Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698927340991.pdf (Trinidad and Tobago)
Ministry of National Security’s Response to the 5th Report of the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights, Equality and Diversity on the Examination of the Human Rights of Remandees at Remand Prisons Report Ref.
Report Recommendation Response Objective 1 – To Determine the Treatment of the Remandees in Remand Prison 4.21 Pg.39 the development of re-entry The Committee recommends programmes to help the transitioning of remandees upon leaving the facility in the following areas: In reference to the development of re-entry programmes, the following information is available: - Addiction Therapy - Motivational Interviewing Counselling - Life Skills - Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy - Sports & Recreation - Preparation of Re-entry - Character First - Leading above the line  Addiction Therapy- None currently available  Motivational available Interviewing Counselling-None currently  Life Skills- None currently available  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy- in this area, the Prison Service currently offers the following: - Peace Education Programme - Mindful Mediation - Prisoner Journey These programmes also fall under spiritual development  Sports & Recreation- No formal sports or recreational programme is in place  Preparation of Re-entry- None currently available  Character First-None currently available  Leading above the line-None currently available The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service has recognized its deficiency in this area and steps are being taken to introduce programs that seek to address the criminogenic factors of the the Level Service Case remanded population.
As a result Management Inventory (LSCMI) tool is now being used to assess the remanded in programs.

The organization is also seeking to partner with its providers and its remanded stakeholders population.

to provide re-entry programs inmate before placement to Page 1 of 6 Report Ref.
4.22 Pg.39 Report Recommendation Response The Committee recommends that upon entry to a remand facility, remandees are assessed to determine the skill and educational level in order for immediate placement in educational programmes recognised by the Ministry of Education that can be continued upon release from remand.
The Prison Service is currently working with the Correctional Service Canada to develop and procure actuarial and analytical tools so that all inmates will be assessed upon entry to the Prison.

However the Programmes Department has begun to use the Level Service Case Management Inventory (LSCMI) assessment tool to determine the criminogenic needs of the Remanded inmates selected to undertake programs.

4.23 Pg.
4.23 Pg.

39 The Committee recommends that pre-trial management and re- entry training is provided to the staff of the remand facilities in order to improve the management of remandees.

Staff have been trained in areas such as managing correctional programmes, motivational interviewing etc.

however this is not specifically geared toward the management of Remandees, it is geared toward the management of all of our charges.

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4.24 Pg.

39 The Committee that a system/procedure be developed to counteract the victimisation that may occur due to a remandee utilising the complaints system.

recommends This is to be referred to the Policy Development Committee for drafting 4.25 Pg.39 The Committee recommends that a limit be placed on the number of remandees in the holding cell at the Remand Prison, Golden Grove, based on international best practices.
By way of Cabinet Minute #1485 of August 17 2017, the government approved the Upgrade of the Electrical and Mechanical Systems of the Remand Prison, Golden Grove, Arouca.

This upgrade will effectively reduce the cell capacity to no more than three (3) inmates which will be in keeping with international best practices.

4.26 Pg.
4.26 Pg.

40 The Committee recommends that a radio wireless transmission be installed in communal areas at the Remand Section of the Women’s Prison, Golden Grove, the Remand Prison, Golden Grove and the Remand Yard, Port-of-Spain Prison for remandees to be regularly informed of current national affairs during fiscal 2018.

Every institution is outfitted with commercial radios which allow the inmates to be informed of current national affairs.
However, the radio system at Port of Spain Prison may have to be replaced as it is currently out of order and has been found to be obsolete.

Based on allocations for the 2017/18 fiscal this may not be possible during this period.

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40 4.28 Pg.

40 Report Recommendation Response The Committee recommends that the TTPrS establish the Mediation and Conflict Management Unit (MC-MU) during fiscal 2018.
A Mediation and Conflict Management Unit was formally established on March 16, 2017.

The TTPrS is currently engaged in the process of staffing this Unit.

