Anguilla’s juvenile rehabilitation centre, Zenaida Haven, is moving from Rey Hill to make way for the ongoing airport expansion and to improve on its outdated infrastructure.
A new government-funded facility will offer enhanced space, security and privacy for young offenders, replacing the ‘temporary’ centre that has remained in use for the past 16 years.
The Executive Council approved the project during a meeting on 19 June and designated three parcels of land in Long Path near Cauls Pond, according to the minutes published on 3 July.
Zenaida Haven supervisor Yoshida Gumbs-Forbes told Anguilla Focus that the relocation of the centre is partly due to the expansion of the Clayton J Lloyd International Airport.
“There is also an urgent need to improve the physical environment and expand the capacity and capabilities of the facility,” she added.
She said the current centre, which opened in May 2009, was initially intended to be temporary and presents ongoing limitations with infrastructure, security and programming space.
“A purpose-built facility will better support the rehabilitative mandate of the centre and offer a safer, more structured and developmentally appropriate environment for youth,” she said.
A new start
Gumbs-Forbes said the Zenaida Haven facility, previously only for boys aged 12 to 18, will now cater to both males and females and will reflect modern rehabilitative approaches.
There will be purpose designed living quarters, educational and vocational spaces, therapeutic rooms and secure recreation areas.
“The design aims to balance structure and safety with a nurturing, youth-centred approach,” she said.
“The facility will also provide greater support for youth under both Care and Protection Orders and custodial rehabilitation, in line with the evolving needs of our juvenile justice and child protection systems.”
The location was “carefully selected” after consideration of several factors, including accessibility, environmental suitability, security and the ability to expand future services.
The site also offers more space for outdoor programming, vocational services and structured residential units while maintaining a level of privacy essential for youth in care.
A success story
Zenaida Haven functions as an additional sentencing option, allowing juveniles to be placed away from adults under probation or residence orders that range from six months to three years.
In recognition of the 15th anniversary of the centre last May, former social development minister Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers delivered a speech in which she praised everyone involved with the facility.
“Over the 15 years, a total of 56 young people have completed terms of residency at Zenaida Haven – of that, it has been assessed that the recidivism rate is 7%,” she said.
“From this, it can be presumed that 93% of former residents are doing well through gainful employment and positive engagement with their communities and families.”
She said family involvement through visits and calls and multi agency support is critical to the success of the programme.
“I am pleased with the work being undertaken by the Department of Probation, more specifically, Zenaida Haven, in positioning young people for a better future.”
Anguilla Focus has reached out to the Ministry of Infrastructure for information on costs and timeline and is awaiting a response.
