The new Level One Medical Unit significantly expands healthcare available directly to inmates, providing routine and urgent medical care as well as services addressing chronic diseases, mental health, dental care and sexual and reproductive health.
The facility includes consultation and treatment rooms, a dental unit, nurses’ station and asthma unit, supported by approximately EC$103,000 in medical and dental equipment.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George said the establishment of the improved medical unit followed years of planning and collaboration aimed at strengthening the delivery of healthcare at Bordelais.
She explained that providing a wider range of services directly at the correctional facility should reduce the number of inmates who must be transported to external health facilities for treatment. That intervention has implications beyond the prison population.
Reducing external hospital visits can lower the security risks associated with transporting inmates, reduce demands on correctional officers and ease some of the pressure placed on the public healthcare system. The improved medical unit builds on several interventions undertaken at Bordelais as Government pursues an approach that combines incarceration and accountability with rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society.
Specialist healthcare services at the facility have been strengthened, including internal medicine, dermatology and ophthalmology services. Bordelais has also been integrated into the national health-management information system, improving the management and continuity of inmates’ medical records.
Government has simultaneously expanded its focus on rehabilitation.
The Ministry of Health and Bordelais collaborated on the I.M.P.R.O.V.E programme, addressing issues including anger management, conflict resolution, trauma, substance misuse, chronic diseases, nutrition, physical activity and healthier lifestyle choices. Education and skills development have also formed part of the strategy.
Ten laptops were provided to the institution earlier this year to strengthen educational and vocational opportunities for inmates, complementing programmes in areas including agriculture, carpentry, literacy and other practical skills. The objective is to ensure that inmates many of whom will eventually return to their communities have greater opportunities to acquire skills and improve their prospects for employment and productive participation in society.
Government has also invested in improving the administration of justice at Bordelais. Virtual court arrangements allow inmates to participate remotely in approved court proceedings, reducing the need for prisoner transportation while improving security and potentially lowering costs and delays.
Operational support has included the provision of vehicles to strengthen staff transportation and the work of the facility’s Special Operations Team.
Taken together, the interventions point to an evolving approach to corrections in Saint Lucia one which recognises that public safety extends beyond incarceration.
While offenders must be held accountable for criminal behaviour, reducing reoffending also requires rehabilitation, education, healthcare, skills development and preparation for reintegration.
Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre acknowledged at the opening of the medical unit that progress has been made at Bordelais while recognising that further improvements remain necessary.
The latest investment therefore represents another step in Government’s wider programme to strengthen the institution and improve outcomes for inmates, correctional officers and the wider society.