The  St Andrew Central Police have undertaken the apprehension of children found begging and wiping car windscreens at street corners. This decision is indeed a step in the right direction.Unmistakenly, these children are” in need of care and protection” and need the full support of the state to receive such attention. The time has come also to find the parents or guardians of these children and make them face the Family Court and face their  own responsibilities as parents.

In the face of this vitally important move let us hope that the appropriate facilities will be provided for these children.At all cost, the government should avoid the overcrowded institutions that literally destroy our children in care.

Let us invest in humanity and save our children.

For each child we save is a man /a woman of tomorrow we save. Each one take one for a better Jamaica a better world.

The enquiry into the Armadale tragedy has revealed a very dark side of our being as a society.

The cruel and  inhumane treatment meted out to the children entrusted into the care of the government tears apart the very fabric of respect, love and justice.A very disturbing element that has also showed itself in the unraveling of this tragedy is the misuse of power and authority that has resulted in endemic incompetence and reckless management.

At the head of the stream there is the Children’s Advocate whose responsibility according to the New act is to “protect and enforce the rights of children  and promote  their well being and welfare.”

When the Children’s Advocate became aware of the overcrowded conditions prevailing at Armadale she did not pay a visit to the institution ,but held two meetings in relation to the issue to expedite the matter of reducing the number of children residing at the institution.Obviously, the Children ’s  Advocate was only concerned in reducing the number of children without seeing for herself the suffering of the children who lived in such cramped,unsafe quarters. The Act demands that the Children’s Advocate investigate situations deemed harmful to  children in care .Did she realise that the overcrowded conditions had far reaching consequences that would be very harmful to the children? She had the duty to go and see first hand the inhumane conditions in which the girls were living and report to Parliament.She failed to investigate and use the authority invested in her to bring about changes that would improve the lot of the children in that institution. The fact that she did not go shows a  lack of judgement in the performance of her duty and a misuse of her authority in this issue.Had she been to the institution  she would have heard of the prolonged ,inhumane “lock down” imposed on the girls. She would have spoken to the girls about their needs, their pains and suffering. She did not judge this visit necessary although the welfare of 23 girls depended on her personal assessment.In simple words she showed  incompetence that has contributed to the making of this terrible tragedy.Seven children  have died and nine have been maimed. So what! She is still employed and  life goes on. …

The Commisionner of Corrections knew that the dorm did not meet the international requirements but did nothing to stop the housing of 23 girls in that  particular makeshift dorm. The dorm is unsafe, but let us put the children there  anyway.She obviously did not have the best interest of the girls in mind when she participated in the decision making of housing the girls in the unsafe dorm.The shameful game of blame shifting and hiding behind the shades of responsibilities and duties is revolting.The superintendent devoid of any form of training for such an important job should according to the commisionner bear the brunt of the blame for housing the girls in the unsafe dorm.This attitude on the part of the commisionner very sadly spells out the blatant lack of love and respect due to our children and their God given rights to care and protection.The seven girls perished but she keeps her job. Life goes on….

The superintendent of Armadale feels completely shielded by her ignorance  having had no training for this position.Her profound lack of respect for the welfare and well being of the girls,however, allowed her to run a first class “JAMAICAN STALAG”. She did absolutely nothing to change the rules of prolonged “lock down”. She knew about the use of buckets instead of toilets.She knew the girls did not get enough food and ate with their hands while on “lock down”.She knew that there was only one exit door out of the dorm. She knew that girls slept on the floor in the bathroom . She knew that girls were deprived of the basic form of counselling, of activities meant to rehabilitate them. She knew that the girls did not have an academic program. She knew that the girls had no social contact outside of the contact with the other inmates.She knew that the girls did not receive proper medical care.  She had the duty to report the abuse meted out to the girls but did nothing about it. Seven girls died and nine are maimed so … Surely, she still has her job, gets her pay and again life goes on… 

The C.D.A  in charge of placement when children are sent to a Place of Safety  continues to feed the system regardless of the horrendous conditions.The fact that Armadale was overcrowded was nothing new.The children have to be placed. Behind bars or not;properly fed or not;educated or not ;counselled or not; rehabilitated or not; mentally ill and not treated or not; physically ill and not properly treated or not. So what! the job of placement is done. The executive staff is still employed. They are paid. Life goes on….

