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Elderly prisoner found dead in cell @HMP

- no indication of suspicious circumstances, says HMP
September 16th, 2025 | Tags: James Gordon prisoner inmate HMP dead Unresponsive
An elderly man, who was being held at His Majesty's Prison in Balsam Ghut for assault charges, was found dead in his cell today, September 16, 2025. Photo: VINO/File
His Majesty's Prison Service said, in accordance with established protocols, an investigation is underway, and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is conducting the necessary inquiries. Photo: GIS
His Majesty's Prison Service said, in accordance with established protocols, an investigation is underway, and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is conducting the necessary inquiries. Photo: GIS
BALSAM GHUT, Tortola, VI- An elderly man, who was being held at His Majesty's Prison in Balsam Ghut on assault charges, was found dead in his cell today, September 16, 2025.

According to reports reaching our News Centre, James Gordon, said to be in his 70s, was scheduled to be taken to the Magistrate's Court this morning, but was discovered unresponsive during routine checks.

He was subsequently pronounced dead by medical officials.

'No indication of suspicious circumstances'- HMP

His Majesty's Prison Service has since confirmed the incident via a Government Information Service (GIS) missive, adding that the next of kin has been duly notified, "and we extend our deepest condolences to the family during this difficult time."

HMP also said, in accordance with established protocols, an investigation is underway, and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is conducting the necessary inquiries.

"At this time, there is no indication of suspicious circumstances."

HMP said the Prison Chaplain and Counsellor remain available to offer support to staff, inmates, and family members who may be affected by this loss.

"No further information will be provided at this stage," His Majesty's Prison Service stated.

29 Responses to “Elderly prisoner found dead in cell @HMP”

  • Sad (16/09/2025, 12:12) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dear Jesus
  • bvibuzz (16/09/2025, 12:17) Like (2) Dislike (85) Reply
    under that white man things have gotten bad
  • Lack of rum (16/09/2025, 13:07) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    He had to had gotten the herrods
  • Senior native citizen of the British Virgin Islands (16/09/2025, 13:12) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    My heartfelt condolences to all his family members, genuine friends.
    I knew, Jame Gordon, outwardly to a very limited point. He was a mentally, not in control, troubled soul, as do many both in, and out of prison are.
    Sad, but true, we as a people of all demographic are being challenged from without, and within. Substance abuse, lack of family, and community support, and others are lacking. However, personal choices cannot be forced on anyone. People had not choice in choosing their parent, but they do have freedom of choice in choosing their God, and their habits. Most of the times, I believe, the choices that we have made in the past determine our position today. Equally true, I believe, that the choices we will make will determine our future, and by large our ultimate destination.

    Chose wisely, daily.
  • Sick (16/09/2025, 14:22) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    He was a sick man
  • SICK MAN (16/09/2025, 15:02) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    He was elderly and sick. Saw him at hospital recently with guards.
  • What expect (16/09/2025, 15:03) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    That jail no place for people in them 70s
  • Wvy he was remanded... (16/09/2025, 15:13) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    A guy this age should have gotten bail...This Magisteate. Hmmm. Hope he has a good family who will seek justice..
  • dave uncle (16/09/2025, 15:47) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Prison is over Crowded . How do you fix this issue?
    • BRAD BOYNES (17/09/2025, 10:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      At dave uncle, The prison has been overcrowded since they year 2000. Ask the Governor's officer why.
  • RUM/DRUGS DANGEROUS (16/09/2025, 17:45) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    JAMES GORDON (aka)JIMMY WAS NOT MENTAL.
    SAD TO SAY BUT HE WAS ADDICTED TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.
    THAT’S THE CHOICE THAT HE MADE AND A NUMBER OF THEM THAT HANG OUT AT FINE FOOD.
    POSSIBILITY HIS LIVER WAS FRIED
    THE RUM KILLING THEM ONE BY ONE AND THE REST OF THEM STILL BY FINE FOOD DRINKING IT DAILY.
    FINE FOOD WILL GET A BREAK FROM JIMMY LOUD, DISRESPECTFUL, CURSING BEHAVIOR.
    I’LL SAY IT AGAIN, HE WAS NOT MENTAL, HE ABUSED DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.



    • On the Inside (16/09/2025, 22:59) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      He was addicted to alcohol and drugs YES, but he was an inmate at the time of his death. No alcohol and drugs are served in Balo, so why didn’t the guards respond when he called out to them last night???

