Disturbed, bewildered by Government’s decision

I am very disturbed and bewildered by the decision of the Government to release 50 convicted criminals into a society under siege by crime. We punish and not rehabilitate, so please explain how these criminals who have no jobs or job skills are going to be reintegrated into society.

Many have not seen or been with a woman for years, some may have even lost all ties with their families. Please tell me, what is the best option left for these criminals who would have difficulty finding a job to survive? Our criminals are castaways who have been confined for years and are now being considered for redeposit into a society with which they have been out of touch.

What are the criteria for release? What trade have they learnt? What changes have they made socially? How would they support themselves? What commitments have they made to change? What are the consequences if these commitments are not met? Who is going to ensure these commitments are fulfilled? Who is going to guide them along the right path? Have the victims and witnesses been contacted? How are they coping? Would they be protected? What counselling have they received?

Has anyone gone to the communities they previously resided in and spoken to the residents about their return? What is their opinion? For criminals who had wives or girlfriends at the time and who have since moved on with their lives, have they been contacted? Would they be protected or counselled? Who, other than the criminal, is benefiting?

 I am by no means saying persons cannot or will not change or should not be given an opportunity but please answer my questions. Furthermore I have three, yes, I said THREE daughters. When the criminals are freed, if they put God out of their thoughts and commit crimes against myself, my three daughters or anyone else for that matter, who is going to be held accountable? For some people, committing murder is as easy as inhaling oxygen. Is this the right time for this?

Who was consulted on what should be done to commemorate 50 years? With the recent upsurge in criminal activity, where exactly is this decision going to take us? Are we only looking at ‘Yay, 50 freed for our 50th independence,’ which is ONE DAY?

Have we considered the potential risks associated with this decision beyond August 31? Dear Minister of Justice, I beg you to reconsider your decision, show us the benefit the country would gain from the release of these criminals and please answer my questions.

The taxpayer who supports criminals, ie, clothing, food, shelter paid by me! PS: I much prefer paying for them to stay in than paying the price when they come out unrehabilitated and unprepared for a society that is ill-equipped to deal with them.

Nichelle Coker
Via e-mail