The police officer who threw the Han Ball grenade in the dorm is guilty of a very serious crime. His brutal act certainly contributed to the death of the seven girls and the maiming of several others.It was down right criminal.He knew that the girls were locked up in the dorm and could not have escaped the fumes. They were left there to suffocate and die.This is the most outrageous misuse of power and authority in this terrible tragedy. Noone has mentioned that the officer in question has been taken off regular duties pending the outcome of the proceedings so it is understood that he is working and getting his pay. The seven girls have died and life goes on….

The pernicious abuse of authority and power invested in the executive workers will continue to fester and imperil the lives of our children in care.Unfortunately, the political will needed to brave the troubled waters of reckless management and endemic incompetence is sadly lacking. No one cares about the treaties signed. No one cares about the Act. It is just paper work. Furthermore, these children are just “government pickney”.Their lives are expendable. Their numbers will never stop growing. After all ,poor people never stop “breed”. Place the children anywhere , anyway. Some will burn ,some will live. So it go! More will come! Life must go on…

When will we ever see justice for our children in care? TIME WILL TELL AND GOD NOT SLEEPING….

Remember, for every child we save is a man /a woman  of the future we save. Each one take one for a better Jamaica for a better world.

The Armadale enquiry is going on and the unfolding of contradictory evidence by experts continues to  cloud the issue at hand : who is responsible for the death   of  seven girls and the maiming of several others ?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  uestions. 

1- Does the police authority allow the use of Han Ball CS grenades in enclosed environments? What is the policy concerning the use of tear gas and Han Ball CS grenades in enclosed environments?

2-Why was the Han Ball grenade given to corporal Lawrence Burrel  without the proper entry being made in the station’s record book and  without him signing for receiving it?

3-When did the fire inspector examine the site? was it contaminated before his arrival?

4-Did anyone recover fragments  of the grenade thrown into the dorm?

5 -Isn’t it a fact that the Han Ball  CS grenade has inner compartments containing chemicals that explode at different times and scatter landing at different locations thus starting different “seats ” of fire? 

6- Isn’t it a fact that the Hand Ball grenade has chemicals that are similar to chemicals found in gasoline when broken down?

7-Isn’t it a fact that the Han Ball grenade should not be deployed indoors due to its fire producing capability and because it is a fast burning, high volume grenade that scatters when it explodes?

8-Was a Han Ball grenade used at Armadale before May 22nd ?

9-Who gave the order for the deployment of the Han Ball grenade?

10- When did the experts visit the crime scene? Had the scene been contaminated prior to their visit?

11- Who eventually opened the door leading to the dorm?

12-When did members of staff who came to work the following day look into the dorm?

13-The girls being on “lock down” where could they have found the accelerant being referred to by the expert?

14-The girls being on “lock down ” did the authorities search the dorm to ensure that nothing was left in the  possession of the girls that could be harmful to them?

15- There was a television set on a bed and it is said to have exploded. Has anyone tested the chemicals found in that  particular explosion?  

16- Has any medical doctor examine the survivors to  determine the  side effects of the gas and fumes they inhaled?

17-Are the suvivors receiving adequate mental health care after the trauma  of the fire?

18- When was the autopsy performed on the victims?

19-Did anyone search the dorm after the fire to ensure that no one was left inside?

20- Did the superintendent go in the dorm the following  morning? Who was with her if and when she did go?

21-Who took the bodies out of the dorm?

22-Who supervised the removal of the bodies from the dorm?

23- Is corporal Burrel still actively working despite the fact that he is involved in such a serious matter?

The questions abound  and it is hoped that the answers will  shed some light on the burning question:Who is responsible for the death of the seven girls and the maiming of several others? Again I reiterate my cry for justice. JUSTICE  MUST BE GIVEN TO THE VICITMS OF ARMADALE.

It seems that the famous “blame the victim syndrome” is raising its ugly head  in the Armadale enquiry. Will the victims of the Armadale  tragedy see justice? Already the foul smell of” cook up”, set up,” pay up”  ,” cover up”, is wafting in the air. Lord have mercy! we are simply asking for justice . It seems that the screams of our children will forever be unheard. Let justice prevail !!!…These are the nation’s children who perished in a  JAMAICAN  STALAG.   Justice! justice! I cry JUSTICE!

Then the Lord said: “Why have you done this terrible thing? your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground like a voice calling for revenge” Genesis 4:10

Quest For Love 

I was born and raised in a cocoon woven by society.

