Prison and officers benefit from CARSI
It was once known as the Merida Initiative but that has now changed and the US sponsored project is now known as the Central American Regional Initiative. Belize today received a donation of some fifty thousand dollars under the initiative. At a presentation today, The Kolbe foundation got equipment for security management. New Five’s Jose Sanchez was at the Hattieville prison today for the event.
Mel Auil, Chief Executive Officer, Kolbe Foundation
“The entire program is for security management. The computers will go towards records and processing departments. We’ll be upgrading …we’ll also be receiving leg irons, cuffs for legs, and waist irons to put at legs of inmates, we’ve received in the past, handcuffs the program I believe will continue for the next year or two.”
The Minister of National Security Carlos Perdomo and the Charge D’ Affaires for the US Embassy, J.A. Diffily, signed for the transfer of the equipment. The US representative spoke of the goals of CARSI.
J.A. Diffily ,Charge D’ Afaires -US Embassy
“The Central America Regional Security Initiative, or Carsi, formerly known as the Merida Initiative, Central America, one goal of CRASI is to improve the …of the criminal justice system. As the only prison in Belize this facility is charged with detaining all convicted criminals in Belize including the worst offenders and gang bangers. The people who work here rarely get mention for the work they do here. The the safety of all Belizeans is put at risk. This initiative also provides training…prison admin and operational procedures. While not the largest aspect in funding is perhaps the most important.”
Carlos Perdomo, Minister of National Security
“The eight people who went on the training were specially selected, went through procedures…honesty, choosing for the future and seeing how we can develop this place in the next fifteen twenty years.”
Anthony Sankey, Chief Officer, Kolbe Administration
“We also did training and certification in the use of chemical munitions, chemical agents as a part of enforcement. We covered one week of training for trainers which allows us with the ability to deliver training for other staff members at Kolbe. And that is in conjunction with our ongoing development and establishment for our training academy.”
Colive Casimiro, Chief Operations Officer, Prison
“The training at New Mexico was very important…with the use ..of leg iron and more constraints…we have a few inmates who ..our tenants at times get unruly or get in trouble. The restraints are very important.”
In addition to restraints, the eight officers were also instructed on the use of force. Donald Griffith, who is in charge of the quick response team at Kolbe, spoke about the proper use of force.
Donald Griffith, Principal Officer, Prison
“We learn to use minimal force…they teach you with more moves, they teach you moves, pressure points to subdue and take down somebody.
Jose Sanchez
You don’t hurt them that much?
Donald Griffith, Principal Officer, Prison
“The only they get is the initial take down. The point is to get them on the ground to put on restraints on them handcuff and so forth.”
Colive Casimiro
“The fact that we need to communicate more with our imates. That again is paramount over there that we need to speak with individuals before doing anything. So for me coming back home, most of these things will definitely be a plus to us. And it has been implemented from we were back in a couple days.”
