00:00The possibility of parole for convicted persons is just one of many changes to the judicial system which Justice Minister
00:08Devish Maraj revealed to the media.
00:10Officiating at an unrelated function in his constituency, he was questioned by TV6 News about possible changes to the judicial
00:18system to supplement the fight against crime.
00:21The minister had earlier cut the ribbon for the official opening of the multi-million dollar Trinidad and Tobago IVF
00:28and Fertility Center at the Icon Plaza in Aranguas.
00:32I understand it's a huge investment, over 4 million USD, in Aranguas and St. Joseph.
00:39So I am pleased that the government is always encouraging new, enterprising, innovative forms of business.
00:46I understand this is the most modern in the Caribbean.
00:50So we welcome it.
00:51It was while Minister Maraj spoke with the media, TV6 News took the opportunity to get an update from him
00:58about matters concerning his ministerial portfolio.
01:01In terms of the issue of the reform of the judicial system, where do things stand presently in terms of
01:08that?
01:09There's a lot of initiatives to improve the justice system.
01:14For example, we are working very closely with the judiciary itself to ensure that we have functional courtrooms.
01:22We are working very closely with the forensic science center to clear backlogs to ensure that criminal trials proceed.
01:30Quickly, we have had a huge backlog in our topsy reports, which we have added.
01:35We have added six persons to the DNA lab to clear that backlog as well.
01:42It was at this point Minister Maraj revealed that there will be new legislation for the justice system.
01:47We are bringing certain amendments to the Constitution for the right of reasonable trial, a quick trial, right of the
01:57accused trial within a reasonable time.
02:00There's a parole act, parole bill, sorry, which we bring into Parliament shortly to bring parole, introduce parole to the
02:08criminal justice system.
02:10Parole, by most definitions, is the conditional supervised release of a prisoner before the full completion of their sentence, allowing
02:18reintegration into society under strict rules.
02:20Parole in parts of the U.S., for example, is usually determined by a parole board.
02:26TV6 users sought a clarification from the Justice Minister.
02:29The bill for parole, is that a first for Trinidad and Tobago, as far as you know?
02:32It will be a first for Trinidad and Tobago, and soon it will be laid in the Parliament.
02:39Justice Minister Maraj did not provide any further details about that, but he did reveal there are other bills he
02:45plans to bring to Parliament.
02:47We have been introducing amendments to the Probation Act, and quite importantly, we have been introducing the Victims' Rights Bill
02:56to provide rights and so on for victims of crimes.
03:00It's a whole suite of legislation that we are bringing.
03:04Minister Maraj said the government is working on making justice, quote, accessible and quicker, end quote.
03:10Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:14Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
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