Prejudices, racism, materialistic values

Had warped my vision of the world.

Classification,stratification were the norm.

Human rights violations the order of the day.

The elite, the chosen few wielded power

Enforcing labour laws that crushed the people

While they themselves reaped all the fruits.

The masses ,abject refuse of society, bore a heavy burden.

The claws of poverty sank into their psyche

As they fought for survival.

Witness of this endemic injustice

I sought comfort from the Mighty  Spirit.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  His balm of peace would some day soothe my troubled mind.

There must be justice, equality,brotherhood.

Barriers must be broken to set the captives free.

In my quest for that love and justice

The Mighty Spirit revealed Himself to me.

In communion with Him I got to know Him.

He was love supreme.

His word spoke of justice,equality, brotherhood.

The elite and the masses were brothers

Equal in his sight.

To all He gave the same flesh ,soul and spirit.

They were all his children  MASTERS OF THE WORLD.

This poem is dedicated to the memory of the victims of Armadale: SEVEN BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WHO BURNT TO DEATH SIMPLY BECAUSE NO ONE CARED.Until we realise that all the children born in the world are all children of God and until we begin to show respect and love to all God’s children we will continue to have tragedies such as the  ARMADALE  TRAGEDY. A special prayer for the girls who have to live with their scars and their pains.

  Well done Mr Witter !The people responsible for these girls should move them at once  from that other hell. Should they fail to do so, you should definitely  take the matter to Parliament. I have said it in previous articles the total disregard for the welfare of children” at risk” and children” in care”  is  revolting and  should be dealt with by applying very drastic measures that will bring meaningful changes in the whole system that oversees children’s affairs. 

The important question in this situation is: who in God’s name placed the girls at  the New Horizon Remand Centre? Who would recommend and approve such a placement after the very recent trauma the girls suffered at Armadale? Even if the girls had a criminal record  in view of their age they should not be sent to an adult facility to be further abused.

Was the placement approved by the C.D.A.?   In view of the fact that  it is obvious that these girls are seriously at risk shouldn’t their case receive a special supervision from the C.D.A the agency responsible for the welfare of all children at risk and children “in care”? Are we going to be told that these cases are out of their jurisdiction?       

 Where is the Children’s Advocate in this particular situation?Isn’t she keeping her finger on the pulse of this horrifying situation? Did she know that these  girls were being transferred to the New Horizon Remand Centre? She occupies a post that demands that she lends a voice to the children of the land who are underfoot.Where is she in such dire times? No wonder the wards went to the enquiry too afraid to talk, too afraid to say that they are getting some serious” big licks” not to talk any more.

In the face of all these developments the enquiry is proving to be a real farce.Seven children dead and no one has been arrested until proven innocent of criminal negligence . Everyone is free while further abuses are being inflicted on these children. What is the purpose of the enquiry? Who is being spared the whip of the law? who should not face the court of law in order to vindicate the dead children.                                                                                                                                             The Prime Minister meant well when he ordered the enquiry, but we are seeing how futile an exercise it is. Intimidated children, adults who are  fabricating , people in authority  abusing the victims once more. The whole thing is beginning to reek like plain murder. We need justice for our children ,justice for children at risk , justice for children in care!!!

Well done Mr Witter! Fight for our children.Fight for the voiceless children of this land.Take the matter to Parliament if you have to.

In closing I will repeat this verse of scripture: And the Lord said” Why have you done this terrible thing? your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground,like a voice calling for revenge Gen 4:10

               ” And the Lord said :”why have you done such a terrible thing? your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground, like a voice calling for revenge” Genesis4:10 

The blood of the seven girls who died in the inferno at Armadale is crying out from the ground to God  for justice.

As the enquiry enfolds and the key witnesses give their evidence it is pretty clear that this tragedy is nothing but the result of gross” criminal negligence “on the part of the administrative staff.

The members of staff who through their crass incompetence, carelessness and callousness have contributed to the occurence of this tragedy should face their own “lock down” in order to give justice to the victims.

It is downright criminal and inhumane to lock 23 girls in a room with very little ventilation for two weeks forcing them to defacate in buckets,sleeping in the stench of their own faeces.It is barbaric and downright cruel. 

