TCI News

EDITORIAL – Saving the Judah Gails; are we doing enough?

Published

8 years ago

August 4, 2018

#Turks and Caicos Islands – Saturday August 4, 2018 – Was enough done to rescue murdered man, Judah Gail? I admit to not knowing all of the intimate details of the life of the man gunned down in the parking lot of a popular Providenciales lounge early on Friday morning, but I do have an understanding of this type of story and it is continues to be, to me, deeply distressing.

If you have been following the reports, you would have read or heard that Judah Gail seems to have been a menace to society, who was cold and heartless, with no respect for the rule of law and, by his own words in a video posted two weeks ago, willing to kill anyone who got in his way.

It is a sad eulogy and those who knew him best are not surprised at his demise.

I did not know Judah Gail. I do know that his name means Praise and that his life appeared to be exactly the opposite of one which would be praised in a civilized society.

I did some asking though. I learned that as a little boy, Judah – who is Turks and Caicos, Jamaican and Haitian – lost his mother. A little boy was suddenly all alone and left to raise himself pretty much by himself. I have been told that his mother’s sister did come over from Haiti eventually to assist in rearing the child, but perhaps it was too little, too late.

Perhaps no one really considered how the loss of his mother affected him emotionally and how, if left unaddressed, his feelings of sadness and hurt, turned inside out could become a monster and maybe it did.

Learning this about Judah Gail’s life caused me to read the words of other people who lost their mother or father or both parents while still young children. These words were particularly striking to me:

The sad fact is… there is pain which there is no cure for. This is such pain.
You can’t do anything to fill that void, nor take away the pain.

Life sucks when you lose a single parent let alone both. You stop being a child. Your loss is presented to you daily (friends with their both parents etc.) which all hurt and you can’t really prevent it. You hear the word ”Dad” out of your friends mouths which hurt too…because you can’t use that word anymore (or the word Mom)

Judah, born in the Turks and Caicos Islands, inherited a string of apartments and rented them in his community of Kew Town in Providenciales.

Despite this blessing, young Mr. Gail, was no stranger to incarceration found himself walking through a revolving door. Judah was in and out of jail since his teenage years.

At around 14, Judah Gail was sent by the Turks and Caicos Islands to a boys’ correctional institution in Jamaica. There, I am told, Judah saw drug peddling, Judah saw violent stabbings, Judah witnessed murder and bloody assaults. Judah was hardened and not helped by this experience and then he returned home.

I am also told that the Jamaica boys’ institution to which teen trouble makers were banished by the Turks and Caicos were all ruined not rehabilitated. These teenage boys were toughened, now as young men, they threaten the peace and serenity of the Turks and Caicos Islands today.

There is an image of Judah Gail flashing a ‘gunk’ of money in his grasp and video of him boldly smoking illegal marijuana as he gives a commentary about street life and rules, using the most profane language.

I asked if the money was authentic and if Judah’s sentiments were his credo. I am told the money was very real and Gail, without getting regular employment, was living the high life. There were brand new cars, ‘money like dirt’, and he was a bossy guy and a bully of a man with a deadly habit.

Judah Gail, loved to credit the stuff he sold. That stuff was said to be illicit drugs. Gail would borrow the drugs – marijuana and cocaine – with the promise to flip it and pay a profit to the lending drug-dealer.

I know. Sounds fantastic right? And not in a good way! It is very concerning. But it is what I am told.

This is the life young men, too many of our young men are living and loving in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Judah Gails are on brilliant display and our young boys are watching the show. They are lapping up this apparently luxurious life which seems so very possible, so very profitable when compared to the stories and sagas of their working fathers and uncles.

Gail and his cohorts are earning thousands of dollars per week without a traditional job. They seem to have all they want and more than they need. And while the risk is high and the life is illegal, the rewards may seem to be worth the while. After all, the hard working, honest fathers and uncles are struggling to make ends meet and to buy even a little Japanese car to get around.

Honesty is devalued. Hard work on a job site is scorned. The criminal life can become a glamorous alternative to a silly kid bombarded with silly notions about what really matters in life. Our problem, as those who chose the honest path, is not in the not knowing. Our problem, as leaders and movers and shakers, is in the not doing enough. Turks and Caicos must recognize, that despite headlines of falling crime rates and modernisations in policing; we have a problem where a life of crime is dangerously camouflaging itself as good and this is a gross misrepresentation.

The spiritual enemy, which so many of us believe exists due to our predominantly Christian faith, is working creatively and assiduously to delude and deceive our young men and the Satan we know will kill them, steal them, destroy them.

In keeping score or a tally by strictly looking at the national murder rate, we may be distracted and duped into believing we are way ahead of that enemy’s game.

But a murder rate is not a true indicator of what is really happening among our youth and young men in a broader sense. In one day, two are killed and what a tragic loss this is… but in the one day, we also see how many more young men are rejoicing in the killings, endorsing the murders and prepared to keep on taking lives and creating havoc.

Crime and criminality is not a Turks and Caicos problem. But the ongoing spree of violence – which we have seen is unafraid of threatening preachers, teachers, executives, government ministers, law enforcers, grand-mothers, little children or tourists and guests – begs the question, are we doing enough? Are we finding creative and effective ways to represent a life of rightness and discourage a life of wrongness. Are we there for each other at those critical, pivotal, life-shaping times. Is there enough energy toward empathy? Are we investing the time, creating an equitable environment and are we willing to invest the sweat today to shape the Turks and Caicos we want for tomorrow?

I do not believe we are there. I want to be wrong. I need to be wrong.

Related Topics:#deandreahamilton #editorial #judahgailmurder #magneticmedianews #tcipolice

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Government

Government Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform

Published

17 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

By Magnetic Media Newsroom

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.