The Committee recommends that the Strategic Plan for the Remand Prison be finalised by the Ministry of National Security and begin implementation by September 2018.
The attached plan entitled Re-designation of the Maximum Security Prison A measure designed to treat with overcrowding at the Remand Prison, Golden Grove was submitted to the Ministry of National Security on November 21, 2017, for consideration by the Minister.

4.29 Pg.

40 The Committee recommends that the MLSED and the Ministry of National Security collaborate to develop post-release employment programmes.

At present no plans have been developed for collaboration between the entities.

4.30 Pg.
4.30 Pg.

30 that recommends the TTPrS develop a The Committee computerised system containing information on inmates from adult prisons and juvenile detention centres to aid with the classification and separation of repeat remandees held on serious offences from the remandees held on minor offences or first time offender remandees.

A computerized system is currently being used by the Warrants department.
However, a more comprehensive system is bring created, with inbuilt access protocols to allow for ready access to relevant inmate information.

This is being undertaken by the ICT Unit.

the national Additionally, Information and Communication Technology Communication Technology Company Limited (iGovTT) has developed a Strategic ICT Roadmap for the TTPrS.

Once implemented, this will treat with all of the computerized systems within the organization.
A draft Cabinet Note is being prepared to be submitted to the Cabinet via the Ministry.

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40 The Committee recommends that additional persons from the TTPrS be given the training on the Use of Force of Policy during the fiscal year 2018.

Use Of Force Policy training with staff is continuously undertaken by the Prison Service and will continue into fiscal 2018.

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40 Report Recommendation Response The Committee recommends the creation of an implementation timetable for the separation of prisoners in accordance with Nelson Mandela Rule No.

11 by August 2018.

The TTPrS is already compliant with Nelson Mandela Rule No.11 Objective 2 – To examine the Physical Conditions of the Facilities at Remand Yard 4.49 Pg.
56 Given the durability of the stainless steels toilets at the Remand Prison, Golden Grove the Committee recommends that these toilets be installed at the Remand Section of the Women’s Prison and at Remand Yard of the Port-of-Spain Prison.

The TTPrS has not received the necessary funding in fiscal 2017/2018 to address this issue.

Consideration will be given in the budget submission for the next fiscal year.

4.50 Pg.
4.50 Pg.

56 The Committee recommends that the visitors’ area of the Remand Prison, the Remand Section of the Women’s Prison and Remand Section of the Maximum Security Prison in Golden Grove and the Remand Yard of the Port-of-Spain Prison are expanded to allow for more visitors.

Plans for the expansion of the visit area at Golden Grove were developed in 2014.

However due to the current financial constraints, this project is unable to be undertaken at this time.
Likewise, plans for the Refurbishment of the Pedestrian Entrance Port of Spain Prison (which included the reconfiguration of the visitor area) were previously approved and is supposed to be undertaken under the Infrastructural Development Fund (IDF).

However the Ministry of Finance has not allocate any funds in fiscal 2017/2018 for this project.

4.51 Pg.
4.51 Pg.

56 The Committee recommends the Insect and Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health provide monthly insect and vector checks at the Remand Prison, Golden Grove and Remand Yard of the Port-of-Spain Prison.

The Ministry of National Security has approved the award of a contract for the provision of monthly insect and vector checks at the Remand Prison, Golden Grove and Remand Yard of the Port-of- Spain Prison, along with all other prisons.
The TTPrS is awaiting the release of funds before the contract could be signed.

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56 The Committee recommends that the TTPrS provide cleaning equipment and detergents to remandees at the Remand Prison, Cleaning equipment and detergents are currently being distributed to the inmates in a rationed manner.

Page 4 of 6 Report Ref.

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56 Report Recommendation Response Golden Grove and Remand Yard of the Port-of-Spain Prison to sanitize their cells on a weekly basis.
The Committee recommends that two (2) additional dryers are purchased to meet the needs of the remand population at the remand prison in order to reduce the hanging of the remandees’ clothing along the central canopies located within the Remand Prison.

The TTPrS has not received the necessary budgetary allocations in the 2017/2018 fiscal to make this a reality in 2018.

