Charity urges investigation into GIS allegations

A charity that works to transform the lives of women and girls caught in juvenile crime and sex work has called for an investigation into alleged injustices taking place at the Government Industrial School (GIS) following reports of a 14-year-old ward, naked, in solitary confinement.

In an official statement on the heavily publicized incident, Jabez House condemned the alleged treatment of the teen, declaring that it stands in solidarity with other voices, including the #ProtectOurGirls movement.

“Furthermore, we call upon the authorities to not only carry out an investigation into this incident but many other matters which have been reported over the years,” the statement read.

The correspondence also indicated that in 2014, Jabez House created and spearheaded a weekly mentorship programme, aimed at not only providing support to girls while in custody but also the provision of necessary aftercare support.

Jabez House claimed the programme was shut down after its team of 10 mentors became aware of many injustices, cases of abuse, inappropriate conduct of staff members and revictimization of the girls in custody.

The charity stated: “Burdened and extremely concerned with what was happening, the leader of the team, Mrs Shamelle Rice, reported the concerns of the violations to those in charge. In no time, the mentorship programme which was two years in, was abruptly and immediately cancelled and access was no longer granted into the institution. No clear explanation was given as to the reason behind this decision.”

Even after the programme was suspended, efforts were made to have the programme re-instituted but to no avail, it said.

Since then, Jabez House said it continued to learn of further incidents, and violations of the human rights of female wards at GIS, and persisted in pursuing efforts to bring the incidents to the attention of authorities.

Jabez House said: “It is time for justice to be served for the young women being held at the Government Industrial School (GIS) who are expected to be protected, not abused and victimized.

“Something must be done immediately to address these injustices. Action must be taken swiftly against those bringing harm to the young girls at that institution.”

This week, children’s advocate Shelly Ross called for heads to roll at GIS over the incident involving the 14-year-old and many other allegations which she said she had been informed about. (AH)