Several chambers of commerce are calling for Carrera Island Prison to be converted into a tourist resort and attraction site.However, they are asking that the facility not be sold or leased to a foreigner, but remain in the hands of the State or local investors.On March 14, Justice Minister Christlyn Moore said Cabinet had agreed to the closure of the prison by year's end and to relocate its 300 prisoners to the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca.
The closure stems from challenges faced by visitors to the inmates, as well as the carriage of water and goods to the island. It was agreed that the Ministry of National Security would take over the facility.Inspector of Prisons Daniel Khan also came out in full support of the prison's closure.In a Prison Report submitted to Moore last December, Khan had recommended that the facility be shut down.
Since the announcement, letters were published in the daily newspapers of converting Carrera into a holiday resort.Taran Singh, president of the Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce, said he would certainly support any initiative that would assist in marketing our country abroad.Admitting that T&T was faced with several challenges, Singh said converting the facility would generate revenue and stimulate the economy.
Bartlett-Don't leaseor sell the facility
San Fernando Business Association head, Daphne Bartlett, said the island was a lovely place for a resort and tourist attraction site.Bartlett said Government needed to capitalise on the resources of the country to bring in foreign currency and provide employment.She suggested that Carrera be converted into a nature centre similar to Asa Wright, which attracts hundreds of bird lovers from around the world.
Bartlett had one request though–that the facility not be sold or leased to a foreigner."We have to be careful that it is not some wise guy trying to come to Trinidad to con the Government to lease for a small amount."If they certainly want to convert it into something that will bring increased income to Trinidad, we are saying that it be a project that could be developed by the Government and Trinidadians. It is not a bad idea. It is how we make good use of it," she said.
Ali: It's good for army/coast guard base or tourism
Billy Ali, president of the Greater Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce, suggested that the facility be used for two things–an offshore army/coast guard base and tourism.If the Government opts to use the facility as a tourism site, Ali said, it should be owned by the State, private investors or taxpayers.