I congratulate the Director General of the UTM and Dr. Chittoo, Chairperson of the National Workshop for the laudable initiative to organize a workshop on a theme that would trigger a lot of reflection. The days of opinion based problems and policy advocacy are bygones. We are living in an era where scientific investigation and rigour are required to substantiate any claim even if we are addressing a social phenomenon. If we do not think and act systematically in a scientific manner to look at a problem holistically, the risk of taking symptoms as problems are indeed high. The solutions we will propose run a high risk to turn out to be palliative ones, that is, what some may refer to as easy solutions. I take personal pride that one of the Universities operating under the aegis of my Ministry in tackling a serious problem with the objective of submitting a report to Government which may form the basis of strategic development of the penal services in Mauritius. The best brains and important stakeholders – from the UTM, the University of Mauritius, The Mauritius Prisons Services, the Judiciary, the Police Force, Government, NGOs and Civil Societies among others gathered today for a cause is making history. I sincerely hope they believe in service above self and that their deliberations will be undertaken with zeal and that the good work started will not stop after the two-day workshop. The UTM deserves our congratulations for having brought together all the stakeholders to think and deliberate on a delicate issue of multi-disciplinary nature in Mauritius. The presence of my colleagues Honourable Xavier Luc Duval, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Social Integration and Economic Empowerment, Honourable Yatin Varma, Attorney General at this ceremony is a reflection of the importance that government is attaching to the national workshop. We rely on them to make the most of the two days they will be there.
I think the problem we are having relative to recidivism is a social one. I consider the Mauritian economy to be a mixed one with 80% capitalism and 20% socialism influence and this relates to frustration in the low class people who inspite of having made a few trials to get a job and eventually failed to do so, turn themselves to be dependent on social aid. Subsequently, they choose to remain dependent on social aid and they are not compelled by the nature of 'earning a living' to work. Who do you blame? Governemnt - NO / The real work starts at home with your kids. The Education system - Yes, may be - are we producing people with skills and competences that correspond to the needs of the potential employers - I doubt. Is the Tertiary Education Commission really doing proper forecasts?
ReplyDeleteThey consequently end up in being alcoholics, drug addicts and rapists because their environment becomes the shopfront of their residence where they start gambling with play of cards, domino, carom, etc...
These so called marginalised people choose to stay in the same poor state they are. Of course, there is the NEF and other NGOs who come with empowerment programs but I am pretty sure that if we go to the statisitics, don't be surprised to see that the outcomes are not promising. How do we evaluate the success of these NEF empowerment programs? If we go on the streets in these outskirts or suburbs, what do we see - the children are abandoned and not to school - incredible, the number of them who are employed below 16 indirectly is a fact there is loophole in the system.
There are actually no bad students but bad teachers and these bad teachers are the parents. Are we really putting up resources to ugrade the child upbringing skills to the parents. Are we giving the psychological counselling and coaching to the new parents especially in the 'ZEP regions'? - I doubt.
I think we should first start to instill the death penalty to create fear in the psychological model of thinking to the mauritians rogues, thus discouraging them to indulge in crimes. Just imagine that every new death execution was preceded by a vehicle round with a special siren and buzzer across the streets to make people aware that a death execution is taking place or will take place - some of you would probably view this as an act of barbarism but NO, we need a secured island where locals, tourists and foreign investors feel safe and comfortable when they walk on the streets at anytime and when they are in their houses. What would you answer to this couple of Albion who were victims of rogues and rapist?
As the saying goes, "you build a school, you close a prison"; education should be given to the so-called marginalised communities and this must be enforced.
As to re-integration of recidivists in the society, I personally do not think this will work in Mauritius as crime statistics show that a good majority of criminals are recidivists. These are the people who know that the prison is a safe heaven for them; so incareceration has to be accompanied by tough jobs and stricter control measures to prevent drug consumption and trafficking inside the prisons.
I am sorry for those who shout against death penalty but the bitter truth is it is a method which will decrease crime rates eventually.
So, this is a nice platform to ponder over the national security of our people.