4.54 Pg.
4.54 Pg.

56 The Committee recommends that the toilet facilities at the Remand Prison, Golden Grove be refurbished and the pail system in use at the facilities be eradicated by the implementation of the new system as approved by Cabinet.

This project is expected to begin in 2018 following the required engagement of NIPDEC as project managers.

4.55 Pg.
4.55 Pg.

56 The Committee recommends that the TTPrS recruit additional staff for the Remand Prison, Golden Grove in order to achieve the ideal ratio of officers to remandees of 1:6 and in accordance with the recommendation of the Remand Prison Administrative Report for 2015 which indicates to “increase the number of staffing at the institution” in Appendix VII.

One hundred and eighty-eight (188) recruits commenced training on October 02, 2017.
It is anticipated that an additional five hundred (500) persons would be recruited in 2018.

As a result, the staffing of the Remand would be appropriately increased.

Objective 3: To Evaluate the Implementation of Recommendations with respect to Remandee conditions at Remand Prison within the 2002 Final Report of the Cabinet Appointed Task Force on Prison Reform and 2013 Special Prisons Committee Report.

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4.65 Pg.

59 The Committee recommends that the Prison Rules be updated to include the best practices and procedures outlined in the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights (UNDHR) and the Nelson Mandela Rules and finalized during fiscal 2018.

The Draft Rules are currently being reviewed by the Prison Administration and is expected to be returned to the office of the Attorney General by the end of January 2018.

4.66 Pg.
4.66 Pg.

60 The Committee recommends that the electrical system of the Remand Prison, Golden Grove and the Remand Yard of the POS Prison be upgraded and in accordance with the recommendation of the Remand Prison Administrative Report for 2015, “ an overhaul of the lighting fixtures” be done and the authorities “install tamper proof lighting fixtures” in Appendix VII.

The electrical system at the Remand Prison, Golden Grove, is already being addressed by Cabinet Minute No.1485 of August 17, 2017.
Submissions for similar works at the Remand Section, Port of Spain Prison, would be included in the Draft Estimates for the 2018- 2019 fiscal.

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Report Recommendation Response 4.67 Pg.

60 The Committee recommends that the ventilation systems at the Remand Prison, Golden Grove, Remand Yard of the POS Prison and the remand facility of the Women’s Prison be upgraded to reduce the humidity experienced at these facilities.
Adequate ventilation systems have been installed at the Remand Yard Golden Grove.

Submissions for similar works at the Remand Section Port of Spain Prison and the Women’s Prison would be included in the Draft Estimates for the 2018/2019 fiscal year.

4.68 Pg.

60 The Committee recommends that the washers at the Remand Prison, Golden Grove be repaired immediately and two (2) additional dryers be purchased.

Repair works were undertaken and the units are fully functional.
No funding has been received in fiscal 2017/2018 for the acquisition of two additional dryers.

4.69 Pg.

60 Given that Trinidad and Tobago has the second highest population of remandees in the Caribbean (Table 8), the Committee recommends that the project to build the new remand facility be initiated during fiscal 2018 subject to any necessary approvals, so as to address issues of overcrowding.

Ministry of National Security to engage UDeCoTT to undertake this project.
it should be noted however that the Ministry of Finance has not allocate any funds in fiscal 2017/2018 for the New Remand Prison project.

4.70 Pg.

60 The Committee recommends that the number of remandees per cell be reduced to ensure that each remandee has the right to an individual bed and bedding in accordance with Nelson Mandela Rule No.

21.
21.

By way of Cabinet Minute #1485 of August 17, 2017, the government approved the Upgrade of the Electrical and Mechanical Systems of the Remand Prison, Golden Grove, Arouca.

This upgrade will effectively reduce the cell capacity to no more than three (3) inmates, which will be in keeping with international best practices.

However, this does not address the situation at the Port of Spain Prison.
It is expected that with the introduction of Electronic Monitoring the Remand population would decrease significantly, thus improving the overcrowding situation.

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