PM introduces bill for T&T Gun Court

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced on Sunday the immediate introduction in Parliament of several pieces of legislation that will improve the criminal justice system and assist in the fight against crime.

They include a bill to abolish preliminary enquiries and the establishment of a Gun Court.

The Abolition of Preliminary enquires Bill will immediately increase the capacity of the Magistrates courts system so that it can better cope with hundreds of new cases, she said.

She added that the Gun court will deal with all firearms related offences or all offences in possession or in use of a firearm. Other measures include:

1. Electronic Monitoring Bill, which will allow police to use GPS technology to track the movements of defendants. This will also allow judicial officers an alternative option when granting bail and sentencing. For example, bail may be granted on the condition that the defendant wears a bracelet that allows the police to monitor his movements which is restricted by order of the court within a one mile radius from his home. It can also be creatively used as part of sentencing in lieu of the custodial sentence 
2. The DNA Bill, which is necessary to repeal the existing law that has caused much dissatisfaction in the police service. The new Bill will allow for the compulsory taking of DNA samples and the establishment of a proper DNA lab to store these samples in keeping with what obtains in other countries. This has proven to be a most powerful tool in the detection and investigation of crime 
3. New prison rules to replace archaic and out dated ones originally drafted in 1838 and have been the subject to subsequent ad hoc amendments. The new prison rules will emphasise rehabilitation and restorative justice and will be fully compliant with our International Human Rights obligations 

The People's Partnership promised to introduce these crime fighting measures during the campaign for the 2010 general election.