Black Immigrant Daily News

Her Majesty’s Cayman Islands Prison Service (HMCIPS), in conjunction with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus, hosted its Inaugural Awards Ceremony after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in August 2021. Certificates were presented to the Forty-six graduates who had successfully completed their programmes.

Addressing the graduates during the ceremony, H.E., The Governor Martyn Roper, said:

This is an inspiring programme and I want to congratulate the organisers. To the graduates, it is admirable that every one of you has been able and willing to take on this opportunity to turn your lives around, by developing your skill set. I hope some of you may use these skills to pursue opportunities for entrepreneurship, which is a major focus of this educational programme.

Above all, I hope that, by taking part in this programme, you will be able to develop your self-confidence and support your overall wellbeing while in custody. I also want to pay tribute to our HMCIPS officers on your success in completing your management course.

The partnership between the HMCIPS and the UWI Open Campus is aimed to modernise and extend the portfolio of educational and skills training programmes available to HMCIPS officers and inmates. This agreement was both ground-breaking and pioneering for the region and reflects the Cayman Islands’ role as a regional leader in rehabilitation services amongst the overseas territories.

This partnership aligns with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ overall strategic and national priorities, which include strengthening public safety and promoting resiliency. A key aspect of this is prioritising rehabilitative services for inmates in our custody.

Minister of Home Affairs, Sabrina Turner, explained.

Innovative and impactful programmes like this are important as they support the Government’s broad policy commitments to improve education, promote lifelong learning and greater economic mobility, as well as provide solutions to improve the well-being of people and help them to achieve their full potential. I salute you, graduates, on a job well done. You embody the benefits that innovation, education and partnership represent to our community. As Home Affairs continues the investment in rehabilitating offenders, we implore both government and private entities to partner with us in providing employment, as well as other opportunities, for people who are embracing positive change. Rehabilitation is about reducing crime, and everyone has a part to play.

Minister Turner added.

Of the 37 inmates graduating, eight were females, from Fairbanks prison, and 29 males from Northward prison. Certificates range from Introduction to Computers, and Small Business Management to basic English language courses, with some inmates receiving more than one.

Out of this year’s cohort, inmates have applied for acceptance into the UWI Open Campus’s Associate Degree and Bachelor of Science programmes, and other inmates are being encouraged to pursue bridging courses to expand their educational capabilities to enable matriculation into degree programmes.

“By providing inmates with opportunities to develop and build skills, increases the likelihood of them gaining employment and thereby allow for a smoother transition as they reintegrate into the community,” noted Acting Director of HMCIPS Daniel Greaves.

“A dual purpose of this initiative is to build the institutional capacity of HMCIPS by sharing a range of UWI programmes, instructional resources, and professional development support with Prison Officers”, Mr Greaves continued.

This year saw nine HMCIPS officers receive certificates in Supervisory Management. These included Officer Austin Williams, Officer Oscar Owen, Officer Marlon Watson, Supervisor Derron Watson, Officer Cesar Tilo, Supervisor, Dr Dwight Simms, Supervisor Steve Miller and Adult Education Facilitator, Ms Tamar Barclay.

Speaking to the MOU between HMCIPS and the UWI Open Campus programme, Dr Beverley Shirley expressed on behalf of the UWI Open Campus.

Dr Shirley said:

Heartfelt gratitude to the Government for their continued investment in the academic and professional growth and development of the Caymanian people, and their overwhelming confidence in us, without their support, this would not have been possible.

As part of its strategic objectives this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs and HMCIPS are committed to the continuing development and professionalisation of the prison system. Notably, HMCIPS Prison officers will have opportunities to gain tools and strengthen skills where needed in support of the Cayman Islands Government’s vision for a “World Class” Civil Service.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Five charming and beautiful ladies selected for the 2022 Miss World Cayman Islands Pageant made their first public appearance and were officially sashed by their sponsors during a private ceremony held at Government House on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

The event was hosted by His Excellency the Governor Martyn Roper and Mrs. Roper. Against the backdrop of Seven Mile Beach and the glistening sun, the evening began with a warm welcome by Governor Roper.

