By: Precious Mills
BASSTERRE, St.Kitts (November 2017):- An article published last week featuring advice given by Travis Duporte, an inmate at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) has received feedback by those who vouch that his remorseful and changed character is far removed from the personality he once had.
As a result, the headline of the article did not sit well with some relatives and others alike who are of the firm opinion that ‘Travis Duporte- A reformed convict’ is a more suitable label for the young man who is said to be determined to keep imparting positive advice with other young people.
As highlighted in the previous article, in speaking with the young prisoner following a Youth Empowerment Seminar (Crime and Violence Edition) organised by the Rotaract Club of St.Kitts held on Saturday 18th November at the Old Girl’s School on Victoria Road, he talked about work that he is doing with the social development unit in helping to guide youths in high school.
When asked what advice he has for the youths, he had this to say: “My name is Travis Duporte, a former gang member. I just want to say to the youths that before you make any decision, think about the consequences or the possible benefits or disadvantages that may arise, and a lack of
self-criticism usually means a lack of mature self-development.”
Notably, while the young prisoner seemed eager to share the positive efforts he has been making, the conversation between him and this reporter was cut short after a prison officer indicated that it was time for him to return to jail.
While seated in the audience at the event, he was observed being quite attentive and interactive particularly while psychologist and psychiatric counselor Dr. Cherese Godwin presented on Criminal Behaviour and Prevention Methods.
It was not known at the time that he was an HMP inmate.
It was not known at the time that he was an HMP inmate.
In 2006, while in his early 20s, Duporte was found guilty in connection with the June 2004 shooting death of Sattorah ‘Shakabee’ Williams outside his (the deceased) home in Newtown.
As a result, he was sentenced to death by hanging which was subsequently changed to life imprisonment by the Court of Appeal. In 2015, the Privy Council refused his conviction appeal.
“In order to understand what criminal behavior is, we have to understand why people commit crimes in the first place so that is basically constituted as criminology. So to understand what criminal behaviour is and why it occurs, it’s important to look at the psychology of crime. Psychology is why people think and act and to the things that they do,” Dr. Godwin stated.
She also informed that there are four generally accepted parameters that define behaviour as being criminal which are: (1) The act is prohibited by law and punishable by state. (2) It is considered to violate a moral or religious code and is considered punishable by a supreme spiritual being. (3) The act violate norms of society or tradition and is punishable by community. (4) It causes serious psychological stress or mental damage to the victim.
Nearing the end of her presentation, she shared a statement which highlighted: “Crime is a manifestation of feelings of oppression and people’s inability to develop the proper psychological defense and rationales to keep these feelings under control.”
As a result, he was sentenced to death by hanging which was subsequently changed to life imprisonment by the Court of Appeal. In 2015, the Privy Council refused his conviction appeal.
“In order to understand what criminal behavior is, we have to understand why people commit crimes in the first place so that is basically constituted as criminology. So to understand what criminal behaviour is and why it occurs, it’s important to look at the psychology of crime. Psychology is why people think and act and to the things that they do,” Dr. Godwin stated.
She also informed that there are four generally accepted parameters that define behaviour as being criminal which are: (1) The act is prohibited by law and punishable by state. (2) It is considered to violate a moral or religious code and is considered punishable by a supreme spiritual being. (3) The act violate norms of society or tradition and is punishable by community. (4) It causes serious psychological stress or mental damage to the victim.
Nearing the end of her presentation, she shared a statement which highlighted: “Crime is a manifestation of feelings of oppression and people’s inability to develop the proper psychological defense and rationales to keep these feelings under control.”
Dr. Godwin then asked members of the audience how many of them agreed with
it.
it.
Duporte gave his view saying: “I could agree to some extent but I could also disagree because there are persons who have committed a lot of anti-social behaviours like behaving in such a way that would actually oppose the required laws of the nation…they have never went through any form or state of oppression, they had good bringing and so forth so I believe there are other aspects or factors that could contribute to the possible manifestation of committing crime as opposed to oppression so you could look at a different way.”
Dr. Godwin, as part of her response, exampled: “Even if I grow up in a mansion on top of a hill, if I feel like something in me is missing or maybe I feel guilty because I am the one who grew up this way and everyone else is beneath me, I may feel oppressed…”
In April this year, Duporte was among a group of HMP inmates who graduated from a 10-week project called the Stop ‘n’ Think programme put on by the Ministry of National Security featuring Crime Reduction Specialist, Dr. Neals Chitan as the facilitator.