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.
Entertainment
Thirteen Restaurants to Serve Up Lobster Delights at Anegada Lobster Festival 2024
Local News
British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission Welcomes New Leadership
The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVIFSC) has announced new appointments to its governing board, with Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC stepping in as Chairman and Ms. Patlian Johnson as Commissioner. The appointments, confirmed by the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, mark a new chapter for the commission as it seeks to strengthen the territory’s financial services sector.
Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC has been appointed to a three-year term as Chairman, effective August 1, 2024. A seasoned legal expert with a distinguished career, Farara currently serves as a Commercial Court Judge for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and leads the litigation team at the BVI office of COLLAS CRILL, formerly Farara Kerins. Farara’s prominence in the legal community is further highlighted by his appointment as Queen’s Counsel in 1996, cementing his standing as a leading figure in the Virgin Islands Bar and the broader Eastern Caribbean.
Ms. Patlian Johnson will serve a one-year term as Commissioner, also beginning on August 1, 2024. Johnson, a Strategy and Policy Advisor with extensive experience, currently holds the position of National Coordinator for the UNDP Project Office. She brings an impressive academic background, including a Master of Science in Economics and Finance from the University of Bristol and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Accounting with First Class Honours from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
The pair will replace outgoing Chairman Mr. Robin F. Gaul and Commissioner Mr. Melvin A. Turnbull, whose terms have concluded. Minister of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), praised the new appointments, stating, “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Farara and Ms. Johnson to the BVIFSC Board of Commissioners. Their combined expertise will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing the financial services sector.”
Smith also expressed gratitude to the departing board members for their significant contributions to the growth and stability of the territory’s financial services industry. According to the Government Information Service (GIS), these appointments underscore the Virgin Islands’ commitment to maintaining a well-regulated and competitive financial services sector.
Education
School Closure on Anegada as Power Outage Disrupts Island
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Search Underway After Vessel Capsizes Off Jost Van Dyke, One Dead, One Missing
-
Local News2 weeks ago
Oil Spill Forces Temporary Road Closure in Fish Bay
-
Local News1 week ago
Thirty-Six Naturalized as British Citizens in Ceremony at Government House
-
Education2 weeks ago
Eighty Virgin Islands Public Officers Complete Customer Service Training
-
Elections 20232 weeks ago
Virgin Islands Releases 2024 Preliminary Voters List for Public Review
-
Local News2 weeks ago
British Virgin Islands Premier Leads Delegation to London for Key Talks on Governance, Finance, and Climate Change
-
Local News1 week ago
Major Road Rehabilitation Projects Underway
-
Education2 days ago
HLSCC Expands Global Educational Pathway with CMI Level 3 Diploma