NCJ Number
187012
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2000 Pages: 125-134
Editor(s)
Mahesh K. Nalla
Date Published
2000
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article explores the question of gender bias with respect to the imposition of the death penalty in the Caribbean in relation to the case study of Pamela Ramjattan.
Abstract
The article explores gender bias with respect to the female death penalty debate in the English-speaking Caribbean Nation of Trinidad and Tobago by presenting a case study of Indravani Pamela Ramjattan. The Privy Council remanded her case to the Trinidad Court of Appeal. A decision in her favor could set a regional precedent which would, for the time, allow women in the English-speaking Caribbean to present evidence related to Battered Spouse Syndrome. Trinidad and Tobago is the only Nation, in the almost 20 Nations in the Caribbean, to have any women on death row. Ms. Ramjattan was convicted for the murder of her husband. Her case gained international attention and support from women’s groups who speak out on behalf of battered women. Although there is popular support throughout the English-speaking Caribbean for the imposition of the death penalty, public sentiment in Trinidad and Tobago, regarding the hanging of a female, may prove to be very unpopular for the present government. There appears to be gender bias against enforcing the death penalty against women in Trinidad. The outcome of the Pamela Ramjattan case is still unknown. If the Court of Appeal sustains Ms. Ramjattan’s original death sentence, the Panday Government can hold off issuing her death warrant. Once 5 years has elapsed from her original conviction, the death sentence will automatically be stayed. Notes