It is” criminal negligence” to be responsible for the only key that could open the door in case of emergency and not be able to open the door. The person responsible for this task was wearing a pair of pants too tight to accommodate the key in her pocket.The key was given to someone else and that person also could not open the door. This is” criminal negligence”. No consideration was given to the girls ’safety and their well being when the person in charge of the key gave it to someone else who also did not discharge her responsibility.The girls eventually kicked down the only door but some of the wards died and many were badly injured.

The policeman who threw the tear gas in the dorm  was reckless  and totally uncaring.The girls being locked up in that room were left to choke on the fumes of the tear gas without the option of running out of the room.This is a criminal act. A tear gas canister is capable of emitting sparks which in turn could have started the fire.

The  superintendent who did not take the time to visit the girls to see how they were coping  during the prolonged “lock down”showed an absolute disregard for the welfare of the wards.What level of supervision did she offer to the facility? What was the level of her capacity to provide care and protection  to the wards.  What transpired through her callous  indifference and incompetence constitutes  “criminal negligence” on her part.There were no fire drills, no psychological assessments ,no  case conference,no constructive activities  for the wards , no assessment of the “lock down”method of punishment in order to offer a more caring approach to behaviour modification, no rehabilitation program suited for the needs of the Wards.

What was her assignment?                                                                            

The abusive treatment meted out to the wards typifies the total disregard that slave masters had for their slaves.It was obviously felt that the wards were not worthy of the normal considerations given to children.The wards were made” wards of the government” but in reality they are children.They are all under 18 and therefore are children.Where is the respect for their rights, the care and protection  owed to them in law?There is clear evidence that the welfare of the children was totally ignored. The law states that whatever is being done for a child must be done” in the best interest of the child”. Was it considered” in the best interest” of the wards to have them locked down under such traumatising ,inhumane conditions  for two weeks straight? It is criminal negligence  to impose such sanctions in view of the disastrous consequences of such a sanction.

Whatever the infraction , the “lock down ” is a cruel ,barbaric form of punishment. Did the punishment come as a result of the wards being disruptive and trying to get away from this hell hole? Who in their correct mind would not rebel against such treatment? Only “government pickney suppose to take it” without saying a word. I cry out “criminal negligence”. There must be justice , Justice for the children of the masses, justice for all our children in care!!!

The time for drastic changes in the affairs of our children is now.Time to get rid of the people in   high places in the system who simply do not respect and care about our children.Time to invest in humanity and save our children. Their blood will rest on the conscience of those who neglect  and abuse them.

I have been following the proceedings of the Armadale enquiry. There are very disturbing pieces of evidence and some even more disturbing contradictions in the evidence presented by key witnesses. As the enquiry is enfolding there are some very troubling questions that come to my mind and I would like to share them with the public. 

1-       Armadale being a juvenile correctional facility who is responsible for monitoring the proper administration  of the institution?are there regular inspections of the institution?by whom and how often?

2-Has the C.D.A the agency responsible for the welfare of  all children island wide inspected Armadale to ensure that the wards are well taken care of?

3- Is there a manual for members of staff setting out rules ,regulations and procedures to be followed in various situations especially in crisis situations?

4-Is there a manual for the wards setting out in clear simple form the rules and regulations to which they must abide?

5-Are there regular meetings with the wards to explain the rules and regulations so that the wards can understand the authorities ‘expectations and appreciate the meaning of compliance and discipline?

7-What are the methods of correction  employed by the staff for minor breaches of the rules and regulations?

8-What is the role of the superintendent at the institution? what are her responsibilities and what is the extent of her authority?

9-Who formulated the “lock down” method of punishment?

10-Under what circumstances is the “lock down” applied?

11-The ” lock down” constitutes a very drastic and traumatising form of punishment. Does the superintendent  visit the area of isolation during “lock down” to find out how the wards a coping?

12-Is the room cleaned during “lock down”?

13-When are the buckets cleared after the night ’s use?

14- Is there adequate ventilation in the room where the buckets are used?How many windows are there in the room after the main door has been closed for the night?

15-Are the girls afforded any form of privacy while using the bucket?

16- How many buckets are used in the night by 23 wards?

17- Are the  dirty sanitary pads disposed of on a regular basis during” lock down”?

18-The meals are taken to the wards during “lock down”. How do the wards eat their food?

19-Have the wards undergone a psychological assessment?

20-Do the wards have regular counselling sessions with a psychologist?

21- Is there a medical staff attached to the facility?