In giving the welcome, Governor Roper said:

Miss World Cayman Islands, it really is, it’s become such a big part of our culture, our heritage and what we do in the Cayman Islands, and I know it’s very popular and the mentoring and the support it provides to our young women, is really fantastic. I would like to thank Pamela, who has been steering it for four, five years now.

The program was concise and moved along smoothly by Emcee, Director of Miss World Cayman Islands Pamela Ebanks-Small.

Pageantry, like anything else in life, is hard work. Anyone who successfully goes through a pageant journey must be commended for fulfilling the many commitments that are involved. It will take much practice and dedication to get through this pageant journey, but most of all, our contestants will need our support. Thank you to our contestant and pageant sponsors who believe in what we do and continue to support the training and mentoring of our young women.”

Ms. Ebanks-Small said.

The reigning MWCI Queen, Rashana Hydes was present along with 1st Runner-Up Alyssa West, 2nd Runner-Up Krista Ebanks. Past Queen, Jaci Patrick and young women from Girl Power Cayman organization were also present. Ms. Ebanks-Small also recognized Miss Hydes for her hard work and performance this year at the international Miss World Pageant where she placed top 16 in the head-to-head challenge.

With beauty, grace and high fashion, each contestant gave a formal introduction, highlighted their chosen platform and their intended advocacy work throughout the pageant journey. The contestants’ respective sponsor was given the opportunity to sash their pageant hopeful and meet and greet them in person.

The contestants are:

Leanni Tibbetts (25, from George Town) is sponsored by Maedac Supplies Co Ltd. Miss Tibbetts will partner with Protect Our Future and advocate for environmental protectionMelissa Bridgemohan (24, from West Bay) is sponsored by The Wellness Centre. Miss. Bridgemohan will partner with Inclusion Cayman to inspire inclusion for everyoneLatoya Jackson (21, from Bodden Town) is sponsored by Vampt Motors. Miss Jackson will partner with Alex Panton Foundation, to educate and organize activities and events that create safe spaces for our youth to interact, share and improve their mental healthDeverlee Ramos Bodden (27, from Cayman Brac) is sponsored by Lee’s Office Products. Miss Ramos Bodden will partner with the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, to shed light on the domestic abuse of women and children, to assist with educating the public on the issue and to raise funds to offset the cost of building a second shelterAngelique Copeland (23, from George Town) is sponsored by The Physiotherapy Centre Ltd. Miss Copeland will partner with Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) to empower, motivate, mentor, and aid in the development of young Caymanians into future leaders.

The beauties, along with the reigning Miss World Cayman Islands, Rashana Hydes, were presented with gift packages filled with beauty products from CEL Beauty Supply Ltd. The event ended with the contestants mingling among guests, partaking in photos with Governor Roper, pageant sponsors, family and friends.

One month into the contestant journey, the 2022 contestants are undertaking interview and public speaking training with Toastmasters, walking, dancing and choreography practice with Sophie Conolly of Centre Pointe Dance Studio, intensive wardrobe training, official photoshoot, etiquette training with Meloney Syms and Renita Barnes.

The much anticipated Miss World Cayman Islands 2022 crowning will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at the Harquail Theatre, starting at 7pm (a cocktail hour at 6pm). The crowned queen will represent the Cayman Islands at the Miss World pageant and be awarded a CI$70,000 scholarship, amongst other prizes and awards. Tickets go on sale in mid-July.

For highlights of the 2022 sashing event, contestant journey, and latest updates, please follow the MWCI’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media pages. For more information on the 2022 MWCI pageant or if you are interested in becoming a pageant sponsor, please email missworldcayman@gmail.com.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Japanese went to the polls Sunday in the shadow of the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was gunned down while making a campaign speech. Abe’s governing party appeared to be cruising to a major victory.

As people voted, police in western Japan sent the alleged assassin to a local prosecutors’ office for further investigation. A day earlier a top regional police official acknowledged possible security lapses that allowed the attacker to get so close and fire a bullet at the still-influential former Japanese leader.

In a country still recovering from the shock, sadness and fear of Abe’s shooting — the first former or serving leader to be assassinated in postwar Japan — polling started for half of the upper house, the less powerful of Japan’s two-chamber parliament.

Abe was shot in Nara on Friday and airlifted to a hospital but died of blood loss. Police arrested a former member of Japan’s navy at the scene. Police confiscated a homemade gun and several others were later found at his apartment.

