In an urgent plea to the public, Opposition Leader Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson asks for help with a juvenile in prison.
In the release to RTC News, Mrs. Robinson states:
‘Yesterday we were deeply disturbed and outraged at the fact that a child of 11 years has received a sentence requiring detention and has therefore been sent to Her Majesty’s Prison. The Opposition has been speaking to the plight of our juveniles and the fact that the system is failing them and are making life all the more difficult for them through the lack of proper housing, lack of education instruction and general Programs to assist them and their parents in their rehabilitation.
This 11year old child has joined older juveniles whom he ought not to have contact with but whilst the Prison may be doing its best, it is not the best experience for this child.
The sentence of an 11 year old ought to call this country to action. Whilst we appreciate that there is evidence of deviant behavior, this move signals a need for the people of these Islands to demand that an alternative sentence or arrangement be made for him and other juveniles.
We are further asking the people of these Islands to call on the Government to make the Facility to house the juveniles a priority.
The idea of a Facility has been tossed about for years and has been seen multiple experiences where residents do not wish to have the facility in their area. I am reminding us all that these are our children and it is up to us collectively as a people to determine whether we want to give them a fair chance in life so that they can become productive citizens or whether we wish to have them become greater nuisances to society.
The choice is not theirs entirely or their family’s but it is ours as well.
We need the Government to treat this issue with great priority and the Courts must become more innovative in its sentencing towards our children who are at risk and have run afoul of the Law.
An Appeal will be submitted today on this child’s behalf and we are calling on residents to rally around this family and be prepared to support a Petitioning of the Courts by writing letters and supporting other initiatives. If you wish to email your letter, please do so to juvenilesneedhelp@gmail.com.
These letters will be printed and delivered to the Court and the relevant authorities. Please speak specifically to the plight of the 11 year old child, those being housed now and the need for a Facility.
I am appealing to the Pastors and the Media to please help in this fight. Let us be our children’s voices.’
That was the full text of the PDM Leader Sharlene Cartwright Robinson on the 11 year old housed in a juvenile wing at Her Majesty Prison in Grand Turk.
