Officials with the Ministry of
Community Affairs, Gender and Housing are discussing the building of an
on-island juvenile rehabilitation facility on Grand Cayman.
The government is using a similar
facility in Missouri, US, as a model, according to Minister Mike Adam. The
Ministry has solicited help from Mark Steward, director of the Missouri Youth
Services Institute.
“The model is based on a community
programme that emphasizes rehabilitation, treatment and education, and is an
interactive approach among youth, their families and staff,” Mr. Adam
said. “It is, in essence, a move away
from the traditional correctional approach which has shown not to effectively
rehabilitate young people.”
Mr. Adam said currently, Cayman youth
in need of care and protection are being housed with those who exhibit delinquent
and offending behaviour.
“Overseas institutions are no
longer an option due to international immigration restrictions and the closure
of Tranquillity Bay in Jamaica,” he said.
“However, even if providing overseas placements were still an option,
the exorbitant cost and separation from family make this a less than ideal
arrangement.”
Juvenile offenders sentenced to
imprisonment serve their time at Eagle House, where they come into daily
contact with adult prisoners at HMPS Northward.
Female juvenile offenders are sent to HMPS Fairbanks where there is no
special facility, trained staff or rehabilitative programmes.
“We must empower those already on a
positive path by supporting their education and their social, spiritual and
physical development,” Mr. Adam said.
“But we must also have effective intervention strategies in place, and
we must have the programmes in place to correct and rehabilitate those showing
delinquent behaviour.”
A remand and rehabilitation
facility is a constitutional obligation, according to Mr. Adam.
“The Cayman Islands Constitution
Order 2009, Section (6)(3) states that juvenile prisoners shall be segregated
from adult prisoners, and this section has effect from four days after the
appointed day,” he said.
“By November 2013, therefore, the
Cayman Islands must have suitable facilities in place in order to uphold this
provision.”
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