UPDATE: Near riot at HMP following stabbing of inmate
Mr Lettsome, 31, is serving a 20-year term for the offence of wounding with intent following a shooting incident in Crab Lot aka the Ghetto on November 18, 2011. Reports indicate that Mr Lettsome was stabbed at least once in the region of his chest and is reportedly still a patient at Peebles Hospital.
Virgin Islands News Online was reliably informed that the HM Prison was on lockdown following the stabbing incident as inmates seemed intent on rioting. This reportedly resulted in some prison guards hiding for their safety by locking away in a room.
It is still not clear what were the circumstances surrounding the stabbing of Mr Lettsome and the object that may have been used.
Efforts to get an official comment from the HM Prison were not successful.
It was only on February 2, 2013 that pandemonium had broken out at Her Majesty's Prison in Balsum Ghut after word circulated that a prisoner had escaped.
Virgin Island News Online was reliably informed that at the time Jessroy McKelly was on recreation break with other inmates when he negotiated his way out through the “CID area”.
This news site was further told that when word got around of the security breach, prison officers were sharp on sounding the alarm throughout the HM Prison and officers stepped into full riot gear as they attempted to secure the prison and guide other prisoners back to their cells.
"It was very close to a riot there because it had a few of the prisoners who were making it challenging by being resistant," a source told Virgin Islands News Online.
Mr McKelly was subsequently recaptured.
Also, it was only on February 21, 2013 that Minister for Education and Culture Myron V. Walwyn, speaking at the opening day of a 4-day strategic planning workshop for officers of HM Prison alluded to the recent escapes of prisoners from HMP and pointed to a number of security issues which were being addressed and, which he said, will be tightened by improved operating procedures.
"When these young people, and the majority of our inmates are young people, end up in the prison we must ensure that when they leave they are in a better position than before they went in," Hon. Walwyn had stated.
The Minister had also outlined a number of ways Government intended to ensure inmates are kept occupied and obtain skills that would help with their re-integration into society.
See previous article posted on February 28, 2013
Wakima Lettsome stabbed at Her Majesty's Prison
- prisoner was recently sentenced to 20 year term for wounding with intent
Information just reaching this news site indicates that an inmate at Her Majesty's Prison in Balsum Ghut was stabbed on February 28, 2013.
The prisoner in question is believed to be Wakima Lettsome. He was recently sentenced to a 20 year term for the offence of wounding with intent following a shooting incident that occurred in Crab Lot aka the Ghetto.
Reports received indicate that Lettsome was stabbed at least once in the region of his chest. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Peebles Hospital.
Lettsome had been found not guilty on the additional charge of attempted murder during his trial in the October assizes last year.
The sentence was handed down mere days ago on February 15, 2013 by High Court Judge Albert Redhead.
This news site will provide additional details as they become available.
23 Responses to “UPDATE: Near riot at HMP following stabbing of inmate”
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