Dana Malcolm & Wilkie Arthur

Editorial Team

#TurksandCaicosIslands, October 9, 2023 – New security provisions are being out in place at the Magistrates Court but it took a few close calls to get the safety measures added.

In a September 6, 2023 report patrons of the facility were advised that following multiple security breaches at the Magistrate’s Court on Old Airport Road, additional security measures would be instituted for the protection of their staff, officers of the court, and all court users.

By nature courthouses put accused criminals, lawyers, jurors, witnesses and others in close proximity, necessitating measures to protect vulnerable parties.

Our Court Correspondent, Wilkie Arthur has confirmed the changes followed complaints from residents about the ease with which anyone could access the building and the danger it presented.

Now, everyone will be required to pass through the security scanner at the entrance to the Registry with further inspection possible.  Also a part of the new security system

 All persons will be required to sign into the security’s visitor log

 All persons will be required to show some proof of identification

 Detained persons will not be allowed to remain in the spaces allocated for members of the general public

 The use of the Entry and Exit doors will be strictly enforced

 Vehicles are to be parked only in the designated parking spaces (not in front of the
entrance of the office)

Detainees will be kept on holding cells until their case is called and will be escorted into court using a side entrance.

Despite the detailed breakdown of the measures, there was no indication what security breaches had caused the revamp but Arthur says the changes are being felt already.

“I now notice a difference, every time we go they check our bags if the metal detector goes off. Prisoners don’t sit in the area where civilians—are.”

All Magistrates’ courts are to have similar changes instituted.