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Williams displayed high level of depression prior to death- HMP source

- said counsellor should have been immediately alerted
Treh Williams, who reportedly committed suicide on March 21, 2017 at Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut, was allegedly displaying a high level of depression hours before he was found hanging in his cell. Photo: Facebook
Treh Williams was serving a six-month sentence for being armed with an offensive weapon and assault causing actual bodily arm. Photo: Facebook/VINO
Treh Williams was serving a six-month sentence for being armed with an offensive weapon and assault causing actual bodily arm. Photo: Facebook/VINO
BALSAM GHUT, Tortola, VI – Information from our sources in the Her Majesty’s Prison at Balsam Ghut is that Treh Williams was displaying a high level of depression hours before he was found hanging in his cell.

Williams was pronounced dead on March 21, 2017 at Her Majesty’s Prison.

It was reported that one prison officer had challenges getting the man to accept food or to eat. “In one instance an officer found his food container tied in a bag and placed at the top of a garbage bin. When he was asked why he put away his food bowl he denied that he did. He was subsequently given the food bowl and told to go wash it in order to get some food but he didn’t. Something was going wrong with him from then,” reported the source.

Relatives summoned

As Williams’ behaviour change allegedly escalated and officers found it challenging to get him to eat and communicate as per normal, two of his “very close blood relatives” were summoned to speak with him and they did.

“He seemed to have been ok and so he was taken back to his cell; however when the officer went to check on him in his cell about half hour or so after, he called out to him several times and got no response. He then opened the peep area on the cell door and that is when he noticed Treh’s feet way above ground level and he sounded an alarm.”

According to our source, the prison system is to be blamed for the death of Treh Williams as, according to a senior prison officer, “Counsellors are not always in the right place at the right time and many, many times prison officers have to wear two or three caps, counsellor, mediator and prison officer. In the case a counsellor should have been called in pronto,” our source noted.

Treh Williams was at the time serving a six-month sentence for being armed with an offensive weapon and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Prior to his incarceration, Williams' washed vehicles for income in the parking lot across the road from Bobby's Supermarket in Road Town.

21 Responses to “Williams displayed high level of depression prior to death- HMP source”

  • Cuz (23/03/2017, 10:15) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP
  • Sadly (23/03/2017, 10:18) Like (34) Dislike (1) Reply
    The entire country is depressed, saddened, stressed. It's just a sign of what life feels like under the current environment. i saw one student almost commit suicide too parents, family, coworker and friends turn on children, family, coworker and friends. People are being raped, murdered, tortured, abused physically and emotionally. It's real out here dawg. This guy don't want to face life out here. More sadness to come until the country change. Everyday the government spit war even against the highest monarch. It's a miserable f$;;ked up time the BVI experiencing now man. Condolence to the family and may his soul RIP.
    • Peaches (23/03/2017, 11:48) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
      @sadly It is very sad my dear. This guy should have been in the Behavioral Health Ward at Peebles Hospital and not in the prison. These prison officers need the proper training to detect when a prisoner is severely depressed and suicidal. I hear your cry but only God can heal this land. 2nd Chronicles 7:14 says: "If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will heal their land.
  • Binocs (23/03/2017, 11:30) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    There are serious problem in the BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS and it is not addressing properly . Some children have problem at home and at the public schools another one is children who lost one or both parents one of the most serious is small children who lost a father to violent crime . Who ever look out for these children I can bet you not one because I know of one child today is suffering daily and no one in the government help with this child god bless for caring families and friends. Some of the people who works in the /// heart is like stone and another if their ///// // //// you think they care no and a small community instead of a kind words they sink people further in their trouble. And with out help for these children they will grow up living a depress life . It is time to take a stand to help these young people before it get worst and believe me it will. The minister in charge please look into this.
    • 100 (23/03/2017, 21:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      As a child who was a victim of dead beat parents I couldn't agree with you more. A serious problem in society is men refusing to be men and take responsibility to support their kids. The gangsters step in where these cowards fail and as a result they are looked up to as role models for providing refuge in a time of need. You wonder why our society going to $#!+, cause criminals have the backbone that these deadbeats don't.
  • Hhm (23/03/2017, 13:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The goverment know he wasnt all here yet send him up for a petty crime.and he was just defending himself the majestrate should feel this one n kno she couldve did something else with his penalty.he even was smiling walking into the court house to be tried! Hmm
    • Reader (24/03/2017, 15:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      One thing you have said right is "he wasn't all here", however, calling the crime he committed "petty" is your view, but not necessarily correct. I read where he went after someone possibly with a matchet, after which the person who he was after, took up a rock in self-defense. Then is when he dropped the weapon and ran...
  • voice (23/03/2017, 13:40) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is a messed up world we are living where persons are shunned for saying they are depressed, going through something, etc., with many quick to say you'll be just fine, shunning you further for seeking counseling.