22-Are there regular visits from relatives and friends of the wards?

23-What are the educational programs offered to the wards?

24-Are there skill training programs at the institution?

25-Are there regular recreational activities for the wards?

26-Are there any religious activities at the institution?

27-Is there a chaplain attached to the institution?

28-Armadale has a capacity for 45 wards. From what date has the capacity  exceeded the limit?

29-Why should a ward be sent to Fort Augusta which is a prison for female adults?

30 Who  approves the transfer of a ward to Fort Augusta?

31- What are the specific forms of behaviour modification and rehabilitation used at the facility?

32-Will the members of staff who are found to be grossly incompetent be allowed to work in a child care institution in the future?

33-What role has the Children’s Advocate played in overseeing this facility ?

34-What are the recommendations made by the Children’s Advocate that she claims were not implemented ?

35- To whom did the Children’s Advocate  address her recommendations? 

I am sure that there are many people who like myself are asking themselves the very same questions that I have asked . The answer to these questions will help to assess the degree of abuse. Will justice prevail at the end of this enquiry? only time will tell.

 In closing let me share this with you: For every child we save is a man a woman of the future we save. Each one take one for a better Jamaica ,a better world.

The object of this article is to retrace the steps that took some former street children from a situation where they were” in need of care and protection” to a place in their life where they have become dangerous men in need of an intervention that would save them from self destruction.       

Five years ago, I got involved with  fifteen street boys who were at Half- Way- Tree and Liguanea.After many years abroad I had returned home to this phenomenon of children wiping car windshields and begging. I was broken hearted in the face of such a situation and decided to do something about these children.

A closer look at their situation revealed that most of these children  slept in the graveyard next to the St Andrew Parish Church and others slept on the piazza opposite the Half Way Tree Square.My efforts to locate their parents were futile. I realised that the boys were under strict orders not to divulge any information about their parents and where they came from.Providing them with clothing and shoes and a good meal every Sunday was part of my work with the boys.I became their spiritual mother someone they could turn to.

My efforts to get them apprehended also failed. After a meeting with lawyers at the Children’s Advocate’s office a list of the names of the children  was given to the Children’s Advocate’s Office because the Registry was not in operation. The C.D.A should have apprehended these children but nothing was done because of the lack of space in the existing boys facilities and also because of the shortage of staff  to investigate the various cases. There was no intervention  so the children took the only path opened to them: the streets, drugs and crime.

I became aware that there was a program for street children. It was the Possibility Program that operated  from the Office of the Prime Minister.The program had two components ran in conjunction with the St Andrew Parish Church: The Care Centre for the younger children and the Skill Training Center for the older ones.

I volunteered my services as a Remedial Specialist to teach a the Care Center on Ambrook Lane.To my great disappointment the program did not meet the needs of the children and was very badly administered. I realised that the efforts that I was putting at the center were a futile exercise. I withdrew my services. Quite a few of the children had dropped out of the program  and some of the older ones at the Skill Center had also dropped out. The older ones were quickly recruited by the dons of the area.

It became very obvious that the boys who initially were wiping car windshields and begging were now involved in criminals activities.Providing them with lunch on a Sunday and providing clothes and shoes was certainly not what they needed at this stage.They had become users of hard drugs having moved from the ganja spliffs to crack and coke. Many had become involved in homosexual activities and prostitution. Whenever I saw them with very expensive clothes and shoes I was told that some” uptown men” had picked them up.They related these experiences with a lot of anger and shame.

I knocked on many doors ,but failed pitifully in finding a way out for the boys.I watched the years go by.The problems the boys now faced were very crucial and needed an intervention of a different nature than the intervention of the C.D.A. WE were now dealing with young men with very serious behavioural problems due to their use of hard drugs. Their aggressive behaviour became a serious threat to the motorists and to anyone who tried to interact with them. As a  group they no longer enjoyed the support of each other. There were violent fights for “funds” used for the purchase of drugs.Life had become much more difficult and dangerous.They were no longer children and teenagers “begging a money” but angry and frustrated young men who wanted out of their situation at any cost.Many had children and their” baby mothers”  to support.The gang and the dons could not meet those demands. Life had become a real hell hole.

