Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Disheartening! Increase in number of persons on remand– Chief Justice

- appeals to governments to implement 'judge alone trials'
Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Her Worship Dame Janice M. Pereira said an increase in the number of persons on remand in already overcrowded prisons has serious implications for the maintenance and promotion of the rule of law, peace and security. Photo: VINO/File
Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Her Worship Dame Janice M. Pereira said the criminal justice system in the OECS is in dire need of robust reform. Photo: YouTube
Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Her Worship Dame Janice M. Pereira said the criminal justice system in the OECS is in dire need of robust reform. Photo: YouTube
CASTRIES, St Lucia- Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Her Worship Dame Janice M. Pereira has raised concerns that there are more persons being held on remand in state prisons across the region.

She said on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, that this is not a step in the right direction for the justice system.

“There has been an increase in the number of persons on remand in already overcrowded prisons. This does not bode well for any state and has serious implications for the maintenance and promotion of the rule of law and indeed the peace and security of us all,” she pointed out during the opening of the 2022 Law Year.

“It is disheartening and quite troubling when those accused of inflicting harm and those who have suffered harm find common ground in lamenting the seemingly interminable wait for justice.”

System needs reform!

“The criminal justice system is in dire need of robust reform,” she expressed.

“As I expressed in my last address, the time is ripe for our governments to assist the judiciary by including in their legislative agendas, criminal justice reform measures such as provision for the implementation of judge alone trials for specific cape types within the context of the constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair trial.”

She said in the absence of judge-alone trials, Governments can consider reducing the size of the existing jury panel which would be a cost-cutting measure as well.

“Having judge alone trials, or trials with reduced jury panels will have many benefits including decreasing the expenditure associated with operating a jury system, which ultimately is in the benefit of the public purse while boosting efficiency, accountability and importantly public confidence in the justice system.”

16 Responses to “Disheartening! Increase in number of persons on remand– Chief Justice”

  • blow (13/01/2022, 11:14) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    It’s a sad reflection of the financial hardships we’ve all suffered during this Covid era
  • tola (13/01/2022, 11:15) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Jury in Tortola is the most dishonest people who go and swear on the Bible the never read or talk about the case there sitting on and they well know they bin in conversations and already has a verdic before the case even start. If they upgrade the system they have no case to win in the BVI.
    • @tola (13/01/2022, 17:51) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      This is what I think, Tortola is so damn small and almost everyone knows and is related to each other, what they should do is when a jury is picked, they should remain sequestered in a hotel room until the case wraps up. No TV, No phone usage, no newspapers nothing. Even if the case takes two days, hold over the jury, once they leave the court room that is when the babbling starts.Tortola people don’t know how to keep their mouths shut.
      • Norris Turnbull (13/01/2022, 20:03) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
        U 2
        • @Norris Turnbull (14/01/2022, 08:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          You need to shut your narrow behind and your way of thinking behind up. You are one of the ones that is very comfortable with the way things is going. That is why it is so important to travel out of the comfort of the square box you are living in and see how the true world function. And I don’t mean just going to ST.Thomas, ST. Croix, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
      • I would agree (14/01/2022, 01:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        No jurors should be able to go home until the case wraps. Send them directly to a hotel at the end of the day. Once they leave the court room at the end of the day, they often talk about or discuss the case with people on the outside. I was never called for jury duty and if I do, I will find a way to get out of it. I simply don’t want any parts of it.
    • @tola (14/01/2022, 08:41) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      There you go. They already made their decision about the person before the trial even begin. They are not going to upgrade the system. Most of the people that is picked for jury duty is just as CROCKED.
  • My girl (13/01/2022, 12:38) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    She should be ashamed to amid this ?
  • Honestly (13/01/2022, 14:58) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    The whole justice system needs to change, they go of off he/she say, barely any evidence n those spiteful, wicked judges just as bad along with those illiterate lawyers on this island lol
    • @Honestly (13/01/2022, 17:56) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      That he say, she say and I hear is the normal in this place. You can’t base evidence on he say, she say or I hear.
  • Tired (13/01/2022, 15:13) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply

    Sentence or free the people them from captivity!
    I swear this lil place is just a #%%
    Alot of unfairness n injustice

  • Well then (13/01/2022, 18:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Your honor do something to change things around. There is a few not all, persons sitting in prison that is honestly not guilty or committed the crime that they are accused of. But based on the he say, she say, I hear thing, they are sitting in jail. Some of the jurors is just as corrupt.
  • Road Town Rebel (13/01/2022, 20:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Magistrates, Judges, law enforcement and this General society are all too
    punitive.
  • Remand The wicked ones (14/01/2022, 08:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop remanding people for traffic violations and child support. Remand those who hurt others and steal from others.
  • stop it change it (14/01/2022, 20:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    stop remanding people for bush weed. Fine or community service hours with solid waste or public works department. a large number of people at the prison are in there for “weed” Get them out. Make room for the real criminals and lawbreakers.
  • SMH (15/01/2022, 01:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are father's who can be there for thier kids instead of having the on remand wasting years n time, let them go until you're ready for them or sumn, this is nonsense!


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.