BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE September 2012 Criminal Assizes officially closed on Thursday (Dec. 13), and during its closure Chief Prison Officer Alton Liburd reported that there are 373 persons behind bars at both Prisons in St. Kitts and Nevis.
He reported that there was a decrease of 20 inmates when compared to the reported 393 persons behind bars at the end of the May 2012 Criminal Assizes.
In presenting the Prison Delivery, Liburd said there are 370 males and three females housed in both prisons.
He said that there are 321 males at Her Majesty's Prison in St. Kitts, 48 at the Prison Farm in Nevis, one male at the Cardin Home and three females at the Basseterre facility.
One hundred and seventy-three males and one female were convicted at the High Court level, 75 males and one female were convicted at the Magistrate Court's level, 48 males are awaiting trial at the Magistrate Court's level and a similar amount are awaiting trial at the High Court level.
Additionally, two males are awaiting sentencing, one male awaiting his appeal and one male is a debtor.
Four males and one female are at HPM "at the Queen's pleasure", while one male is a prohibited immigrant, having entered the Federation illegally.
A lone male is condemned and awaiting his date of execution.
Liburd also informed that the HMP provides educational classes on a regular basis with 31 subject interests.
He revealed that 13 inmates are scheduled to write their CXC examinations in January 2013.
Following the Delivery, Justice Errol Thomas, while thanking the jury for their service, said that they served well as jurors and were quite respectful to the Court.
"I wish to commend you...I hope you are able to take some of what you have learned as jurors away with you," he said.
He urged them to try to understand the fundamental nature of the role of a juror as it is "a serious undertaking to sit and pass judgement".
"This role you perform is for your country," the judge told the jurors.
He ended by thanking all other officers of the Court, including Prison Officers, Bailiffs, Probation Officers, Court Administrators and Counsels on both sides.
The next Criminal Assizes is expected to begin in January 2013.
