Staff at the St Jude's Home for Girls, Belmont, are demanding greater protection after a hit list targeting supervisors was found a week ago. The list which was allegedly compiled by a group of girls referred to as troublemakers, was made public after an incident on June 19, in which a female staff member was beaten, choked and punched. The injured staff member, who has worked there for the past seven years, is still on sick leave with a fractured left hand, a black eye and bruising to the ribs, back and neck.
Traumatised by the incident, the worker, who suffers from asthma, is said to be experiencing bouts of hyperventilation and has had to seek medical treatment. She was attacked by three girls shortly after 6 pm on June 19, as she supervised 18 of them of St Therese Home. The girls who initiated the attack are said to belong to Carmel Home. The two homes are part of the group of dormitories used to house the 65-member population and are spread across the compound. Relatives of the injured worker yesterday disputed claims by board member Bernard St Louis earlier this week that the girls who instigated the fight had since been sent to the St Ann's Hospital. Instead, they claimed the 17-year-old leader of the group remained at the home.
Staff confirmed the girl had previously been kept at the Women's Prison, Golden Grove, and was sent to St Jude's last month by the family court after she breached a bond to keep the peace.
Claiming the lives of the 20 staff members were now at risk, a female relative said: "I think she should resign, as nothing is being done to protect the workers, many of whom are not trained or equipped to handle some of these girls." Described as aggressive and intimidating, the leader of the group allegedly led the girls on a destructive rampage on June 19, which included smashing doors, beds and cupboards and spray-painting graffiti on walls, as well as stealing toiletries and personal effects from the staff. Staff said police took 14 girls, including the leader, to the Belmont Police Station on Tuesday after a similar incident during which one of the dormitories was ransacked and destroyed. The girls were expected to appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate yesterday.
Problems at the home
Agreeing that the chronic staff shortage was the main problem, relatives said workers hired by the home were being paid $100 a shift, which varied drastically from the salaries earned by workers appointed by the statutory board. The shift system runs from 6 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 8 pm, and 8 pm to 6 am. Although there are security guards assigned to the home, it was said they did not usually patrol it. However, in light of the recent incidents, regular patrols have been introduced.
Ministry: We’re dealing with it
The Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development says the concerns expressed by staff are being addressed. Confirming the staff shortage and lack of skills training necessary for the workers to effectively deal with children diagnosed with behavioral problems, the ministry revealed that Cabinet had agreed to an urgent short-term plan for St Jude's. The plan seeks to deal with issues in several areas with the aim of achieving the best possible outcome in the shortest time. Minister Clifton De Coteau announced yesterday at a post-Cabinet press briefing a move to implement a $1.2 million urgent short-term intervention and support plan for the home.