The motorists  who used to give them a few dollars often reacted quite angrily to their aggression.One of the boys got slashed with a cutlass when he threw dirty water in a driver’s face. He lost the use of two fingers. Another one got stabbed in the chest when he aggressed a driver.The”boys”now men  were  recruiting their own gang members and they were ruthless in the manner they treated the young recruits.I once had to take one to the Andrews hospital  where he got seventeen stitches to his face. A young recruit had retaliated  quite violently to his aggression and slashed him in the face with a broken bottle.The “boys” now full fledged members of very dangerous gangs with connection  in Montego Bay  need a miraculous intervention to turn their life around.

To date six of the  street boys have died under violent circumstances victims of gang related crimes and in the commission of criminal activities they had engaged in.The last one to die is “Dex”. He had left the Possibility Program a month prior to  his death. Why did he leave the program to go back to a life of crime? This is serious food for thought…When I saw his lifeless body  on the hot asphalt I questioned the value of life in this society.The  big question that poses itself is: what can be done for these young men?Who will intervene and stop them on their track to self destruction? 

As I assess this situation , I cannnot help but ask these troubling questions: had the C.D.A apprehended these children, had they received an education; learnt a skill would they be today dying clutched in the vicious grip of poverty and helplessness?

Government after government have allowed the affairs of children to be in breach of almost every law pertaining to children and almost  every rule of  the various conventions dealing with children.In 1991 Jamaica signed the Convention on the Rights of Children. This was a political move totally devoid of the respect and love owed to children of the land specially the ones in “need of care and protection”.

A look at the overcrowded  Places of Safety and the archaic methods of placement of children in care together with the draconian methods of correction employed in child care institutions, a survey of the programs for boys at risk will give us a palpable proof of the blatant violations that exist in the affairs of children at risk and children in care.

Millions have been spent on luxurious hotels for tourists and lavish sports facilities now going to waste. Millions have been spent on futile political exercises while the children entrusted to the care of the government live in sub human conditions condemned to take the road to poverty and self destruction.

As I am writing this article the Armadale enquiry is taking place.We are mourning the death of seven girls who died under the most horrific circumstances at Armadale a correctional facility for girls.As a people we want to know how the girls died and we want justice to prevail in this issue,but will there be the political will to make the necessary changes in the administration of children’s affair?. Will we  begin  to invest in humanity and offer to the children the proper care, the education and the proper accommodation  they deserve? 

As much as it hurts, the reality is that the lack of  respect for the basic rights of the girls at Armadale caused their death. The girls rebelled because of the abuse meted out to them and because they simply could no longer tolerate the dehumanising conditions under which they lived.

Parallel to the Armadale tragedy is the street boys tragedy. Will the government accept liability for the death of the girls at Armadale and the street boys tragedy? Will the government undertake a rescue operation for children at risk and stretch the hand of respect and love to the neglected and rejected children of the land?

I sincerely pray that the death of the girls of Armadale, the death of the street boys and the plight of the street men will be the catalyst of change in the affairs of children .Only time will tell.To conclude I would like to repeat the words of the Mothers of the World motto: FOR EVERY CHILD WE SAVE IS A MAN A WOMAN OF TOMORROW WE SAVE. EACH  ONE TAKE ONE FOR A BETTER JAMAICA FOR A BETTER WORLD.

On the 22nd of May 2009 a fire broke out at the Armadale Correctional Facility for girls . Seven girls perished in the fire. The Prime Minister ordered an enquiry into this tragedy. The following article pojects my personal assessment of this horrifying situation  and a few recommendations .    

                                                                                                                                                                                        Another girl from Armadale, a correctional institution for girls, has died. The seventh in a tragedy that has left the Jamaican society reeling in grief .

Are we going to bury with these seven girls  the hope for drastic changes in the affairs of our    ” children in care”     or has this tragedy stirred enough resolve in our spirit to demand that the rights of our “children in care”    be respected?

The Government in whose hands lie the welfare, the protection, the education and care of these children should take full responsibility for the death of the fire victims of Armadale and should begin to pay special attention to the restructuring  of the system responsible for’”children in care.”

The centralization of children’s affairs should be a priority As it stands,   the fragmentation of the system that oversees the care ,protection and education of” children in care” creates crucial problems that have become endemic and are adversely affecting the welfare of” children in care” – thus the Armadale tragedy. 

The present method of placement of children should be radically changed  and the laws that enforce parental responsibilities applied.

Children who have been raped or sexually abused should be placed in an ” emergency treatment home ” with caregivers who are trained to understand their particular situation.

