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Increased reports of human rights breaches @ HMP- SFC Report

- Complaints Commission calls for Human Rights Commission
Complaints Commissioner (CC) of the Complaints Commission, Mrs Sheila N. Brathwaite, right, wants an independent third party designated to probe complaints about discrimination and human rights breaches in the Virgin Islands, following numers complaints from inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison. Photo: VINO/File
The Complaints Commission informed Standing Finance Committee about the receipt of phone calls from prisoners, which prompted the Commission to visit the prison. Photo: VINO/File
The Complaints Commission informed Standing Finance Committee about the receipt of phone calls from prisoners, which prompted the Commission to visit the prison. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Complaints Commissioner (CC) of the Complaints Commission, Mrs Sheila N. Brathwaite wants an independent third party designated to probe complaints about discrimination and human rights breaches in the Virgin Islands.

Mrs Brathwaite said this is due to the rise in complaints that the Commission receives from Her Majesty's Prison (HMP).

"The CC further informed the committee about the receipt of phone calls from prisoners which prompted them to visit the prison. There they found that the library was void of legal material and were able to show them several legal websites for research purposes. She further indicated the need for the Human Rights Commission given various complaints received from families and prisoners, "the Standing Finance Committee Report (SFCR) stated.

Standing Finance Committee was held between November 20 and 29, 2019 at the Office of the House of Assembly in Road Town, Tortola.

The SFCR said, according to Brathwaite, the most frequent complaints received pertained to the non-responsiveness of public officers.

Prisoners being ill-treated

It was on December 19, 2019, when we reported that Second District Representative in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) related that on a recent visit to the Balsam Ghut facility, prisoners reported they were being tased in the head and face while being handcuffed.

"Listening to the concerns of the prisoners and Hon Smith [Neville A. Smith (AL)] and Hon Penn [Marlon A. Penn (R8)] were there as well... we need to ensure, Mr Speaker, that yes they are incarcerated, but we need to ensure that there is some guard watching the guard," he said on December 13, 2019, budget debates during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA). 

Hon Turnbull continued, "because the reports that I was made aware of, and we might have our own opinions... what we think about them or the crime that they may be incarcerated or even on remand for, but some of the instances that I was made aware of Mr Speaker it just can't be right that persons are being treated like that," he said.

St Lucia national Verne A. G. Garde is the current Superintendent of Prisons.

10 Responses to “Increased reports of human rights breaches @ HMP- SFC Report”

  • attorney (23/12/2019, 11:09) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Seems like they afraid to send home my run bf
  • Hold Up!! (23/12/2019, 11:36) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    What about the rights of law abiding citizens, e.g. inferior insurance forced down our throats!!! Give us, us freeeee!!! (Then focus on prison)
  • tola (23/12/2019, 12:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This dept is just ah waste strupes
  • Public service mindset (23/12/2019, 14:43) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    It seems the complaints commission lady wants to get big money, but want to shove the difficult part of the job unto an "independent third party". Kinda reminds me of that former permanent secretary of communications and works. But in this case he end up in the same agency that he wanted to do the hard work, lol.

    Be careful what you ask for, complaints lady.
  • Sam (23/12/2019, 20:56) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    There are to many foriegnors there that are in positions they dont qualify for
    Intelligence two dummies
    Security how many locals
    Rehab how many locals
    Prison officer how many locals
    Kitchen how many locals
    They all need to go home
  • # liat 521 (24/12/2019, 22:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    it need a change in leadership i can't see why you have to say infront V G face he doing a good job and he have the place in a mess, before inmates was not assaulting female officers now they getting more assaults than men.
    this man feel he can cover up everything and put a spin
    hope they reversed all his fake appointees and have a proper transparent process

    can't manage V G
  • voice (24/12/2019, 22:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the head is a big disappointment, he should be on Broadway filming
    very juvenile leadership styles.
  • Tadow (25/12/2019, 08:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What the hell wrong with you people. Those men and women are criminals. That's the way they should be treated. It is my wish for them to commit crime against you all who are lobbying for good treatment for them. Gor-dam-mit man.


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