Caribbean Times 90th issue - Friday 15th April 2016

6 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Friday 15th April 2016
Beyond the gates, 23 to walk free
Joanna Paris
It will be a joyful day for a total of 23
prisoners today, who will breathe a sigh
of relief, as they receive another chance
to live a “wholesome” life.
The inmates are being released under
the convict’s license and under the prerogative
of mercy.
The convict license provides for a
prisoner to serve the remainder of his
time outside of the prison walls.
Superintendent of Her Majesty’s
Prison, Albert Wade, explained that the
license gives persons another opportunity.
“An inmate who is granted a license,
that remaining portion of the sentence to
be served, instead of in the prison, they
will serve it outside, something similar
to parole”, he suggested.
Wade also outlined that there are
conditions associated with the license
that must be adhered to.
“There are certain conditions attached
to the inmate who is granted a
license. For instance, they are not to associate
with known person of bad character
example thieves etc, the must provide
their address or place to residence
to the nearest police station, they should
be able to present the license upon request
to a magistrate or police officer”.
He suggested that the license holder
should therefore have the document in
possession at all times.
The Prison boss said that if any of
these conditions are breached, the person
runs the risk of having their license
Alecia Mc Pherson
Karen Knowles age of
Bathlodge Heights is before
the Court on two separate
charges; dangerous driving
and disorderly conduct.
Both Lisa John- Weste
and husband Loy Weste of
McKinnon’s have made separate
Police reports against
Knowles, which as a result
she’s now answering the
said charges. Mr. Weste and
Knowles were once married
and share a child together.
Allegations are that on
September 8, 2014, sometime
during the morning
hours, Knowles while driving
her vehicle A763, followed
the couple during
their morning commute on
All Saints Road, she positioned
her vehicle in such a
way preventing them from
driving past her.
It is alleged that this was
done by the accused several
times before the couple were
finally able to drive without
hindrance to work.
It is also alleged that Later
that same day, Ms. Weste
While driving alone along
McKinnon’s Main Road
heading in the direction of
town, encountered the accused
once again coming in
revoked and may be returned to prison.
In order to be a beneficiary of the
special program, an inmate should have
good work ethic and be somewhat of a
role model for the other prisoners.
Section 84 (1) of the Constitution,
makes way for Prerogative of Mercy,
under which the Governor General is
petitioned on the inmates’ behalf; the
petitions are forwarded to the Prison Superintendent
for a report on the conduct
and work of the inmate and to the mercy
committee for its consideration.
Knowles facing dangerous driving, disorderly conduct charges
the opposite direction, reports
are the accused veered
over into Weste’s Lane,
causing her to swerve suddenly
to the left corner off
the road to avoid collision.
A report of the matter was
made to the St. John’s police
Station and Knowles was
charged of driving which is
dangerous to the public and
also charged with disorderly
conduct.
In court, Police Corporal
Brandon Thomas attached to
Minor Offence Department,
gave sworn statement of the
said allegations reported to
him by Ms. Weste on September
8, 2014. Knowles’
Lawyer put to Thomas that
his client could’ve veered
into the complainant’s lane
trying to avoid potholes.
Thomas however stated
that, during his investigations
into the report he was
accompanied by Ms. Weste
back to the scene where the
alleged offence took place
and he don’t remember seeing
any potholes on that side
of the road.
The matter was adjourned
to continue on April
19 th , before Chief Magistrate
Walsh in the St. John’s Magistrates
Court.