Garth Rattray

When I watched newly released life-sentence parolee and ex-death row inmate, Earl Pratt, strutted out of prison resplendently attired in a three-piece suit, hat and accessorised cellular telephone, I truly thought that he looked clownish. But, when he apologised for taking part in the October 6, 1977 murder of gang-mate Everton 'Junior' Missick, I began to take him seriously because he appeared to be a reformed man.

I have very strong negative feelings about criminals. Murders and rapists occupy a special place in my mental picture of hell because these crimes represent the epitome of cruelty and disrespect for God and fellow human beings. It was, therefore, curiosity that kept me glued to the tail-end of the intriguing and informative Cliff Hughes, Impact TVJ interview with Mr. Pratt. I was finally convinced that Pratt was genuine about his contrite overtures towards the family of his victim and his strong desire to make amends to society.

Sentence transformation

There was a time when a prison sentence transformed convicts and their families into pariahs. If a close relative or spouse was imprisoned, the disgrace would force civil servants to resign their jobs. Over time, the societal pendulum swung to such a degree that some ex-cons (especially entertainers and well-known public figures) enjoy fame and fortune because of their stints behind bars. Many wear their ex-con status like a badge of honour and are sometimes revered for 'surviving the system'. Because of this, a lot of the impact of incarceration has been nullified as some convicts released back into society take on heroic proportions. Many inner-city youths emulate ex-cons for their (erroneously perceived) 'toughness'.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Mr. Pratt's very public humility, regret and declaration that his greatest desire (having been released from prison) was to speak to our vulnerable youth in order to dissuade them from a life of crime and debunk the impression that criminality equates with bravery and 'badness'.

Pratt's fervour to speak out in order to help set things right in society is admirable and it occurred to me that a policy of having ex-cons as ambassadors of lawful living and restorative justice is essential. Crime is 'multifactorial'. It is rooted in poverty, our deficient educational system, poor employment opportunities and the social mores of underprivileged communities. It will certainly take more than a few words from ex-convicts to stem the bloody tide of crime and violence, but it's a start.

Reduced custodial sentences

Apologies to victims and/or their relatives should be mandatory. Convicts should be offered reduced custodial sentences in exchange for organised talks to our at-risk youth. Not only should the Parole Board grant parole to an applicant if it is satisfied that - 'the grant of parole to the applicant will not, in the opinion of the Board, constitute a danger to society' (The Parole Act, section 7 c), but, additionally, the Parole Board should seek to make the parolee an asset to society. Part of his/her rehabilitation, eligibility for and conditions of parole should be to openly denounce crime and violence and to 'testify' to the youth, many of whom continue to glorify and romanticise gangsterism, criminals, gunmen and convicts. Some ex-cons even return to leadership roles within garrison communities.

We should not allow the brutal 1977 murder of Everton Missick, Earl Pratt's 30-year incarceration, unusual punishment, reprieve, release from prison and ongoing crusade to reform wayward youth to go in vain. We should seize this opportunity to help reduce the scourge of crime that plagues our island.