Female prisoner Natasha De Leon, who has been behind bars for the last 23 years, yesterday advised the inmates at the Youth Training Centre (YTC) to capitalise on all opportunities afforded them while still incarcerated.
“Make yourself marketable and productive, not just because the courses are being offered, but because you want to make amends to society and be able to be accepted again when you regain your freedom. So that society can see that change in you. And you see that little voice in your head telling you not to do it...Don’t do it!” she admonished.
De Leon, along with Darren Roger Thomas, were tried and convicted on November 9, 1995, for the brutal murder of Princes Town taxi driver Chandranath Maharaj in 1993. The couple, who were sentenced to death, had their convictions commuted to life in prison in 2008.
A composed sounding De Leon and fellow inmate, Shelly-Ann Anganoo, are members of the YTC’s mentoring programme.
The pair spoke yesterday during an event, marking T&T’s participation and inclusion in a global tour by the US-based Youth for Human Rights International organisation.
The event was a collaborative effort of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) and the National Alliance of Faith and Justice’s POP Programme (Pen, as in penitentiary or Pencil representing education), both out of the US. The tour was co-ordinated by Krishna Bedassie, the officer in charge of training, treatment and programmes at YTC.
In addressing the audience, De Leon also recalled the disregard for basic rights to even water and being treated as a criminal even before being sentenced.
However, she also cautioned the inmates who entered the prisons system with “bad attitudes” and then complained about officers who infringed on their rights.
Adding a little humour to the sombre event, Anganoo stated that indulging in criminal activities means one has given up his or her fundamental rights and replaced it with these:
“You have the right to be silent, you have the right to an attorney...”
Anganoo, who has been in prison for over 13 years, also noted that individuals had the responsibility to ensure they themselves did not infringe on the rights of others. She and three others were convicted of the murder of retired school teacher Ralphy Ramcharan in 2003.
After first being sentenced to 20 years hard labour, in 2011 the Court of Appeal granted Anganoo a five-year reduction in her sentence. De Leon was a minor when she committed the crime.
Don’t give up on country’s youths
Mary Shuttleworth, president of the human rights organisation, presented a video on the history of the inception and evolution of human rights. The audience was encouraged in an interactive and informative session on the 30 rights of a human being handed down through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights created in 1948 by the United Nations. Today, 192 countries are members of the UN.
Trinidad-born Carlyle Holder, who headed one of the largest prisons in the US, spoke on behalf of the NABJ and called on the public not to “give up on the country’s youths”. Vernice Robertson represented the NAFJ.
Elvin Scantlebury, YTC superintendent and incumbent president of the Prisons Youth Club, called on the inmates to take heed of all they had learnt, as well as the many opportunities available to them both in and outside of the prison system.
Entertainment was provided by Santa Rosa inmate/vocalist, Dillion Warwick, as well as flautists, YTC inmate Akeil Mitchell and Dean Joseph of Miracle Ministries International, Chaguanas.
Vernon Trotman offered an original calypso piece, cautioning youths to stay away from a life of crime and the misguided notion that it offered a sense of fame.
The event ended with a performance by the US-based marching band Knowledge Is Power Programme (KIPP) and an invitation for attendees to visit the booths of over 18 youth groups in the country.
Valdeen Shears-Neptune