On Wednesday, St. Kitts & Nevis made history when it became the first country in the OECS to launch the Criminal Justice Strategic Board.
That Board was launched during a ceremony at the Police Training Complex where the country’s Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris issued the instruments of appointment to the 15 members.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Osmond Petty said “the CJSB is dedicated to keeping people safe,” adding that it will also aim to “reduce and prevent crime, bring offenders to justice, re-integrate offenders into society at a lower risk of re-offending, and utilize its shared resourced efficiently and in the Federation’s best interest.”
Chairing that Board is Attorney general, Hon. Vincent Byron Jr.
Other members are Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Arudranauth Gossai, Superintendent of Prisons Ashiela Connor, Commander of the Defence force Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Wallace, Director of the New Horizons Rehabilitation Center Adel Williams, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley, Debra Matthew who is the Director of Probation and Child Protection Services, Jacqueline Somersall-Berry of the Financial Intelligent Unit, Chief Education Officer Dr. Tricia Esdaille, Chief Fire Officer Everette O’Garro and Comptroller of Customs Georid Belle.
Representing the Nevis Island Administration on the Board are former Police Officer Lynel Nolan, lawyer Heidi Sutton, Head of Security at the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority David Hendrickson and Police Prosecutor Inspector Stephen Hector.
Sirah Abraham, who is a Criminal Justice Advisor and works with the US Embassy and British High Commission, was instrumental in the Board’s set up.
While speaking to ZIZ news, she congratulated the Government on taking what is described as a “bold step” in the criminal justice reform.
Meanwhile NRP Senator Carlysle Powell is taking the Government of Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris to task for this appointment of the Board of Security at the Nevis Air & Sea Ports Authority, David Hendrickson on the Criminal Justice Strategic Board.
The board which was launched by the country’s Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris, is headed by Attorney General Vincent Byron Jr and includes representatives from the security forces, the Attorney General’s office, protection services and the Nevis Island Administration.
Senator Powell told freedom Fm Newsdesk that the appointment makes a mockery of the criminal justice system.
Powell claims that David Hendrickson was being investigated by the Former SKN Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Sinanan for alleged financial malpractice and money laundering, and to put him on a Board which seeks to reduce and prevent and bring criminals to justice smacks of graft and corruption.