DELIBERATE obfuscation or innocent ignoranceeither way, smoke and mirrors are being used to delude Trinbagonians into believing that real attention is being paid to addressing crime. Merriam-Webster defines smoke and mirrors very nicely as something that seems good but is not real or effective and that is done especially to take attention away from something else that is embarrassing or unpleasant. Three key elements of addressing crime are intelligence, matters before the courts, and prison resources. Yet, all that the public is getting are useless rhetoric and lame excuses.
One key element is the supposed intelligence reports. The police always seem to know the gang leaders and criminal elements, yet not one of them has been restricted in their activities. However, garrulity on statistics and trivial matters continue as if criminal activities were being addressed. Why isnt actionable intelligence being acted upon? Of what value is having intelligence if the criminal elements continue their alleged crime spree unabated but the police always seem to know them but wait until something happens or is imminent before telling the population that we know the criminals and what they are planning?
Another key element is the length of time taken to address the matter of an alleged criminal. Why cant this be done within a very short few months after being charged? Why are these so-called criminal elements not even aware when their matter will be called? What is the Ministry of National Securitywhich has two ministersdoing to ensure matters pertaining to crime are quickly heard and adjudicated upon? For decades now, the Judiciary seems to be dragging its feet on dealing with alleged criminals, yet no government seemingly has the necessary fortitude to take the bull by the horns and deal with it.
The head of the Judiciary is appointed by the President based on the advice of the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition and is supposedly charged with interpreting and applying the laws of Trinidad and Tobago; so which entity is going to bell the cat? Is the Judiciary above the law? No government has seen it fit to determine why the Judiciary seems to behave as it does, especially regarding crime. The maxim, Justice delayed is justice denied seems to escape its purview or is grossly misunderstood by the powers-that-be.
A primary element of truly tackling crime is the prison system. True. Alleged prisoners have fallen afoul of the law, but why isnt the prison system reformed to separate first offenders from seasoned criminals? Why arent proper amenities provided to enable detraction of violent or untoward behaviour? Why have almost all of the earmarked projects for prison reform remained uncompleted in the last five years? Is this one of the reasons for relocating high-risk prisoners from the prison system to the military barracks, which seemingly do not have the necessary prison infrastructure to accommodate such prisoners? Isnt this a smoke-and-mirrors attempt at deluding Trinbagonians into believing that proper incarceration or action is being done, rather than fixing the seemingly broken prison system?
Are almost all prison officers corrupt, or just a few? Why, then, continually harp on alleged corrupt prison officers who facilitate criminal activities? Is the answer simply one of relocation? Why cant these alleged offenders be tried very quickly before a court of law, and the relevant action taken, rather than using them as scapegoats regarding criminal intent? Why arent proper screening and psychometric testing being done to adequately determine the capability of the person to become a prison officer? Why arent these being done to current officers?
Banned items are being given to prisonersso why arent spot checks being done by informing only the prison officer in charge on arrival rather than advertising the intent beforehand? Why arent drones detected before dropping their banned contents behind prison walls?
Myriad excuses are being made by the Government and relevant entities regarding addressing crime, but unless the brick-and-mortar elements are addressed, no number of states of emergency, talks and excuses will deal with crime. Unless there is timely prison reform, competence in choosing prison officers, adequate use of technology and intelligence and a Judiciary that addresses criminal matters within three months or less and provides judgments within a maximum period of two weeks, the criminal justice system will be farcical, and crime will continue unabated.
After all, justice delayed is justice denied and prisoners backed into a corner will fight back. Therefore, discussions should be had with the Law Association, Chief Justice, Attorney General, Prison Commissioner, Police Commissioner and Ministers of National Security to address matters. This is not too much a price to pay for the wheels of justice to turn and the issue of smoke and mirrors to be obviated.
How serious is this Government in really addressing crime? Or is it duping people into believing that something is being done based on its election promise?
Who or which entity will beard the lion in its den?
