Local News
Frustrated Prison Staff Stay Home Following Security Incidents
A prison van gun attack, an injured officer, rampant overcrowding, growing gang concerns, infrastructural issues and security concerns have shifted the focus back to the state of His Majesty Prison in the British Virgin Islands.
The just over seventy prison staff, who do not receive any hazard pay, are frustrated that their concerns continue to be dismissed by the government.
Some staff have chosen to stay home in the aftermath of three hooded men fleeing the vicinity of the prison, leaving a bag of weapons on September 21, and the brazen shooting incident on October 9, where a prison van carrying inmates to court was shot at around 9:30 a.m. resulting in an officer being injured.
“Things have gone from bad to worse. It’s a boiling pot waiting to explode right now. Everyone is shifting the responsibility” shared a source.
Originally designed to accommodate 60 inmates, a recent investigation conducted by jahphixtelevision.com found that the prison in Balsam Ghut now houses 132 inmates, including six women.
Furthermore, prison officers are still reliant on manual keys to access prison cells, and the fire emergency alarm buttons are nonfunctional due to the absence of electrical installations.
Additionally, there is no available plumbing blueprint for the prison, which is currently plagued by water leaks, compelling the prison authorities to procure water at a cost of up to $12,000.
“Prisoner officers have to walk around and look for leaks,” the source added. “ We have an ongoing water situation here. There is no water.”
The penitentiary officially opened in 1997 as a young offenders institute, juvenile detention centre, remand centre and immigration removal centre.
The overcrowding in the facility has rendered it infeasible to transfer inmates from one block to another in the event of fights, including those related to gang conflicts.
“There is no space. So prisoners cannot be moved from one block to another,” the source stressed.
In October 2022, an independent Prison Security Review was conducted by the Superintendent of His Majesty’s Prison in Anguilla and two former Chief Inspectors of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
Their review, which was ordered by the National Security Council, yielded more than 50 recommendations, addressing matters such as infrastructure repairs, enhanced prison operations, and the bolstering of staff morale.
Governor John Rankin, who jointly oversees the prison with the territory’s Minister of Health & Social Development, announced last year that a Prison Security Review Implementation Committee was established to implement the recommendations.
Urgent repairs were undertaken by the Health and Social Development department, and a collaborative effort involved three prison officers from the United Kingdom working alongside the local prison authority to update operational procedures, and new equipment, including mattresses, prisoner uniforms, handcuffs, and other essential items, were supplied to the prison.
The ongoing challenges in the territory’s prison system have persisted for an extended period characterised by an escalating prison population due to an increase in individuals on remand awaiting court proceedings and longer sentences being served by offenders convicted of crimes such as murder and drug-related offences.
“Action needs to be taken. All relevant authorities are aware of the issues in the prison,” the source added.
Education
Former Legislator Dr Kedrick Pickering Becomes International Best-Selling Author with New Book
Dr Kedrick Pickering, former legislator and renowned obstetrician, has achieved international recognition with the release of his book, Walk in Faith & Medicine: Daily Lessons & Insights from a Doctor’s Handwritten Journal. Published on December 12, the 139-page Kindle edition has swiftly become the number one New Release in Obstetrics & Gynaecology on Amazon, earning Dr Pickering a place among Amazon’s International Best Sellers.
Walk in Faith & Medicine provides readers with a deeply personal account of Dr Pickering’s tenure as the only Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in the British Virgin Islands for nearly three decades. The book intricately weaves his medical experiences with his spiritual reflections, offering profound insights into the challenges of practising medicine in a setting where resources were often limited, but faith and resilience were abundant.
Through heartfelt anecdotes, Dr Pickering recounts the joys and struggles of his career, from the miracle of delivering life under difficult circumstances to the strength he found in spirituality when faced with adversity. Each chapter sheds light on the delicate balance between clinical expertise and moral contemplation.
The book’s release has received widespread acclaim, resonating with audiences in both medical and spiritual communities. Its success highlights Dr Pickering’s unique ability to capture the human side of healthcare while addressing universal themes of faith and hope.
Walk in Faith & Medicine is available exclusively as a Kindle edition and is already being hailed as an inspirational must-read.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) brought smiles to the faces of over 100 children in the British Virgin Islands with a generous donation of Christmas gifts. The initiative, held on December 16, was a collaborative effort between the FCCA, the Government of the Virgin Islands, and the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP).
The festivities took place at YEP Headquarters in East End, where children were treated to a festive celebration. Staff from the MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship donned Santa Claus and other character costumes, adding to the magic of the occasion. The event also received sponsorship from Diamond International.
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley expressed his gratitude for the FCCA’s ongoing commitment to the Virgin Islands community. “The leadership of the FCCA is a thoughtful group of individuals. For more than two decades, their gift-giving has brought smiles and filled hearts with joy and hope during this special time of year,” said Premier Wheatley. “On behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, I extend our sincere thanks to the FCCA and their co-sponsors for their generosity.”
Minister for Ports Hon. Kye M. Rymer highlighted the FCCA’s enduring partnership with the territory. “Their commitment to gift-giving for over 20 years deserves our acknowledgment,” said Rymer. He also commended the BVI Ports Authority for its collaboration with the FCCA in supporting such initiatives.
Director of YEP Hon. Stacy Mather shared his appreciation for the FCCA’s efforts. “This marks our second time receiving gifts from this initiative. We are incredibly fortunate and grateful for this generosity,” he said. “Thanks to the kindness of FCCA, Diamond International, and others, our Christmas celebrations begin a little earlier.”
The event was moderated by Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Ms. Haley Trott, and attended by Junior Minister for Tourism Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith, Deputy Director of YEP Ms. Bianca Dougan, and other community leaders.
As the festive season brings increased consumer activity, the British Virgin Islands Bank Association (BVIBA) has issued a stern reminder to merchants across the territory regarding compliance with card transaction policies.
The association warns that imposing minimum spending requirements or charging additional fees for card payments is not only against their merchant agreements but also violates regulations established by major payment networks, VISA and Mastercard.
The advisory, issued on Wednesday, December 18, warns that merchants engaging in these practices are in breach of their contractual obligations with their respective financial institutions. “We request that all merchants immediately cease these practices to ensure compliance,” the statement read.
The BVIBA comprises several prominent financial institutions, including Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited, CIBC Caribbean, FirstBank PR, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Popular, Republic Bank (BVI) Limited, and VP Bank (BVI) Limited.
For inquiries or guidance on compliance, the BVIBA advises merchants to contact their respective banks promptly.
Former Legislator Dr Kedrick Pickering Becomes International Best-Selling Author with New Book
FCCA Spreads Holiday Cheer in the British Virgin Islands with Christmas Gift Donation
BVI Bank Association Warns Merchants Against Card Transaction Violations
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