By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

INTERNATIONAL Development Bank consultants have compiled a scathing review of the government’s highly touted Swift Justice Initiative (SJI), at the heart of their study the court reporting and transcription system.

According to the final report and proposed action plan obtained by The Tribune, while The Bahamas enjoys having 40 court reporters, the most per capita among other Caribbean countries in the region, there are numerous challenges which ultimately hinder the administration of justice.

Among more than a dozen inefficiencies of the court reporting system, experts said there was mainly unsatisfactory delivery and non-delivery of transcripts, coupled with inadequate equipment and tools provided to reporters.

Some stenographers reported using personal computers to complete transcripts while others said government-owned equipment was stolen from their vehicles.

However, the report does note that in such instances the reporters were made to replace the equipment. A full system key costs $3,560 each, a writer is valued at $4,484 and a laptop computer costs around $1,500.

Other challenges with the system included: no service offered at all times in some areas – the Chief Magistrate indicated that he had not had a court reporter assigned to him at all; the items of equipment cited as either defective or deficient, including stenotype writers, software keys, printers and computers.

At Freeport, Grand Bahama, six reporters were forced to rotate three software keys between them. Consultants also found that around ten of the Bahamas’ 40 reporters did not have access to basic tools to perform transcript editing functions.

As as result, the report noted that productivity levels were significantly compromised.

In addition, several reporters complained of illness, burnout and a desire to move on from the court reporting unit into other areas of the public service.

They listed among their frustrations an inability to get equipment and tools and job uncertainty ahead of a perceived threat of the introduction of audio digital court recording.

The report recommended that there be immediate provisions for adequate equipment for all reporters, which includes writers, software keys, computers, courtroom furniture and internet access.

“While it is appreciated that the government of The Bahamas has a responsibility to provide the requisite tools to all reporters, reasonable expectations must also be placed on the officers to maintain and secure the government’s property under reasonably safe conditions.

“Indications were given in several instances that transcripts could not be provided because laptop computers were stolen from court reporters’ vehicles.”

It was further noted that the number of court reporters be increased along with a review of those who were permanent and pensionable.