First Two Prisoners Get Parole
17 December 2020
A parole system for persons serving time for crime is now in place with the granting of parole to the first two inmates yesterday.
Minister for Home Affairs, Justice and National Security Senator Hermangild Francis and the Department of Probation and Parole have urged members of the public to help the parolees re-integrate into the society.
Francis said that upon assuming the reins as Minister for National Security, he became involved with steering this key objective of parole for inmates.
He said the goal was to implement a Parole System in Saint Lucia in accordance with world class standards in its structure and operations.
Added Francis: “This mattered very (greatly) to the government as our human rights image is sometimes unnecessarily sullied in certain quarters. I can vouch as the Minister that the parole system is properly geared to treat every parolee in accordance with the Human Rights Declaration.
“This system is an example of restorative justice where persons are given the chance to restore their lives after some time spent serving their custodial sentences”
Francis disclosed that the government had also secured the assistance of a Consultant from Canada one Mike Ryan to oversee all the technicalities of the system. He said Ryan had been engaged in training the local team “so that overall we can secure a successful outcome”.