Prison Recidivism in Trinidad and Tobago: A Baseline Study

• Author: Ian K. Ramdhanie
• Pages: 368-397

368

CRIME, DELINQUENCY AND JUSTICE

This research paper is derived from a baseline

study on ‘Prison Recidivism in Trinidad and

Tobago: Towards Reduction, Rehabilitation

and Reform’ being conducted by the UWI

Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice

(St. Augustine Campus) in the six adult

prisons for convicted inmates (five for males

and one for females). This is the first time

such a study is being undertaken in this twin-

island state and more so in the wider

Caribbean. Several phases comprise this

pioneering project. This paper highlights

some of the key findings from Phase I

conducted during the period January-

December 2002.

OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

There are four overall objectives of this

study. These are:

(1) To gather data on the demographic,

social and economic status of the

prison population in the country’s

adult prisons,

(2) To gather data on the criminal and

conviction status of such inmates,

(3) To conduct risk assessments on

prisoners and to examine the potential

for rehabilitation and civic

reintegration within society, and

(4) To propose programmes and policies

that can help improve the penal

system and in particular reduce the

rate of recidivism within the prison

population.

Prison

Recidivism in

Trinidad and

Tobago:

A Baseline Study1

Ian K. Ramdhanie

Seventeen

369

PRISON RECIDIVISM IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

METHODOLOGY

To undertake this baseline research/policy study, the methodology adopted is

briefly described. First, several meetings were held with the various authorities

(for example, Ministry of National Security, Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service,

Cabinet-Appointed Task Force on Prison Reform and Transformation, etc.). These

fulfilled the primary purposes of informing the relevant personnel about the

project, as well as, seeking their support for the project and gaining access to the

prisons and prisoner records.

Second, site visits and interviews were conducted in all six of the adult prisons

for convicted inmates in Trinidad and Tobago. Third, the data collection exercise

took place by our trained team of researchers in the six prisons outlined in this

study. The records of all convicted inmates, a total of 4,449 inmates who were in

the prisons from January 1, 2002 to May 31, 2002 were examined. This was a

most challenging experience given the state of the required records at the various

prisons.

Fourth, most of the key stakeholders in the prison system were brought

together at a special forum to discuss some of the major issues in this project -

prison recidivism, reform and rehabilitation. Fifth, data analysis and the generation

of results took place and finally, a comprehensive research/policy report (Deosaran

and Ramdhanie 2003) with over 40 recommendations arising from our meetings,

interviews, site visits, stakeholders’ forum and the data collected were submitted

to the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on March 21, 2003.

It is worth mentioning at this juncture that Phase I of the study did not examine

inmates in this country’s juvenile institutions, or inmates on ‘remand’ in the

adult prisons. In other words, only the records of ‘convicted’ adult inmates were

obtained. Inmates on ‘remand’ are those who have not been convicted by a court

and therefore are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This study focused on

those who were found guilty by the courts (that is, Magistrate, High and Appeal

courts) and in which the sentence was imprisonment.

SELECTED OVERALL PRISON DATA F OR TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

This section provides a summary of the overall trends that emerged from the

prison data for Trinidad and Tobago (for example, data on the number of persons

committed to prison during the years by sex, age and type of crimes/offences is

highlighted).

Total Number of Persons Convicted and Sent to Pr ison by Sex (1988-

99)

Figure 17.1 illustrates the total number of persons convicted and sentenced

to prison for the years 1988–99 by sex.