Children coming from a broken home  should be placed in a ” Group Foster Home “. There in a substitute family setting they will be raised in an environment much more nurturing than what is offered in the places of safety.They will attend school and will not be deprived of an academic education.Their parents should be under a court order attend parenting classes in order to be better equipped to receive their children in the family fold.

Children with very dysfunctional behavioral problems should be placed in a “specialized group home” where the ratio of children to staff is such that due care and attention can be paid to the children in order to effect lasting rehabilitation.The parents should, under court order, participate in the rehabilitation process of their children in order to be prepared for the return of their children in the family fold.The children and young people with very severe behavioural problems do not belong in adult correctional facilities and certainly not in facilities where they are treated like hardcore criminals. 

The overcrowded Places of Safety at this stage  certainly do not offer adequate care to” children in care” and should be phased out.

At this time of our history unfortunately our” children in care” are treated as the rejects of society.Their human rights are blatantly violated by the very people in authority who should offer them care and protection when their parents have failed to do so.

A look at the Places of Safety will show beyond the shadow  of a doubt that the conditions there are the source of the most horrendous and revolting forms of abuse.

The psychological impact of life in an overcrowded ,dehumanising environment stays with the children for ever. In essence the children are psychologically maimed and their development tragically stunted.

Deprived of love,of respect ,of tender care, deprived of the basic academic education, they are thrown in a mould of inferiority, helplessness and hoplessness unable to fulfill their God given right to play a role in the life of their country and attain their full potential as human beings.

When their very souls are saturated with the pain of abuse and a dehumanising life they rebel. When their rage has reached boiling point and they themselves have reached the very edge they rebel. Very sadly, however, their rebellious behaviour is curbed with further abuse in the form of the most inappropriate corrections. No one takes the time to probe, to understand and soothe the troubled minds. Brute force cannot replace love, respect and understanding.

When the physical layout of a building can accomodate forty children and ninety- two children are made to coexist in such limited space it is obvious that there is absolutely no respect given to the rights of the children.There is no respect for their dignity, their own space, their own needs ,their thoughts, their wishes and their pain, their hope and aspirations.

In these overcrowded conditions sexual aggression and deviant sexual behaviour become rampant.Girls rape each other using a piece of broomstick, glass bottles greased with “hair oil”. These attacks leave the victim with a severely lacerated vagina and a very torn psyche.When  dominant girls hold a weaker one down and with a sharp object carve  their mark of possession on her body that victim is marked for life. The strongest and the most violent prevail.

Boys experience sexual abuses just like the girls . Again the strongest prevail and the abuses continue in the most brutal forms.These problems are often ignored or are very casually swept under the rug.

Deprived of the most basic form of academic education these children remain functionally illiterate falling sadly into the category of the unemployable later on in life.

I have said it in previous articles we are failing our children. Their tears as blood will stain the conscience of those who abuse them and trample on their rights.

This state of affair in various child care institutions typifies the days of slavery. The” haves” the” masters” enjoy the luxury of a good life that allows them to offer care ,protection and education to their offsprings,whereas, mothers in the masses often have to turn to the state to help them care for their children. These children just like the children of the field slaves have no right and no voice. They will suffer the crushing humiliation of being “government pickney” the rejects of society till one day their “bile bag buss” and they rebel.At Armadale their rebellion was viciously squahed. The girls were tear-gassed and forced to face the inferno of the burning building behind bars.

My heart cries out when I think of the anguish, the fear, the excrutiating pain, the girls of Armadale must have felt.The questions abound: Who cares? why the tear gas? why the rebellion?What were the instructions given by the Child’s Advocate that she says were not implemented?Why wasn’t there a follow up to see that the wrongs were rectified?In whose hands lie the guilt and the responsibility ? Will justice prevail and the people guilty of negligence be made to face the law?… Time will tell…

The Prime Minister deeply moved by this tragedy has ordered an inquiry. Will the truth ever come out? Will the affairs of our” chilren in care” ever be managed with a genuine respect for their rights as children of the land?…

In closing, I would like to say a word of encouragement to the various members of staff in the system who regardless of the shortcomings serve the children with all their heart.Keep up the good work because for every child we save it is a man ,a woman we save.

To the girls who lost their lives may you rest in peace. May the tears that you shed be not in vain. May your blood be the force that will bring about changes in the affairs of “children in care.” May justice and respect prevail.