Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

UPDATE: Near riot at HMP following stabbing of inmate

Virgin Islands News Online was reliably informed that the HM Prison was on lock-down following the stabbing incident on February 28, 2013 as inmates seemed intent on rioting. This reportedly resulted in some prison guards hiding for their safety by locking away in a room. Photo: VINO/File
Wakima Lettsome was sentenced to a 20 year prison term on February 15, 2013. Photo:VINO/file
Wakima Lettsome was sentenced to a 20 year prison term on February 15, 2013. Photo:VINO/file
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- There was another scare for prison officers yesterday, February 28, 2013 as inmates of Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsum Ghut became uneasy following the stabbing of Wakima Lettsome.

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”

  • VIlander (28/02/2013, 09:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm not surprised, that boy is a trouble maker & not mentally stable on top of that he likes to be in ting with ppl & can't avoid probs.
  • qc (28/02/2013, 09:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    oh lord..
  • weed (28/02/2013, 09:49) Like (1) Dislike (20) Reply
    well may bouy look trouble in the bull pen
  • mickey (28/02/2013, 09:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    God don't like ugly!
  • Sigh (28/02/2013, 10:02) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    ONLY GODS INTERVENTION COULD HELP THIS YOUNG MAN. HE WILL NEVER LEARN UNTILL HE IS IN THE GRAVE.
  • . (28/02/2013, 10:07) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    From the prison you march to the cemetry...thats where all bad men end up you see
  • .. (28/02/2013, 10:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You live by the sword you die by the sword...You reap what you sow
  • scumbags (28/02/2013, 10:26) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    As someone else said if you live by the sword you die by the sword - i would also add that everyone gets what they deserve. I have no sympathy for any of these ruthless killers - let them all be put into one room together with a bunch of knives and let these scumbags sort it out amongst themselves. Our tax payers money can be better spent elsewhere!
  • under the bus (28/02/2013, 10:53) Like (1) Dislike (20) Reply
    I pray that you will be alright Wakimba
  • mother hen (28/02/2013, 11:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    oh lord..Man you make me laugh
  • steel man (28/02/2013, 11:21) Like (0) Dislike (10) Reply
    Shame on you who ever did this to the poor child
  • fired (28/02/2013, 14:51) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    maybe he did not give punkin what he wanted
    • Yes (01/03/2013, 13:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      LOL
    • Young Breed (01/03/2013, 16:21) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      No it have a Jamdown prisoner by the name of RATTY who REGULATING up deh. GET DOWN OR LAY DOWN
      • Hardly a fight (10/03/2013, 13:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        To my source four inmates rushed wakimba with knivies and for more than five minutes they was fighting for wakimba was lucky.
  • ~The Chair~ (01/03/2013, 14:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    "This reportedly resulted in some prison guards hiding for their safety by locking away in a room".

    LOL very interesting...........YOU ARE A PRISON GUARD DO WHAT YOU HAE TO DO TO RESTORE ORDER INTHE PLACE..........You have a fire hose with presure .....USE IT!!!!!!
  • ym (01/03/2013, 15:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Here dem buh lock dwn dem could frabicate sah..
  • WELCOME (01/03/2013, 19:21) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    No doubt the decision was influenced by those facts becoming public.
  • Ninja (01/03/2013, 20:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    A wah some 9u$$y a try mi dawg

  • wise-up (02/03/2013, 07:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    You can not fault the prison guard; his main role is to send money via western union back-home so he must protect himself
  • My My (03/03/2013, 09:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Week in week out, from farce to farce, horror to horror, fiasco to fiasco, bacchanal to bacchanal, circus to circus. Enough is Enough.
  • tretretrete (10/03/2013, 13:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr.Lettsome I wonder why people jealous you so! WhAt have done these people why them can't keep off of your name you special... I don't know you but most people I know say your a nice young man .. Well I guess it only your enemies is who blogging this is their weapon cause them afraid of you be strong . But did you get employee of the Quarter twice and still so kind of commendation for your helpfulness.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.