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Rehabilitation needs more serious work, South Caicos Member fed-up with on Recidivism

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, May 14, 2022 – More needs to be done to rehabilitate incarcerated islanders according to Rev. John Malcolm, the Member for South Caicos, who was speaking in a passionate address to the House of Assembly on May 25.

The representative from South Caicos rebuked what he described as the inaction in regards to the prison system in the Turks and Caicos.

“I am like the rest of the country also concerned about the rise in crime, there are several factors contributing to crime, one of them in my opinion is the state of our prisons. I am convinced that our prisons are a breeding ground for criminals.”

He explained that with the expertise gained from working as the Director of the National Drug unit and his understanding of the prison mindset he had created a plan years ago to address the state of the prisons.

Malcolm said he had pitched it to several officials including the then Governor and police officials but received no positive response.

“First of all Mr. Speaker the plan calls for a restructuring of the prison, recruiting in psychologists and psychiatrists, this will enable the prison to do profiles for all of the inmates as well as some of the wardens…many of them have psychological problems and developmental problems that are not being addressed so we see young men going into prison and coming out worse than they went in.”

The plan also included a comprehensive works program that would revive the block making facility in the prison and provide job placement for inmates when they left the facility

“Some of them have carpentry skills, put them to work making furniture…Some of them are very artistic to put them to work so they can find an outlet for their art the Grand Turk cruise center is an outlet for TCI art

Other aspects of the plan included remedial learning, mentorship and skills training, matching prisoners with the electricians, plumbers, and others so that they would have a skill upon exit of the prison.

While admitting that the plan might need some fine-tuning to fit the present day he challenged the Government to try this as nothing else was being done.

Hon Malcolm, who is a certified counsellor of substance dependent individuals pointed to recidivism or a return to illegal activity as a contributor to the ongoing high instances of crime.

Bu there was a response from the Government in defence of the prison’s rehab program.

Premier Washington Misick replied to Malcolm’s appeal and said while some prisoners continued to make mischief behind bars, healthy reintegration into society was the Government’s ultimate goal and they were already working towards achieving it.

The Premier described several of the programs already activated for prisoners on the islands.

“On the issue of prisons a lot has been done and it’s not something that has just started. Accommodation training and Mental and Physical health are being addressed…We have one prisoner working full time on a day release. We have two working at the Governor’s residence for are currently working part-time at the national museum, 6 prisoners working on the prison farm, three prisoners working on the ‘A stitch in time’ workshop, 25 prisoners working on internal administrative goals, and four prisoners working in the kitchen.”

The Premier noted that there was in fact an education program in progress along with the Chance for Change program.

Opposition leader, Edwin Astwood in his speech was so moved by Malcolm’s passion that he vowed to use a private members motion to lobby for the implementation of the plan.

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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