Forde makes case for prison reform

RESTITUTION CENTRES can be viable alternatives to incarceration, says criminologist Yolande Forde.

Forde, who said she supported hard labour as opposed to a person being incarcerated and sitting idly in a cell, said with the creation of restitution centres, offenders would be provided with a place to live and a source of income.

However, she suggested that out of the income they should pay for their room and board, meals, and pay victims and any court ordered fees. Whatever was left back could be put into a savings account.

Speaking on Starcom Network’s Brass Tacks Sunday radio call-in programme, Forde said a programme like that did not need to be more than nine months long and was one of the community-based sentencing options which could be placed at the disposal of the courts. (LK)

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