      Depending on who you are coming up here, you’re not human to most of these guards. Therefore, we can expect much more of these instances.
      May God have mercy on all of us.
      • concern (18/09/2025, 20:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        There is the mental, the sick, the shutting, the juvenile, the addicts, the old people home... The list goes on send them Balo...
        Get them out of the communities....
        Uhmmm which one you want to be the 1st responder too? Send your application...
  • INMATE (16/09/2025, 17:59) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply

    He was poisoned?

  • de silent one (16/09/2025, 19:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Was very shock to have heard that someone of that age was in prison. But if you do the crime regardless of age, thats where you are likely to be prison. Whatever the circumstances are surrounding his death, it's sad. May his soul RIP
  • Hangman (16/09/2025, 19:53) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    the magistrate so send the mental man to prison is just an guilty. They have about 8 mental patients up there locked up at Balsam Ghut.Thats how low the Court System here in The B.V I gone shame on the government.I know mental or not James Gordon Voted last Election these Politicians are Real Criminals
    • hmm (16/09/2025, 20:55) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      I bet if they had rob your house, throw a rock at your car or rape your child you’d want them in prison too ..mental illness doesn’t mean a slap on the risk it should be a combined treatment while paying the consequences
    • vi (16/09/2025, 21:23) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
      Shame on The Government.
    • @Hangman (17/09/2025, 09:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Petition your government to provide adequate facilities for housing and treating mental patients, then the Magistrates will have viable alternatives to prison.
  • Another bill (16/09/2025, 20:25) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government has another bill ... sad to say but he was remanded so that's the government's duty to bury him.
  • hm (16/09/2025, 20:52) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    How does someone kill thensleves in such a small prison.
  • crime (16/09/2025, 21:26) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why they have a 70 year old man in jail what did he do so bad to be there an the man done addicted to his alcohol for breakfast lunch an dinner ,now they got him lock up he couldn’t get any to drink why man pass
  • one eye rooster (17/09/2025, 06:58) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    Them Vincent prison warden done killl the man now them trying voter it up
  • HIS TIME (17/09/2025, 23:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    CAME , OUR TIME BEHIND / SO ALL YOU DIRTY MINDED SHARKS THAT IS GOING ABOUT RIPPING OFF OTHER HUMANS FOR YHE ALL MIGHTY DOLLAR ( YA'AL AIN'T TAKING ANYTHING DOWNSTAIRS WHEN YO GINE TO MEET THE DEVIL ???? ESPECIALLY " DEM GREEDY LANDLORDS " • WHEN IS THIS GOVERNMENT GONNA INVEST APPARTMENTS FORTHE POORER CLASS AND ELDERLY THAT IS BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY THESE PREDATORS / THOSE WHITE ELEPHANTS ON THE HILL COULD NOF BEEN MAKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE GOVERNMENT SINCE THEY WERE COMPLETED / WHAT A SET OF " WASTE AH TIME " ZEROES ( AKA ) WANNABE " HEROES " ) AND THEY REALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE ???? BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE TO BEAT THEIR CHEST AND BIGGING UP THEMSELVES ( AKA ) ( SELF PRAISING . AS CSC SAID " WE FRIGGED " AND HE EVEN REVERSED THEIR GAME ON THEM AND MOONWALKED AWAY WITH A COUPLE AH THOUSANDS DOLLARS OF OUR TAXPAYERS MONEY FOR DOING ABSOLUTELY * NOTHING * BY SIMPLY USING HIS MILLION DOLLAR SMILE AND A " LIL SWEET TARK " , AND NOW HE'S ON AIR THE WAVES FLEXING OFF HESELF ON THEM BY DICTATING TO THEM , ON HOW TO RUN THE COUNTRY WITH HIS MASTERMIND LYRICS • WELL AH GUESS THATS HOW HE EARNED THE " CITY SLICKER , MORE POWER TO YOU BRO , WHEN YOU PLAN TO SIT IN THE SEAT OF " PREMIER " OF US YOUR HUMBLE SERVANTS •¿• EH ❓️ ???? ~ LORDY CLAUDIE FOR PREMIER NEXT ELECTION .
  • Herb life (18/09/2025, 06:59) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    But tell mi, how di Rasta man even live so long, star


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