Crime and how Caymanians being kept out of the work force
The Problem
· 10,000 or 20% of population has a criminal conviction
· Grand Court had 118 pending cases in January 2015 with 23 of those cases from 2012
· The Summary Courts deal with about 10,000 cases in a year. In 2004 there were 4341 Summary Court cases and in 2008 it was around 9678.
· 582 warrants for arrest outstanding.
· Over 660 firearm license holders many with multiple guns nearly 2,000 guns doubling in last 5 years from 300.
· 6 firearms missing or stolen 2012-2013. Only 20% of firearm holders checked annually.
· There are (two) licensed firearm holders with pending criminal charges: one in the Cayman Islands and one in a U.S. Territory.
· 70-80% of the prison population for drug consumption
· Several hundred on police bail
· One of world’s highest prison populations per capita.
· 50 pending court cases in the Cayman Islands have recently been stopped or stayed by the Summary Court as a result of prosecution and police failures to pursue them
The Solution
1. Decriminalization by changing minor offences such as possession of small amounts of ganja, consumption, minor traffic offences to be dealt with by administrative fines and ticket system.
2. Removal of minor and ancient offences from Penal Code and other laws.
3. Reduction of penalties for non-violent offences. There is no regarded empirical data that more severe sentences make less crime.
4. Amendment of the Rehabilitation of Offenders law. Presently a fine will take 5 years to expunge and up to 6 months will take 7 years. This will make convicted persons more marketable in the work force.
5. Review of thousands of pending Summary Court cases to dismiss: aged cases, cases where prosecution unlikely to succeed, minor cases, cases especially assault where both parties agree termination. To be done by panel of judge, prosecutor and lawyer.
6. Early release of non-violent offenders.
7. Introduction of a plea bargain system similar to Jamaica legislation introduced 2005.
8. Termination of private ownership of firearms except police. Removal of multi gun ownership.600 firearm holders cannot hold 60,000 hostage.
9. Term limits for DPP and AG.
10. Introduction of a Caymanian only community service non-police unit. Caymanian lead community officer unit reporting to Deputy Governor. Provides employment, provides employment for young persons at risk, give people a stake in community. This is an established service in the UK.
Sources:
http://www.caymanreporter.com/2015/02/13/20-population-criminal-conviction/
http://www.caymanreporter.com/2015/02/27/582-warrants-arrest-outstanding/
http://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/cayman-islands
http://www.compasscayman.com/observer/2010/06/27/How-many-guns-on-Cayman-/
https://caymannewsservice.com/2015/02/calls-decriminalise-ganja/
http://www.caymanreporter.com/2015/02/13/20-population-criminal-conviction/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/22/criminal-record-employment_n_5372837.html
http://jis.gov.jm/plea-bargaining-act-finally-gets-regulations/
http://rjrnewsonline.com/local/senior-cop-calling-for-implementation-of-plea-bargaining-law