The alleged attacker, Tetsuya Yamagami, told investigators he acted because of Abe’s rumoured connection to an organisation that he resented, police said, but had no problem with the former leader’s political view. The man had developed hatred toward a religious group that his mother was obsessed about and that bankrupted a family business, according to media reports, including some that identified the group as the Unification Church.

Abe’s body, in a black hearse accompanied by his wife, Akie, returned to his home in Tokyo’s upscale Shibuya, where many mourners, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and top party officials, paid tribute. His wake and funeral are expected in coming days.

Nara prefectural police chief Tomoaki Onizuka on Saturday said that Abe’s assassination was the “greatest regret” in his 27-year career. He said problems with security were undeniable, that he took the shooting seriously and will review the guarding procedures.

Abe’s assassination ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary election shocked the nation and raised questions over whether adequate security was provided for the former prime minister.

Some observers who watched videos of the attack noted a lack of attention in the open space behind Abe as he spoke.

Experts also said Abe was more vulnerable standing on the ground level instead of atop a campaign vehicle, a standard for premier-class politicians, but that option was reportedly unavailable due to his hastily arranged visit to Nara.

Mitsuru Fukuda, a crisis management professor at Nihon University, said police were seen focusing frontward and paying little attention to what was behind Abe, noting that the suspect was approaching the former leader unnoticed until he fired the first shot.

“Clearly there were problems,” Fukuda said.

The first shot narrowly missed Abe and hit an election vehicle. The second entered from his upper left arm damaged his neck artery, causing massive bleeding and death.

Fukuda said that election campaigns provide a chance for voters and politicians to interact because “political terrorism” was extremely rare in postwar Japan. It’s a key democratic process, but Abe’s assassination could prompt stricter security at crowded events like campaigns, sports games and others.

On Saturday, when party leaders went out for their final appeals under heightened security, there were no more fist-touches — a COVID-19 era alternative to handshakes — or other close-proximity friendly gestures they used to enjoy.

After Abe’s assassination, Sunday’s election had a new meaning, with all political leaders emphasizing the importance of free speech and their pledge not to back down to violence against democracy.

“We absolutely refuse to let violence shut out free speech,” Kishida said in his final rally in northern city of Niigata on Saturday amid tightened security. “We must demonstrate that our democracy and election will not back down to violence.”

According to the Asahi newspaper, Yamagami was a contract worker at a warehouse in Kyoto, operating a forklift. He was described as a quiet person in the beginning but started ignoring rules that led to quarrels with his colleagues, then he started missing work and quit in April citing health problems. A next-door neighbour at his apartment told Asahi he never met Yamagami, though he recalled hearing noises like a saw being used several times late at night over the past month.

Japan is known for its strict gun laws. With a population of 125 million, it had only 21 gun-related criminal cases in 2020, according to the latest government crime paper. Experts say, however, some recent attacks involved use of consumer items such as gasoline, suggesting increased risks for ordinary people to be embroiled in mass attacks.

While media surveys had predicted a major victory for the governing Liberal Democratic Party amid fractured and weak opposition, a wave of sympathy votes from Abe’s assassination could bring a bigger victory than Kishida’s modest goal of winning the house majority.

Even after stepping down as prime minister in 2020, Abe was highly influential in the LDP and headed its largest faction. His absence could change the power balance in the governing party that has almost uninterruptedly ruled postwar Japan since its 1955 foundation, experts say.

“This could be a turning point” for the LDP over its divisive policies on gender equality, same-sex marriages and other issues that Abe-backed ultra-conservatives with paternalistic family values had resisted, said Fukuda.

Japan’s current diplomatic and security stance is unlikely to change because fundamental changes had already been made by Abe. His ultra-nationalist views and realistic policy measures made him a divisive figure to many, including in the Koreas and China.

Abe stepped down two years ago blaming a recurrence of the ulcerative colitis he’d had since he was a teenager. He said he regretted leave many of his goals unfinished, including the issue of Japanese abducted years ago by North Korea, a territorial dispute with Russia, and a revision to Japan’s war-renouncing constitution that many conservatives consider a humiliation because of poor public support.

Abe was groomed to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi. His political rhetoric often focused on making Japan a “normal” and “beautiful” nation with a stronger military through security alliance with the United States and bigger role in international affairs.

