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Prison Officer allegedly attacked by inmate in HMP brawl today!

There was a reported incident of an inmate getting into a physical fight with a prison guard at the state-owned penitentiary located at Balsam Ghut on the main island of Tortola today, January 2, 2016. Photo: VINO/File.
Last year, 2016, Her Majesty’s Prison, headed by United Kingdom national David Foot, was rocked by scandals. Photo: VINO/File
Last year, 2016, Her Majesty’s Prison, headed by United Kingdom national David Foot, was rocked by scandals. Photo: VINO/File
BALSAM GHUT, Tortola, VI- Word reaching our newsroom from our Team of Reporters around the Virgin Islands is that today January 2, 2017 there was a reported incident of an inmate getting into a physical fight with a prison guard at the state-owned penitentiary located at Balsam Ghut on the main island of Tortola.

The details of the brawl at Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) are sketchy at this time; however, the Special Unit from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) was alerted and was ready to respond in case of any further escalation.

As the confrontation erupted just before 11:00 AM, the prison went on lockdown and all inmates had to be in their cells.

It is unclear the root of the confrontation and if anyone was injured.

HMP rocked by scandal

Last year HMP, headed by United Kingdom national David Foot, was in the news over a prisoner lighting his cell on fire, other fights between inmates and inmates with prison officers.

Additionally, there was also scandal last year where a prisoner escaped twice from the compound of the facility but was recaptured.

There were also allegations of sexual encounters, and the lack of hiring of locals in senior positions at the government run facility remains an outstanding issue.

The prison is also overcrowded and some inmates complain about how they are treated and what they are given to eat, as well as the unfair legal system.

The responsibilities of HMP are shared between Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) and United Kingdom appointed Governor John S. Duncan OBE.

21 Responses to “Prison Officer allegedly attacked by inmate in HMP brawl today!”

  • long look me come from (02/01/2017, 20:44) Like (9) Dislike (14) Reply
    see better they had given he job to a local
    • Reply (02/01/2017, 20:49) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      The question, then, is: “What can we do as a people to improve the Virgin Islands for the benefit of all?
  • chicken coming home to roost (02/01/2017, 20:47) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    It is now so clear and there is no doubt that our society is disorganised and that the people have lost trust in all our institutions, which has led to a distinct disconnect between the people and all those who are placed with the responsibility and authority to govern our institutions.
  • pat (02/01/2017, 20:56) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    The well-being of the inmates cannot be viewed in abstraction and must be aligned to the community. The community’s existence is based on the policies each government puts in place, be it educational, social, economic, political or legislative.

    We need prison reform and both Foot, Myron and Mr. Duncan have failed
  • lost (02/01/2017, 21:01) Like (93) Dislike (1) Reply
    The inmates complaining about how they are treated and what they eat? I'm comfused.. I'm not saying they are to be treated like slaves but when you break the law, you can't expect to be treated like kings, or to eat like them.. If they wanted to be treated better they should've thought about that before they did the crime.. If I remember correctly, it's taxpayers money which support said wrongdoers. What if the families of these people had to pay for everything that they ate. Maybe families would teach their own right from wrong in the beginning. They up there living and eating for free while people out here actually trying to get somewhere in life is living from paycheck to paycheck.
    • duh (03/01/2017, 09:13) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree...I am uncertain though, why fights between inmates or inmates and guards is a news item, I would expect that such would happen from time to time, many of the inmates after all are violent (that's why they're in prison). I would also imagine that the problems at the Prison can not be solved overnight under this or any other administration. It is more complicated than most organizations and one man, local or not, cannot snap his fingers and make it right.
      Let's try to use reason in considering this and all situations in the Government
  • voiceofthevoiceless (02/01/2017, 21:05) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    We must be truthful about the fact that we are the creators of our problems, and only we as citizens can collectively address and solve these societal problems. If we continue to bury our heads, we will remain in this perpetual morass.

    Until we realise that our insensitivity to the genuine needs of all citizens must take precedence over selfish needs, no amount of NDP, VIP, new Party, Media, talk show hosts will save our country.
  • huh (02/01/2017, 22:44) Like (29) Dislike (3) Reply
    What they are given to eat? You in prison, you give up your freedom to eat what you want. What the h.ll, you want lobster tail in butter sauce, baked potato, toss salad and baked Alaska for your meal? The only thing they deserve to eat in prison is bread and sugar water for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    • Observer (03/01/2017, 10:07) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
      Well sorry to bust your bubble make sure you pay sure taxes because I want to make sure that we eat your tax money. And you forgot to mention mutton every Friday and barbecue chicken on Sunday. Take that
      • So (03/01/2017, 12:43) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        That mean that you are blogging from the inside. Continue to eat your mutton and barbecue chicken. And enjoy it while you can. Good eats.
      • laughing (03/01/2017, 13:07) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Observer, and while you are eating the mutton and barbecue chicken, please pick up a book and read.What is make you pay SURE taxes.
      • de observer (03/01/2017, 15:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        lol
    • lolol (04/01/2017, 09:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      LOLOLOLOLOLLLLLLL
  • Well (03/01/2017, 08:07) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    The insult is they are complaining about what they eat when, I the working person and, some of the same people who family they have victimized is footing the bill for them to sit back on their A..es all day or walk the prison grounds like a bunch of ants dress up in street clothes. As far as I am concern, they can grind up oats, grass and hay and feed them that. Or let their families foot the bill for their food.

  • Local (03/01/2017, 08:59) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    I bin prison and we do get lobster tail with butter sauce so don't hate cause your or yo family members might end up in their so keep talking cause it's to easy to get caught up in Tola any one of you can get lock up for hear say.
  • who feels it knows it (03/01/2017, 09:00) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    who feels it knows it . everybody ain grow up with a gold spoon so some of the stuff bening done was a choice to eat a an choice get by
  • ting te talk (03/01/2017, 10:13) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Only a hand full of officers on duty with all those inmates.... SUPPOSE JUST SUPPOSE......I will put pen to paper just now - I love to write! Majority sent on leave, high ones home sitting with their families and another set calling in sick more than a woman. It's terrible at the Balsam Hotel.
  • Observer (03/01/2017, 11:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why you complaining for you do the same thing the majority if not all just come for a pay check, when they come for the first couple months and realized what time it is they follow suit . Talk about the real problem officers fighting for position and white shirts man them trying to tide off they can with a promise position or better working schedule these are the things you need to address but you can't cause you guilty of all . So shut your trap.
  • Yes (03/01/2017, 12:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHO WON?
  • Yes (03/01/2017, 13:12) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    he has Foot but no Hands


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