.
Only now he wake up? Chupes
Nothing will change. People have their personal agenda.
No trial for more than 4 months.
DPPs office changing prosecutors every 3 months by the twos amd threes
Yes. So true Governor. And they are there by our own people who seem to be having joy and pleasure in sending them and keeping them there.Then they say the white man is the oppressor. However. I will say this to you Mr. Gov.You like talking, you see and know of all the problems you possessed the power to fix them but all we get is talk. Time for action..
A carpenter often has the worst house, a shoemaker too often has the worse shoes, for they are busy taking care of others. The Governor find faults the wrongs with the local government but he is immune from faults in areas under his purview. He got preferential treatment in the CoI for areas under his control which were /are riddled with challenges. Might is right. White is right. Justice delayed is justice denied. With persons serving years on remand, they are convicted and serving time without due process. Is the rule of law which is often hailed as the hallmark of the justice system. Do people not giving a rat’s ass because the majority of people on remand are of African descendants? Does not Black Lives Matter? Do blacks not deserve equal justice?
Does not Black Lives Matter?
Do blacks not deserve equal justice?
Ask those two questions to whites in America, UK, Europe and or Australia and else where, what answer will do you think will be forth coming from the majority, say 9 of 10?
Well, be not surprised such research is already out there and well hidden. Hidden because of the shamefulness of the results.
Indeed, 9/10 whites world wide do not believe and are adament that Black lives do not matter. That is the world in which we livein, where we Black people are seen as less than humans.
Moreover, the same 9 out 10 white people do not believe that Black people deserve to have equal justice. The number goes up to 9 out of 10 in South Africa especially.
Naturally, we live in a world still, where a Back life is viewed as less than a white life, whichexplains the desparity in all areas of existence oflife, economics, health care etc.. When will racism end?
Absolute bull pi** – send the links of your research to support your own racist made up facts. 9 out of 10 my as**.
Mean while these police out here locking up people for not wearing seatbelt.
Also the police need to acquire all the specific evidence before the come charge people and send to prison
Get an efficient DPP then and only then will you get results. The position and power has gone to her head.