Caribbean Prison Chiefs discuss strategies to manage inmates

St. Kitts and Nevis Superintendent of Prison, Mr. Franklyn Dorsett (sixth from the left) and other other delegates at The Association of Caribbean Heads of Corrections and Prisons Services Fourth Annual Conference, official opening ceremony on Monday, June 21, 2010 at SuperClubs Breezes (BIS Photo/Kris Ingraham)

ST. KITTS, JUNE 22, 2010 (CUOPM) – Superintendent of Her Majesty’s Prison, Mr. Franklyn Dorset and other members of the Association of Caribbean Heads of Corrections and Prison Services (ACHCPS) are devising strategies to change the way inmates are managed upon incarceration.

This is amongst issues being addressed at the Fourth Annual Conference of the Association of Caribbean Heads of Corrections and Prison Services, under the theme: ‘Meeting the Challenges of Corrections in 2010 and Beyond: A Caribbean Perspective,” at SuperClubs Breezes from June 19-25, 2010.

According to the Bahamas Weekly, the mission of ACHCPS is to “promote the professional development of all personnel involved in the various facets of corrections; striving also to ensure that the best policies and procedures are in place to meet the needs of correctional/prison environment in individual countries and the region as a whole.”The areas identified for particular focus during the conference are strengthening of laws, polices and principles, and to bring about institutional and other change.

Other initiatives are to build and maintain productive and effective networks and partnerships, both regionally and internationally, which the ACHCPS advocates.

Bahamas Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Brent Symonette in his Keynote Address on Monday said the conference is important to maintaining the momentum of the regional association, formed four years ago.

He said however that the association has made steady progress in an area of critical concern for the region, as its approach is evident from the overall theme of the weeklong conclave.

“The objectives that your association has set for itself, and for this conference, will undoubtedly further the longstanding strategic and cooperative relationships among Caribbean states, particularly in the context of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),”

The opening ceremony was also addressed by Dr Elliston Rahming, Superintendent of Prisons and Conference Host and Chairman of the Education Committee, ACHCPS; Dale Erskine, Secretary, ACHCPA; and John Rougier, Commissioner, Trinidad & Tobago Prison Service and President of ACHCPS.Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes lead the list of dignitaries, consisting of Secretary to the Cabinet Anita Bernard; senior officials from the uniform branches, and delegates from the member countries.Other countries present include Antigua & Barbuda, Belize, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & The Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago.