ST. JOHN, Antigua and Barbuda — Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Gaston Browne has called for greater cooperation between the Judiciary, Parliament and the Executive in addressing the recent increase in crime and violence, while emphasizing the need for sentences that are proportionate to the seriousness of criminal offences.
Speaking at a national security meeting with senior security and law enforcement officials, Prime Minister Browne expressed particular concern about repeat offenders and persons convicted of gun-related crimes receiving sentences which, in his view, do not adequately reflect the seriousness of their offences.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the constitutional separation of powers among the Judiciary, Executive and Parliament, but said there must nevertheless be a degree of cooperation among the three branches in fulfilling their respective responsibilities for the governance and security of the country.
Prime Minister Browne pointed specifically to legislation which provides for sentences of up to 15 years for certain gun offences. He questioned whether sentences of only two or three years for serious gun-related offences provide a sufficient deterrent or adequately protect the wider society.
“We are asking for your cooperation. We are demanding it in order to keep our country safe,”the Prime Minister said, while stressing that his comments were not intended to undermine the independence of the Judiciary.
The Prime Minister also raised concerns about the repeated incarceration and release of known offenders, describing the situation as a revolving door that makes the work of law enforcement more difficult. He said the Government would rather see dangerous repeat offenders properly incarcerated than returned to communities where they may commit additional offences.
Prime Minister Browne stressed, however, that stronger sentencing must be accompanied by meaningful rehabilitation.
He called for the prison system to provide mandatory skills and trade training to inmates, particularly repeat offenders who may lack the skills necessary to secure employment upon release.
The Prime Minister said longer periods of incarceration, where warranted by the seriousness of the offence, could also provide an opportunity for offenders to acquire skills that would assist their reintegration into society and reduce recidivism.
He further proposed that capable prisoners be given opportunities to contribute labour to appropriate national programmes, including the maintenance and cleaning of public spaces, as part of a structured rehabilitation and skills-development programme.
The Prime Minister said the Government has a responsibility to protect law-abiding citizens and to ensure that persons who repeatedly commit serious offences are dealt with appropriately within the criminal justice system.
He called on the police and other law enforcement agencies to provide the courts with relevant intelligence and information concerning repeat offenders, including their criminal histories and patterns of offending, so that the justice system has the information necessary to make informed decisions.
Prime Minister Browne also argued that appropriate sentences can, in some circumstances, protect offenders themselves by removing them from situations in which they may continue to engage in dangerous criminal activity.
He said the Government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the country’s response to crime and will maintain its call for a justice system that balances rehabilitation, deterrence and the protection of society.
The Prime Minister concluded that the escalating challenge of crime requires all institutions of the State to fulfill their respective responsibilities, while respecting the constitutional framework governing the separation of powers.
“We are trying to protect our country,”Prime Minister Browne said, reaffirming that the Government will continue to take the necessary steps to strengthen public safety and restore confidence in the country’s ability to confront serious and repeat criminal offending. (Ends)
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Prime Minister Browne Calls for Greater Accountability in Sentencing of Criminal Offenders.