THE EDITOR, Madam:
I TOTALLY disagree with Minister K.D. Knight's proposal to build a large $3 billion monstrosity and spend $3 million to convert the former Things Jamaican Ltd. into large prisons. The tragedy is, it is going to take many more billions annually to maintain those two white elephants and the other prisons across the island.
In a short time these two expensive monoliths will revert to the present hell holes, as our prisons house some of the world's most dangerous, uncontrollable, unredeemable monsters to walk the earth. Plus the staff seem to be made up of weak, easily corruptible unprofessional people, managed by weak-kneed soft-talking weaklings. When you combine those factors, you are creating a large dangerous time bomb.
To put the icing on the cake, Mr. Knight said that new prisons will have "A chapel, gym, central kitchen, dining area, administrative block, waiting and visiting areas, rooms for social workers, medical, dental, trade work shops, multi-purpose areas (for idlers, higglers?) library, recreational areas, laundry and staff facilities."
This must be the biggest load of hogwash I have heard in all my life. Free of cost to all prisoners after they have shot to death innocent Jamaicans, chopped Jamaicans to death, raped Jamaicans to insanity etc. Of course all the costs will be borne by the same over burdened taxpayers, and victims whom they terrorise every God living day.
Prisons should be places which people try to avoid like the plague. Instead, you are planning to build the world's largest, most luxurious all-inclusive hotel for prisoners. I can just see our assorted hoodlums sharpening their machetes, knives, ice picks, cleaning guns, pouring acid etc., preparing to murder, so they can bask in luxurious splendour while singing "Heaven, I'm in heaven". Mr. Knight wake up, you cannot reward criminals for rape, robbery and murder!
Prisons, Mr. Knight, should be so uncomfortable that people would be afraid to commit crimes so that they will not end up there. What you need to do is to look at the facilities in all 14 parishes. Convert them from 'old house' stations to simple strong square concrete block and steel units and spread the prisoners around so that the prison population can be as small as possible and easily monitored. In this case Minister, smaller is better!
The only creature comforts they should get are things like soap, toothpaste, reading material etc., depending on their behaviour. All maintenance like laundry, cooking, cleaning etc., should be done daily by prisoners. Visiting hours should be 15 minutes on Sunday mornings by one family member only father, mother or wife.
No idlers should be within 100 yards of any prison at anytime. Time spent with lawyers should be quick and prompt. All prisons should be located far from neighbourhoods, business places and all public and private places. The country has more than enough problems to face everyday. This is one problem we should try to eliminate from our psyche quickly.
I am, etc.,
JOHN A. WILLIAMS
P.O. Box 1173
Kingston 8
