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Police raided HM Prison yesterday, January 26, 2019

- Found cell phones, marijuana and other contraband
Word reaching our news centre is that yesterday Saturday, January 26, 2019, in the wee hours of the morning around 5:00 am, a team from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), and Officers from Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) carried out a raid on the Prison Compound. Photo: VINO/File
One Officer who was on hand—but is not authorised to publicly discuss the exercise—spoke on condition of anonymity and said, “it was a routine and structured exercise.” Photo: Team of Reporters
One Officer who was on hand—but is not authorised to publicly discuss the exercise—spoke on condition of anonymity and said, “it was a routine and structured exercise.” Photo: Team of Reporters
Since Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL)—who shared responsibilities for the prison service—hired St. Lucian, Vern A. G. Garde over locals, there have been mixed reviews of improvements at HMP located at Balsam Ghut on Tortola, the main island. Facebook/File
Since Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL)—who shared responsibilities for the prison service—hired St. Lucian, Vern A. G. Garde over locals, there have been mixed reviews of improvements at HMP located at Balsam Ghut on Tortola, the main island. Facebook/File
BALSAM GHUT, Tortola, VI - Word reaching our news centre is that yesterday Saturday, January 26, 2019, in the wee hours of the morning around 5:00am, a team from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), and Officers from Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) conducted a raid on the Prison Compound.

One Officer who was on hand—but is not authorised to publicly discuss the exercise—spoke on condition of anonymity and said, “it was a routine and structured exercise.”

Routine operation? 

The Fire and Rescue Department was also on hand in case of any fire or other situation getting out of hand. According to the same source, all visits were cancelled for Saturday and the RVIPF K9 Unit found cell phones, marijuana and other contrabands in the cells of inmates.

Since Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL)—who shared responsibilities for the prison service—hired St. Lucian, Vern A. G. Garde over locals, there have been mixed reviews of improvements at HMP located at Balsam Ghut on Tortola, the main island.

Many prison officers and inmates complain about their human rights being violated, where officers for example, cannot even take their cell phones to work.

Human Rights violation?

Mr Garde is said to be imposing everything that he practice in St. Lucia on the Tortola facility and many have said even the new Prison Amendment Act 2018, was lifted from the St. Lucia Act.

There are also moves to severely restrict visiting of inmates by their families and friends.  A call to Mr Garde—a close ally of the embattled Education Minister Walwyn who is under police investigation—was not immediately returned.

14 Responses to “Police raided HM Prison yesterday, January 26, 2019”

  • 1 (27/01/2019, 13:28) Like (49) Dislike (1) Reply
    so things getting tuff in the hotel lol
  • Outspoken (27/01/2019, 13:37) Like (61) Dislike (11) Reply
    Leave the man alone let him do his job and get back the prison under some level of control.
  • Backdoor deal (27/01/2019, 13:55) Like (9) Dislike (18) Reply
    Soooooo, this was the deal for sending them St. Lucia. Reduce the rate (speculating) so they can put one of theirs in charge.... Well Played!!!!
    • The Hooded Claw (28/01/2019, 05:03) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are soo correct! What they did first was send the two cat-5 hurricanes to destroy the prison just to send the prisoners to Sy.Lucia. you're a genius! No shit Sherlock!
  • Good! (27/01/2019, 14:02) Like (62) Dislike (1) Reply
    About time they experience what a prison really is. They are no supposed to want to be there, and should certainly not want to go back.
  • tell me (27/01/2019, 14:20) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    So we are trying to say it's ok for these stuff to be in the position of prisoners and there in lock down only in the BVI when we will ever get pass these petty bull piss and start to act civilized... stop blame government and get real these stuff is prohibited in the prison
  • Eagle Eye (27/01/2019, 15:17) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you can get ganja in jail then where else you can't get it lol
  • Regular visitor (27/01/2019, 17:18) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    What a vast improvement over the years I have bee visiting. There is other great news yet to be told. Wait and see.
  • school children say (27/01/2019, 18:25) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    There was a lot more discovered that they not telling about.
  • bouttime (27/01/2019, 20:19) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    School children can’t take cell phones but prisoners can?
    Bout time jail is for real
  • good job (28/01/2019, 12:24) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Tell the st. Lucian while he's at it to make room for some of them in the No Direction Party too.
  • eye witness (30/01/2019, 08:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That man have you people fool of just like Myrun. Ant nothing change all he doing is spending or tax money on little boys.
  • onlooker (31/01/2019, 07:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    @good..I agree 110% with what you’ve said..it’s a prison not a hotel.. because they’re so soft on these prisoners why some of them have this mentally that they’re not afraid to go back..if the new “super” is being able to run the prison as it should be run, all power to him.. prison should be a place that if God help you to get out that you don’t ever want to see that place “again”..run the prison super in a way that it can become a deterrent to one committing a crime .. make them afraid to come to Balo..also at times some of those guards are “Toooo” friendly with the inmates-why the inmates show them no respect..Mr. Super make Balo a prison not a BVI HOTEL..


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