    Many people are for themselves, their needs, their views, their wants, not really caring what someone else is dealing with and what's affecting them.

    My advice to persons going through turmoil, depression, hardship, loneliness, is to remember you matter, your feelings matter, your thoughts matter, you are not alone, there are so many other going through something similar.

    Get counseling to better understand how to deal with your situation and relieve the stress that surrounds you. It's like chipping away at a brick wall on your shoulders and the more you open up to someone about it, the easier it is to get though it.

    You are important, you are valuable, your life matters. Make it count.

  • SAYING IT (23/03/2017, 14:34) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    He should have been monitored when he started showing signs of depression or not wanting to eat. Or, get him to the hospital for a evaluation. I blame the prison system for what happen. RIP dude. You are not mentally tortured anymore.

  • wize up (23/03/2017, 16:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    where is the love and the caring this territory once had(I am very mindful that we have progressed) the price for progress is often very high (sad to say our people are being left behind or left out in this progress)
  • eyes wide shut (23/03/2017, 17:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why them send him jail in the first place the judge his lawyer the prison officers all are to blame he need to be in a mental facility he sick from time I see how he moving I knew he lost his mind and a mind is a terrible thing to lose rip still this hurt me dread
  • to god be the glory (23/03/2017, 17:48) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are our worst enemy. People will drive you crazy. Responsibility will drive you crazy. Work will drive you crazy, friends and family will drive you nuts but if you're out there and still standing to god be the glory keep your foot on the solid ground. Used and abused, tortured and neglected, lost a job, a love one, in sickeness, in jail...giving up on life is not an option people. Your life is not over until God says it is. Be a walking miracle, testify for the lord. Know that your life is in the hands of the lord not the devil. Maybe what you're trying to achieve is not the plan the lord has for you. "Wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD...Psalm 27.13

    Peace be with you all.
  • Wendy (23/03/2017, 22:23) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    And the representative wants more courts, next it will be more prisons. Some people afe really depressed an prison aint the place. Some getting caught with l oi adede guns on the street, not a night in prison. The poor young man flipped because he mentally disturbed and he gets six months. SMH.
  • Signs (24/03/2017, 09:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He went off from time and shouldn't been in jail,when you see laughing and smiling at things that ain't no joke its a sign,He was going off from time and mentally ill ppl can't be ramping with drink ,ganja nothing.He was suffering from psychosis,going for a weapon because somebody hyperventilating...Signs...paranoia....he needed help long time...don't blame this on the ganja...he was a cracked vessel that wasn't built for the herb...like a lot of these youth...them can't TEK it.Respect to the family and friends.The prison and health dept have a lot to answer to on this one.
  • bruh (24/03/2017, 21:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    We strings &sh*t doing in deh cell

  • Mental health is real (25/03/2017, 11:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone is so quick to judge...so quick to make their own assumptions. Pain is real...mental health is real! We all deal with trying times but not everyone has coping skills. Not everyone can recognize that we are ill and need medical attention. Going back 11 years and 8 months his storyline is deep. He coped with inner pain eating and tearing him away. As blacks and islanders we dont want to believe that mental health is a diagnosed disease. I ask for his forgiveness and mercy. This act seemed like his only solution at that point. Coming from a family where we are close but we don't speak on feelings... we internalize everything. I'm not blaming anyone or anything but the prison system could have taken other actions than the ones they did knowing they recognized the change in behavioral patterns. May his soul rest please...Joining his Mom...Little Brother again.


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