Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 11, 2015 (SKNIS): An initiative geared towards effectively and efficiently curbing the rise of crime was witnessed today, Wednesday, November 11, as the Ministry of National Security officially launched the Criminal Justice Strategic Board (CJSB) during a ceremony at the Police Training Complex in Basseterre.
Mr. Osmond Petty, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, reiterated the point that the CJSB is part of the Six Point Plan, which was implemented in June of this year by the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF).
“The establishment of the Criminal Justice Strategic Board is an activity mentioned in the Police Six Point Plan but obviously this is not something that the police alone would be implementing, as it is part of the big picture in terms of what is being done,” said the permanent secretary, adding that through collaboration with other agencies, the CJSB was established to develop protocol to the judiciary, to ensure that backlogs of certain cases are disposed of in a timely manner in order to bring perpetrators to justice speedily and enforce curfews.
Mr. Petty applauded the Bramshill Policing Advisers and other stakeholders who contributed greatly to development of the CJSB.
Sirah Abraham, Criminal Justice Advisor to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, congratulated the Government for launching the Board and said it is one of the most important steps to criminal justice reform.
“Internationally, Criminal Justice Strategic Boards have been recognized as establishing a whole system approach to tackling issues in the criminal justice board,” she said. “They overcome operational barriers and ensure that the country’s criminal justice system can work effectively. Across the world these boards have managed to reduce crime, reduce re-offending punished offenders, increase public confidence and ensure that a country has a fair criminal justice system which delivers justice for the victim of crime and protects the public.”
She pointed out that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), herself and Dave King, Bramshill Policing Adviser, are willing to assist the Government in establishing various programmes that would be beneficial to the citizens, residents and the Federation on a whole. Such programmes include, witness protection, a serious crime court, special measures for witnesses and criminal procedures roles to help reduce the delays in court.
An important aspect of the launch was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the members, committing themselves to the work and responsibilities of the CJSB.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, the Honourable Vincent Byron, Attorney General and Chairman of the CJSB, members of the board, members of the Police High Command, Dave King and Steve France-Sargeant of Bramshill Policing Advisers Ltd in the United Kingdom, other invited guest and members of the media.
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