May 31, 2001 – A bill to create a "boot camp" in the territory for young criminals was approved by the Senate Government Operations, Planning and Environmental Protection Committee Wednesday after being amended to restrict the ages of those eligible.
In its original form, the bill, sponsored by Sen. Lorraine Berry, provided for an alternative residential correctional program for persons ages 12 to 25 who had been convicted of committing offenses prior to their 16th birthday. The amended version makes the age range 18 to 22.
Human Services Commissioner Sedonie Halbert and Attorney General Iver Stridiron both objected to the broader age range. Halbert also said the boot camp could duplicate services because the Youth Rehabilitation Center on St. Croix is for young people in that age group.
The YRC has come under criticism in the past for overcrowded conditions and for housing violent criminals with young persons convicted of lesser crimes. Both pointing this out, Stridiron and Halbert suggested the bill be amended to restrict the camp to youths 18 to 22. They also noted that many boot camps on the mainland are moving away from an orientation to military discipline and toward a more treatment-oriented model.
Berry said the camp would be funded by grants from the Law Enforcement Planning Commission. Stridiron cautioned that it might not be wise to tie a long-term program to the granting process. The bill was reported out to the Rules Committee.
Early in the meeting another bill sponsored by Berry, to remove the Legislature from the rezonong process, was tabled unanimously. The bill would give jurisdiction for rezoning exclusively to the Planning and Natural Resources Department. Berry said the measure addresses public concerns about the increasing number of "spot" zonings approved by the Legislature.
Dean Plaskett, PNR commissioner, told the lawmakers that since the territory has no comprehensive land and water use plan, a public hearing before the Senate and his department best satisfies the needs of all concerned parties involved.
Committee chair Donald "Ducks" Cole said he wouldn't support any measure giving away legislative responsibility. He also told Plaskett that he has drafted legislation for a water and land use plan but did not say when it would reach the Senate floor.
In other action, the committee:
– Approved a permit for the Public Works Department to reconstruct the Water Island ferry dock at Providence Point, which was destroyed by storms. The work is federally funded and is to be completed by July of 2002.
– Forwarded to Rules a bill to increase the penalties for animal cruelty.
– Forwarded to Rules a bill requiring Public Works to comply with all territorial and federal earth change laws when constructing roads or capital improvement projects.
– Tabled bills that would give the Government Employees Retirement System board the power to lend and borrow money and would promote employment of people with disabilities and declare the first week in October as "Virgin Islands Employ People with Disabilities Week."
A bill titled the "Pollution Environmental Leadership and Pollution Prevention Act" was withdrawn at the request of its sponsor, Sen. Roosevelt David.
Attending the meeting were committee members Adelbert Bryan, Cole, David, Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, Carlton Dowe and Celestino White Sr. Berry was the only senator present who is not a member of the committee.
