AS the relative of a prisoner committed to stand trial in the High Court, a recent newspaper article has been the source of great anxiety and concern for me and my family. I refer to the article on the Jail Delivery for the January Demerara Assizes, which commenced January 10, 2012. I also noted that a total of 226 cases are listed for the session. According to the article, only six cases were concluded at the end of the last session – three each by the respective judges. At this rate, Mr. Editor, I can see that my relative will be languishing in jail for some time and this is very painful for us, especially his wife and children, because we know all too well the hardships and suffering that prisoners have to endure daily.
Some prisoners  died recently at the Georgetown Prison. Doesn’t this send a message to the President, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Chancellor, and the Chief Justice that something is wrong?
Why can’t they come up with some creative solution to the problem of the huge backlog in cases? After all, they are the ones with the power and authority to make a difference. There must be something that can be done to help in speeding up the trials, thereby reuniting families and ensuring that persons who do not belong in prison are released soonest. I call on all concerned to break their silence on this matter. Lives are at stake. Not only that of the prisoners, but of their dependants.
And to the authorities, I say show that you genuinely care, and act now! Let’s not be creative in our thinking only on certain issues.