May 17, 2013 at 3:44 p.m.
A new law to crack down on contraband in prisons was today tabled by National Security Minister Michael Dunkley.
And a further law to make it easier to put ill-gotten gains seized from crooks to good use was also put forward by the Minister.
Mr Dunkley said: “Strong policy initiatives require a strong legislative foundation. This Government promised action in 2012’s election campaign and in the previous session of this honourable house I indicated that specific legislation would be forthcoming to assist in the fight against guns, gangs, drugs and violence.”
He added: “The Prison Amendment Act 2013 will make it an offence for anyone to bring prohibited, high-risk items into any prison.
“Highlighted in that list is the cell phone or any parts of one.
“Secondly, the Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act 2013 creates the mechanism for ‘cash back for communities’.
“We promised in the election campaign that the proceeds of crime would be put to use improving the communities affected. This bill will achieve that.”
Earlier, Mr Dunkley told MPs that “a structure has been put in place around gang mediation” and that a trained professional had been appointed as a lead and a structure had been set up through a local charity.
Mr Dunkley said: “Direct intervention with gang members is an effective strategy to ensure that disputes do not evolve into shootings.”
He added that specially-trained police officers would also target schools through the reintroduction of the GREAT gang education programme in a bid to divert youngsters away from a life of crime.
Mr Dunkley said: “Education is a key component in any anti-gang strategy and I am pleased to advise this honourable house that we will start with eight schools and we intend to expand to more. Early intervention with alternatives to the gang lifestyle is critical.”
In addition, Mr Dunkley said that the previously announced Gun Bounty programme – which offers substantial cash rewards for information leading to the recovery of firearms and ammunition – had been launched this week.
Calls are treated as anonymous by independent charity Crime Stoppers and are routed through a US centre.
Mr Dunkley said that periods of “relative calm” in the gang warfare that has rocked the island were welcome.
But he warned: “However, these periods do not allow us to rest on our laurels. In fact, we should work even harder.
“Make no mistake, the era of gang violence and shootings has not ended.”
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