Prison cells at Her Majesty's Prison are said to have leaking roofs and have to be covered with canvas to prevent water from getting in whenever it rains. Photo: VINO/File

Deputy Superintendent of Prisons (Ag) Mr Royston L. Percival's report at the closing of the final criminal assizes for 2013 on December 16 spoke of the highs and lows at Her Majesty's Prison at Balsam Ghut. Photo: VINO/File

HMP falls under the Ministry of Education and Culture headed by Honourable Myron V. Walwyn. Photo: VINO/File

Locals are said to account for the greater number of inmates at Her Majesty's Prison. Photo: VINO/File

Currently the staff population at HMP totals eighty eight (88), which includes eight (8) civilian workers. However, staffing continues to be a big challenge. A recent job fair was held to attract applications. Photo: VINO/File

The news did not go down well with High Court Judge Ms Vicki Ann Ellis and Attorney at Law Stephen Daniels who were both forced to remind Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (Ag.) Mr Royston L. Percival of the rights of prisoners and admonished that the problem be looked at urgently.

In his Report at the closing of the criminal assizes, Mr Percival stated “Sadly, we are still using canvas on the roof of the prison buildings to prevent water from entering the cells when it rains. My Lady, whenever it rains, it is without doubt a sad reminder of our most troubling infrastructural challenges that we face on a day to day basis. However, we know that our long standing cries have not been falling on deaf ears.”

Despite the fact that this has been a challenge at HMP for a very long time, Mr Percival said they are not only highly optimistic but confident that the ‘powers that be’ will come to their aid and rescue them from this prevailing dilemma in the not too distant future. “So for this we humbly thank them in advance,” he added.

Her Majesty’s Prison, located in Balsam Ghut, falls under the Ministry of Education and Culture headed by Honourable Myron V. Walwyn.

This glaring violation of prisoners’ rights must have also missed the ears of Members of the Opposition although they have frequently condemned the state of affairs at HMP.

Hospital calls

Doctor visits to the institution/HMP for the months of November and December 2013 thus far accounted for 64 inmates being attended to, 43 in November and 21 so far for this month.

“We are truly grateful to Mrs. Darlene Baptiste, CEO of the BVI Health Services Authority and her staff for a job well done over the months for their efficiency and also for effectively helping us to address the various health issues which occurred from time to time,” said Mr Percival.

He said that a few months ago in excess of four (4) inmates were admitted at Peebles Hospital at once and their success in dealing with several challenges that came with that was strongly dependant on the great continuing partnership between the BVI Health Services Authority and HMP. 

HMP dominated by locals

The other announcement that took the High Court by surprise, jurors in particular, was the revelation that the greater population of HMP was made up of locals. This also came out in Mr Percival’s report to the High Court during the closing session of the assizes.

It was reported that to date there is a total of seventy six (76) locals and fifty six (56) expatriates in custody.

He said that at HMP they are continuously enduring the challenges of coping with an inflated prison population with stringent budgetary constraints. “For example, the beginning of 2012 to last week our close of day counts was averaging one hundred-forty three (143) inmates per day. Interesting, however, we were tremendously blessed over the last two weeks with only two (2) admittances and a record ten (10) discharges,” Mr Percival reported.

As at the beginning of yesterday there were one hundred and thirty two (132) inmates in custody, including three (3) females.

Staff shortage still a major problem

Currently the staff population at HMP totals eighty eight (88), including eight (8) civilian workers. However, staffing continues to be a big challenge. According to Mr Percival, although five (5) officers were recently appointed and trained they are still short by about sixteen (16) officers in order to effectively deal with the heightened accumulated vacation leaves.

“As a result, in early November, 2013 we had our first ever prison job fair. It was a very successful endeavour and we are presently in the process of reviewing applications arising from the said job fair with the hope of filling the required posts in the not too distant future,” he stated.

High note

According to Mr Percival, 2013 is ending on a very high note for HMP with the appointment of the new Superintendent, Mr David Foot.

Prior to Superintendent Foot’s appointment, Mr and Mrs Edwards of Edwards Consulting were contracted to oversee the daily operations at HMP and to help with the revitalizing of the rehabilitation process and programmes. This was in keeping with the five (5) year strategic plan which they were previously contracted to draft.

The Library Services Bookmobile makes regular visits to Her Majesty’s Prison every other Friday. The services are extended to the Juvenile, Female and Male inmates. They provide the inmates with a variety of novels, educational books, magazines and newspapers.

Mr Percival also reported on programmes of Individual counselling sessions, group counselling, Houses of Healing, Anger Management and Skill Programmes being undertaken at HMP.

“All in all, it is our endeavour to continue to build on the rehabilitative foundation that was re-enforced by the Edwards and Edwards Consulting and courageous move forward to a height in prison operation that is second to none in the region under the experiential leadership of our new Superintendent Mr David Foot,” Deputy Superintendent of Prison (Ag.) Mr Royston L. Percival stated.