Weekes calls for halfway house

The Chief Magistrate has called for a facility/halfway house where those with psychiatric issues and drug dependencies can be taught skills and given counselling as part of their re-integration into society.

The call from Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes came as he dealt with Atiba Oneal Farrell who was in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

“I will have to research Canada and other places to see, because I believe there are places where we can have them still contribute to society and do certain things in a more structured environment.

“But as it stands, there are quite a few people like him with challenges that don’t necessarily fit into the set-up. Maybe we need a facility where it is a little more structured. It would not be a prison,” he said. (HLE)

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