TCI News
TCI: Hon. Vaden Williams – Contribution to Debate on Alternative Sentencing Bill 2018
#Grand Turk, January 29, 2019 – Turks and Caicos –
Mr. Speaker, I rise to lend my support to this Bill, the Alternative Sentencing Bill 2018.
Mr. Speaker, I want to first of all thank the staff at the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Courts, staff in my Ministry, the ministry of Home Affairs Transportation and Communication, the Social Development Department, the Police, the Prison and any other stakeholder group that would have contributed to it in any way.
Mr. Speaker, the Attorney General or the acting Attorney General at the last meeting has already given an overview of what this bill is about, and what it is proposing to do, and so there is no need for me to go over again. What I would do, Mr. Speaker, is to speak briefly about why this bill is important to our country, why it is important to the Ministry of Home Affairs Transportation and Communication, and finally why it is important to the persons this bill will impact.
Importance to our country
Mr. Speaker, since coming to office My Government has made some important changes that will benefit members of our society who are most at risk.
In keeping with this mission, the changes that will be brought about by this Bill, Mr. Speaker, have been geared towards producing a more progressive, balanced and modern criminal justice system that protects society from crime.
Mr. Speaker my attention was recently drawn to an article by the Center for Economic and Policy Research on the cost of incarceration.
In it, they said that there are four benefits of alternative sentencing.
- It saves cost because it is far less costly than placing someone in prison
- It promotes public safety because it helps individuals to address the underlying issues and factors that contribute to their criminal behavior, it keeps families together and it encourages them to be accountable for their actions
- It gives the courts more options to tailor appropriate sentences, and
- It is consistent with public attitudes: Most adults believe that probation, community service, and rehabilitative services are the appropriate components of sentences for non-violent, non-serious offenses and that jail or prison time are appropriate only when these fail.
Mr. Speaker, while the reason for us bringing this bill today is not about the cost of incarceration, the potential to improve public safety makes this bill worth passing today.
Importance for the Ministry
Mr. Speaker, the ability of the courts to issue the alternative sentencing orders is central to this bill. Of equal importance, Mr. Speaker, is the role that the staff in the Social Development Department, in my Ministry, will have to play.
They will have responsibility for
- coordinating the activities and programs of the orders
- supervising individuals
- In addition, producing the reports required by the court.
Mr. Speaker I am happy to say that my Government has already begun preparation for the implementation of this bill by supporting the creation of a Probation Parole and Rehabilitation Unit within the Social Development department.
We have also supported the department by providing funding to hire a Probation Parole and Rehabilitation Supervisor and Parole Officers this financial year. Funding to hire more Parole Officers will be given in the new financial year.
Mr. Speaker, I digress to add that with the recruitment of these officers, Mr. Speaker, we hope to improve the efficiency of the parole board and continue the groundwork for the Chance for Change programme that we spoke about in our Change Document.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is a BIG Deal. It is a BIG DEAL because for far long too, many of our young men leave the prison without any HOPE of ever LEARNING a new skill, or getting a job to support themselves, their families, or even contribute to society that have offended.
This programme is a high priority for us Mr. Speaker and it will become operational within the next financial year.
Mr. Speaker, it is also important to make it very clear that none of the orders in this Bill,
- The Community Service Order
- The Curfew Order
- The Expulsion Order
- The Discharge Order
- The Conditional Sentence Order
- The Intermittent Sentence Order, and
- The Suspended Sentence Supervision Order cannot be successfully implemented or executed by Probation Officers alone.
Other stakeholders such as the Police, the Private Sector, and other parts of the Public Service, the Churches and civic groups, all have a critical role to play in making this new sentencing system a success, and I encourage all of them to do so.
Importance for the Individual
The most important stakeholder, however, Mr. Speaker is the person who receives an order. They are the most important stakeholder because they will be given an opportunity to make a change in their behavior.
Mr. Speaker, naturally, there are some inmates who require the most serious and intense prison security level there is, and for this reason alternative sentencing will not be an option in every case.
But, for others, it seems to make sense to not introduce them to a lifestyle that can only make them worse off in the long-run.
One commonly used alternative sentencing measure is the ability to discharge an offender without punishment, which effectively gives the offender, if they are charged with a less serious crime, a second chance.
If ordered, it is our hope that they make good use of that second chance, and make the choice to change.
Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Home Affairs with responsibility for the Department of Social Services I offer my full support to this “Alternative Sentencing Bill 2018” to ensure that we give our people the chance to turn their lives around and become contributing members of society.
Mr. Speaker, I thank you.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
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