Three parents who lost their children are calling for reforms to the criminal justice system, saying poor communication and failures by state institutions have added to their grief.

Joycelyn O’Garro-Piper, Vangetta Hector-Francis and Khalid Shabazz made the appeal during an appearance on Observer AM, where they described difficulties getting information about their children’s cases.

O’Garro-Piper’s 33-year-old son, Rodney Piper, died after being beaten on 9 September 2023. She said she spent about two and a half years seeking updates before learning that an arrest had been made.

She said relatives should not have to repeatedly contact police for information and proposed establishing a customer service unit within the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to keep victims’ families informed.

Hector-Francis said she faced similar difficulties after her son, Vonde Bowers, was killed last year in an incident involving teenagers. She said important developments were sometimes communicated to her through WhatsApp rather than by authorities.

Shabazz raised concerns over the treatment of his son, Rashawn, while he was imprisoned. He said court orders requiring Rashawn to receive treatment at Clearview Psychiatric Hospital were not followed before his death in custody.

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Nuffield Burnett said police have a legal duty to keep complainants informed during investigations. He advised people who believe they have experienced unreasonable delays or poor communication to complain to the force’s Office of Professional Standards.

Legal expert Warren Cassell also urged families to seek independent legal advice, noting that court orders can be enforced when authorities fail to comply.

The parents are calling for improved communication between police and victims’ families, stronger coordination between courts, prisons and psychiatric facilities, changes to juvenile justice legislation and the return of school truancy officers.

They say the reforms are intended to ensure families receive timely information, court orders are respected and those seeking answers after a death are treated with greater accountability and care.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Grieving Parents Demand Justice System Reforms After Losing Their Children.