He became Japan’s youngest prime minister in 2006, at age 52. But his overly nationalistic first stint abruptly ended a year later, also because of his health, prompting six years of annual leadership change.

He returned to office in 2012, vowing to revitalize the nation and get its economy out of its deflationary doldrums with his “Abenomics” formula, which combines fiscal stimulus, monetary easing and structural reforms. He won six national elections and built a rock-solid grip on power.

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By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The public is being advised that the Bacchanal and Jamaica Carnival parades will be held on Sunday, July 10.

No motorcyclists, pedal cyclists or handcarts will be allowed in the parades. The police are advising motorist to utilise designated parking areas as failure to comply can result in motor vehicles being towed.

In a release, the police said the necessary Traffic Management Plan will be implemented, which will result in temporary road closures and traffic diversions.

The following is a breakdown of traffic changes that will be made to facilitate the events.

BEFORE THE MARCH

Road Closures and Traffic Diversions:

HOPE ROAD

Hope Road between Trafalgar Road and Lady Musgrave Road will be closed to vehicular traffic from 9:30 am to midday. This closure is to facilitate the lining up of revellers along the roadway. All roads leading on will also be closed to vehicular traffic.

Traffic travelling westerly along Hope Road will be diverted along Lady Musgrave Road and East Kings House Road.

Traffic travelling easterly along Hope Road will be diverted along Waterloo Road and Trafalgar Road.-

NB. Vehicles will access Andrews Memorial Hospital via Kingsway.

LADY MUSGRAVE ROAD

Lady Musgrave Road between Hope Road and Trafalgar Road and all roads leading on will be closed to vehicular traffic from 11.m to 1pm. Traffic travelling along Hope Road intending to use Lady Musgrave Road will be diverted to use East Kings House Road.

Vehicles travelling along East Kings House Road wishing to use Lady Musgrave Road will be diverted to use the lower section of Hope Road towards Half-Way Tree Road direction.

Traffic travelling along Old Hope Road from Cross Roads direction or out of North Avenue (Swallowfield community) wishing to access Lady Musgrave Road, will be restricted and will continue along Old Hope Road.

TRAFALGAR ROAD

Trafalgar Road between Lady Musgrave Road and Hope Road and all roads leading on will be closed to vehicular traffic from 12pm to 1:45 pm Traffic travelling from the upper section of Lady Musgrave Road will be diverted onto Fairway Avenue, while traffic travelling from the lower section of Lady Musgrave Road will continue along Lady Musgrave Road.

Traffic travelling from Hope Road or Waterloo will not be allowed onto Trafalgar Road. Hope Road traffic will continue straight or turn onto Waterloo Road, while Waterloo Road traffic will use Hope Road.

HOPE ROAD

Hope Road between Ardenne Road and all roads leading on will be closed from 1pm to 3:30 pm.

Hope Road from Trafalgar Road to Ardenne Road and all roads leading on will be closed from 5:30 pm to 6.m.

TRAFALGAR ROAD

Trafalgar Road between Hope Road and Lady Musgrave Road and all roads leading on will be closed to vehicular traffic from 2:50 pm to 4pm.

Traffic travelling from Hope Road or Waterloo will not be allowed onto Trafalgar Road. Hope Road traffic will continue straight, or turn onto Waterloo Road, while Waterloo Road traffic will use Hope Road.

LADY MUSGRAVE ROAD

Lady Musgrave Road between Trafalgar Road and Oxford Road and all roads leading on will be closed from 3:50 pm to 4:30 pm.

Traffic travelling off North Avenue will be diverted onto Old Hope Road.

OXFORD ROAD

Old Hope Road to Knutsford Boulevard and all roads leading on will be closed to vehicular traffic from 4:20 pm to 5pm.

No traffic will be allowed to access Oxford Road unless going to the Marriott Court Yard or Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

KNUTSFORD BOULEVARD

Oxford Road to Trafalgar Road and all roads leading on will be closed to vehicular traffic from 4:45 pm to 5:35 pm.

TRAFALGAR ROAD

Trafalgar Road between Knutsford Boulevard and Hope Road and all roads leading on will be closed from 5:10 pm to 6pm.

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