Convict calls for mandatory educational opportunities, judge agrees

Agreeing with an inmate about the need for education to be mandatory for those serving time at Dodds Prison, Justice Carlisle Greaves said this could be a critical step in reducing recidivism.

“There should be mandatory classes for inmates. You cannot just go up there, lime and sit down when the day comes to plan more crimes. I do not subscribe to a person coming out of prison worse than how they went in,” he said.

He recommended that a cadre of teachers should be assigned to such a venture, and that inmates who did not turn up for classes or participate should have more time added to their sentences.

Justice Greaves pointed out that many incarcerated persons had no certification and providing training in various vocations would give these individuals a better chance of finding employment when they returned to society.

“It would be time and money well spent . . . and this training could divert them away from crime,” he stated.

Justice Greaves made the comments after Deon Dacosta Maynard implored for such a system to be introduced.

Maynard, who had lived in New York for 37 years before being deported to Barbados in 2010, lauded the opportunities he has been granted while incarcerated as he held up several certificates he has earned, including one from NIFCA. 

Currently serving time for the unlawful killing of Arthur Chaderton and his son-in-law Gerhardt Stock on August 2, 2011, Maynard appeared in the No. 3 Supreme Court and pleaded guilty to three other charges.

The Golden Gate, Rendezvous, Christ Church resident admitted to entering the house of Ellen Haynes as a trespasser and stealing money, jewellery and other articles on July 24, 2011, while armed with a knife and firearm.

He also confessed to entering Newbury Minimart, on July 20, 2011, and stealing spectacles valued at $750, $347 in cash belonging to Alecia Scott, $235 and a cell phone valued at $200 belonging to Lorraine Gill, three cartons of cigarettes valued at $77.08, and $417 belonging to the minimart with a total value of $2 026.08 and to entering Belly Full Barbeque Grill as a trespasser and stealing $2 100 belonging to Edward Clarke and Allison Clarke on July 27, 2011.

Principal State Counsel Neville Watson read Maynard’s statements to police regarding each of the burglaries, noting that he was the getaway driver for his accomplices in each case.

The prosecutor submitted 15-year and a 12-year starting sentence for the aggravated burglary and the two burglaries, respectively, and Justice Greaves agreed.

Maynard’s early guilty plea and his five years on remand were then deducted.

He was then ordered to serve five years for the aggravated burglary, and three for the burglaries. These will run concurrently with his current sentence for the double manslaughter.