The much talked about recent St. Lucia/US Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) took centre stage at Monday’s government press conference, the first for the new year.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre went directly to the heart of the matter, making it clear that no additional information was available on the issue, clarifying that contrary to unofficial comments the MOU was simply to open discussions between the two countries. “There has been no agreement with the government of the United States. What we have signed, as most countries have signed is an MOU. The Memorandum of Understanding is basically a framework for dialogue and cooperation with the United States as it regards nationals from third party countries who are presently in the United States.”
Pressed for additional comments on Saint Lucia’s possible housing of prisoners coming out of the United States, the Prime Minister reverted to his earlier comment that the parties have not reached any agreement, adding that arrangements would mirror what has already been established elsewhere. Pierre insisted that Saint Lucia could still decide not to participate but if it did, no violent criminals would be accepted or be part of the arrangement. Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne expressed similar sentiments recently while addressing what he thought was misinformation on the issue. Most of CARICOM have reportedly already signed similar MOUs with the U.S.
Saint Lucia’s prison system is reportedly ill equipped to facilitate any large intake. If Saint Lucia is to host persons from the US, special facilities would need to be identified or established. Prime Minister Pierre confirmed that funding would come from the United States for housing prisoners who would be from countries outside mainland USA.
The Prime Minister has promised to be transparent on the issue and vowed that he would not put the country in any uncomfortable situation.
Saint Lucia has, in the recent past, housed foreign national prisoners.
The Prime Minister also reported that there has been no information from the United States government regarding any change in visa requirement or adjustment for the citizens of Saint Lucia.