Home Affairs Minister Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte has spoken of reducing the recidivism rate at the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF).
Recidivism refers to a person’s relapse into criminal behaviour, after receiving sanctions or undergoing intervention for a previous crime.
According to available statistics, two out of every five inmates the BCF releases return to the facility.
“We have to reduce that percentage that people don’t see that as another home for them, and when you release them from prison, they feel they are better taken care of here than in the wider society,” the Home Affairs Minister stated.
The BCF currently houses 572 inmates, including five juveniles.
The Minister disclosed a discussion with the visiting justices regarding a halfway house to assist inmates in returning to society, especially after serving a lengthy jail term.
Albert-Poyotte told reporters that would help reduce recidivism.
She spoke amid plans for BCF ‘ Inmate Family Day’, the aim of which is to ensure the rehabilitation of inmates.
On August 6 th, 2023, children will receive the opportunity to reestablish the connection with incarcerated parents to encourage positive behavioral changes in the push to reduce recidivism.
The Inmate Family Day theme is: ‘Reuniting Families, Restoring Bonds for Reintegration.’
According to Clinical Social Worker Mrs. Melissa Dupres- Roserie such activities remain critical to the overall goal of reintegrating inmates as productive members of society.
Re Article.. It’s cheaper for these to be in prison.
Free Food.
Free lodging
Free meditation opportunity.
Free Medical.
The justice system needs an urgent attention
Our entire system needs revamped ASAP
Too many of our young Boys are in prison..
But desicion ever.
No matter what
They are still Parents
Give them something to go back home too
You got elected in office for the past 2 years yet still refuse to enact a minimum wage. There are young men who prefer to be in prison to get food to eat than to be out
I believe that mental illness is on the back burner in St. Lucia. Some folk at BCF should instead be receiving mental health and counseling in a different facility. Because of its stigma; and the pride which most St. Lucians possess it is often unaddressed.
In addition, with the high percentage of individuals who practice and believe in obeah/voodoo mental illness is viewed as “someone did him or her something”
The level of ignorance of some St. Lucians is alarming. In addition, folk believe that the government should buy their kids (which they decided to have and can not afford) school books. Government should give them land to build their homes and give them food….folk in St. Lucia see their government as social service to solve problems which they created for themselves and that’s unrealistic to normal functioning individuals. Everyone will reap as he or she has sowed, therefore live within your means and work with what you have and don’t have kids you can not afford to care for because the government is not your kids parents.
Some of you just to fit in will buy a carnival costume instead of school supplies …you guys need serious help with your priorities.