Premier the Hon. Natalio Wheatley said the Virgin Islands should prioritise prevention programmes over expanding prison capacity, aligning with Education Minister Sharie de Castro, as the territory confronts overcrowding at His Majesty’s Prison and reports of recent robberies and a shooting.
Speaking on 8 October during an interview on Virgin Islands Voice, Mr Wheatley said government policy should focus on youth development and social support rather than building more cells. ‘The hope and the goal for all of us should be to have an empty prison,’ he said, calling for investment in education, sports, music, mentoring and family services.
Mr Wheatley acknowledged overcrowding as a ‘real issue’ and said officials are weighing options to manage the current population, while describing pressure on the facility as a symptom of broader social problems that require upstream interventions.
The premier linked the approach to work arising from the recent Anti-Crime Summit, where external experts are helping shape a territory-wide crime-reduction strategy. He said the plan will emphasise community responsibility and early intervention while police continue investigations into recent incidents.
Ms de Castro has argued that budget priorities should steer towards youth programmes and constructive after-school activities to deter first offences. Mr Wheatley endorsed that view, adding that social agencies and non-governmental groups must be better resourced to support families in distress.
Next steps, he said, include finalising the strategy, funding targeted programmes in the forthcoming budget and continuing coordination through the National Security Council. ‘If we invest in people and build good character, we reduce crime,’ Mr Wheatley said.
