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Leadership Cayman Explores the Criminal Justice System

26 Mar 2021

The 2021 Leadership Cayman class explored the pros and the cons of the Cayman Islands criminal justice system on Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

The Criminal Justice seminar commenced with tours of HMP Northward Prison, HMP Fairbanks Prison and the Enhanced Reintegration Unit, a facility which accommodates inmates being prepared for reintegration into society.

Re-entry Clerk/Examination Centre Officer, Keehon Moore, and two other prison officers, Khalil Mejia and Steve Miller, led the class around the facility and introduced them to key members of staff, including the shift commander, cell block warden, and various persons from the vocational training programme.

During the tour, the LC class learned about the rehabilitation strategy designed to enhance inmates’ employability and reduce their likelihood to re-offend such as their vocational training programme, agriculture work, art therapy, etc.

The day’s event culminated with breakout sessions and a panel discussion at the courthouse in George Town. The aim of the seminar was to provide an overview of the Criminal Justice system in the Cayman Islands; identify challenges faced by each sector of the system and increase awareness of the current and proposed strategies to resolve challenges in the system.

The breakout sessions and panel discussions were led by Hon. Kirsty-Ann Gunn, Magistrate; Steven Barrett, Director of Prisons, HMCIPS; and Derek Byrne, Commissioner of Police, RCIPS.

Some of the topics discussed were the systems in place to deal with children who commit offences, the prevalence of repeat offenders, the work and compensation programme administered by the prisons, continued support for inmates once they have re-entered society as well as the need for a proper prison facility.

The Criminal Justice seminar was organised by Leadership Cayman class members Diksha Sahni and Kate Bosman with their mentor, Dana Boardsen.

Wheaton Precious Metals was seminar sponsor as well as one of the major sponsors for the six-month long programme. The other two major sponsors for Leadership Cayman 2021 are Cox Lumber Ltd. and RBC Royal Bank (Cayman) Limited.