During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.

Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.

The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.

Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space, recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.

Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.

Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.

Education

Turks and Caicos Islands Students Excel at Cycle 13 WizdomCRM Regional AI Game National Awards Ceremony

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Ministry of Education Representatives with Rubis and Top 3 Performers

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 22 July 2026: The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture proudly congratulates the students of the Turks and Caicos Islands on their outstanding performance at the Cycle 13 WizdomCRM Regional Virtual Sustainable Stock Market AI Game National Awards Ceremony.

The ceremony was held on Thursday, 16 July 2026, at the Blue Haven Resort, under the theme “Champions Today. AI Leaders Tomorrow.” It was hosted by the Ministry in collaboration with WizdomCRM.

Students across the Caribbean took part in the investment challenge, each beginning with a virtual portfolio of USD $25,000 and working to grow it through simulated investments on regional and international stock markets. Throughout the competition, students were guided by Mr. Rabbit, WizdomCRM’s AI Tutor, and supported by E-Classroom sessions, building financial literacy, critical thinking and investment skills.

The Turks and Caicos Islands emerged as the region’s top-performing territory, claiming the top six regional positions, securing 14 of the Caribbean’s Top 20 places, and placing four schools on the regional leaderboard. Leading the region was Marc Roubentz-Perceus of TCIPS Comprehensive High School, who grew his portfolio to USD $370,336.63. He was followed by Joshua Creese of Raymond Gardiner High School in second place, and Stendro Chalas of TCIPS Comprehensive High School in third. Raymond Gardiner High School was also recognised as the Top School for Cycle 13.

Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, said: “I congratulate every student who took part in Cycle 13. You

have demonstrated the confidence to compete with the very best students regionally, and you have shown our country what is possible. This success is not luck; it is the result of an ecosystem built by students, teachers, parents, school leaders and partners who continue to invest in educational excellence. As we look ahead, the Ministry is in active discussions with WizdomCRM to expand access to its AI-powered learning tools, including Super AI, the AI Tutor, the Plagiarism Checker and the Grammar Checker, so that our young people are equipped with the future-ready skills they need to succeed.”

The Ministry extends sincere appreciation to the dedicated teachers who mentored the students, and to Rubis Turks and Caicos, whose sponsorship provided the cash prizes awarded to the top three regional champions. The Ministry also thanks WizdomCRM, participating schools, parents and stakeholders for their partnership in this achievement, which reflects the Ministry’s continued commitment to innovation, digital learning and youth development across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

WIZDOM CRM – Top Performers Cycle 13

Position	Name	School	Portfolio Value	Regional Placement
1st	Marc Roubentz-Perceus	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 370,336.63	1st
2nd	Joshua Creese	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 264,841.31	2nd
3rd	Stendro Chalas	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 247,738.09	3rd
4th	Ojed’harlie Jolissaint	Wesley Methodist School	$ 227,389.60	4th
5th	Tyshawn Wright	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 189,064.18	5th
6th	Jah’keem Missick	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 173,654.58	6th
7th	Curvin Handfield	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 156,984.89	8th
8th	Chadazea Darville	Wesley Methodist School	$ 147,428.43	9th
9th	Vivaan Castleton	British West Indies Collegiate	$ 120,833.83	14th
10th	Damendine Simplus	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 118,660.55	15th
11th	Dyvion Louis	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 111,572.81	16th
12th	Colin Moriarty	British West Indies Collegiate	$ 106,854.81	17th
13th	Kensley Felix	TCIPS Comprehensive High School	$ 101,285.06	18th
14th	Redjino Saint-Louis	Raymond Gardiner High School	$ 99,927.39	19th

TEACHERS

Fexnel Colvert – TCIPS Comprehensive High School
Valerie Olice – Raymond Gardiner High School
Warren French – Wesley Methodist School
Phyllis Boucher – British West Indies Collegiate

Top Performing School: Raymond Gardiner High School

Government

Parnell Urges Premier to Step Aside, Proposes Bipartisan Board to Guide Healthcare Transition

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

By Magnetic Media Newsroom

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — Opposition Leader Douglas Parnell is calling on Premier Charles Washington Misick to step aside, arguing that the Government has failed to provide the leadership, transparency and public engagement needed as the Turks and Caicos Islands prepares for one of the most significant changes in its healthcare system.

Responding to Government statements following InterHealth Canada’s contract termination notice, Parnell said residents were only now learning officially that negotiations with the hospital operator had been underway for more than a year, despite several previous opportunities for Government to inform the public.

He questioned why no detailed explanation was provided during the State of the State Address, Budget Debate or recent healthcare announcements, including the opening of the new polyclinic.

Parnell argued that while the PDM supports reforming or replacing the existing hospital arrangement, the process must be transparent and centred on the public interest.

The Opposition Leader reminded residents that the PDM had challenged the InterHealth agreement while in government, pursuing arbitration and preparing further legal action over concerns about the contract before leaving office following the General Election.

To guide the next phase, Parnell proposed establishing a bipartisan Health Transition Board comprising Government and Opposition representatives to oversee the transition, monitor public accountability and manage the procurement process for any future healthcare provider.

He also outlined what the PDM believes should form the foundation of the next healthcare system, including guaranteed continuity of care, automatic employment protection for hospital workers, recruitment incentives for specialist physicians, expanded intensive care services, comprehensive mental health care, enhanced geriatric services and accelerated efforts to attract qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders in the medical profession back home.

Parnell also presented ten questions for Government covering outstanding payments, borrowing plans, legal implications, transition arrangements and the future structure of healthcare delivery.

He said the changes now unfolding require decisive leadership, openness and a carefully managed transition that places patients, healthcare workers and the long-term interests of the Turks and Caicos Islands first.