Moonilal: calls for urgent JSC meeting over non monitoring of electronic monitoring

A meeting of the Joint Select Committee on National Security must be summoned urgently for a full explanation on how the first convict for human trafficking absconded from legal custody.

The escape of Anthony Michael Smith is a grave national security matter not only because he was the first convict for this dastardly crime but also since electronic bracelets are specially designed and carefully monitored. The critical legislation on electronic monitoring was passed by the People’s Partnership government led by Kamla Persad Bissessar.

Such bracelets should meet international standards and emit signals to a nearby computer at any attempts to escape custody. Heads must roll over this scandal of a human trafficker trafficking himself out of supervision, and possibly out of the justification.

The fact that Smith managed to elude the authorities is both scandalous and deeply disturbing.

The Electronic Monitoring Unit of the Ministry of National Security has a critical responsibility to the country for this horrifying lapse and must account to the JSC.

Disgraced Minister Fitzgerald Hinds must account to the people of Trinidad and Tobago for this outrageous development, and must explain what actions are being taken by the Unit to avert a repeat.

The escape of the convicted criminal raises urgent and serious questions about whether murderers and other hard-core felons could also flee custody and commit more offences.

This disgrace is another huge blemish on Mr. Hinds, who is a walking embodiment of incompetence, bluster and shame.

It again exposes the habitually bungling and inept Rowley Administration and its chronic inability to get even routine matters right.