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Over 50 persons on remand @ HMP, spanning 6 mths to 3 years!– Hill

Some 50 individuals are on remand at the state facility, Her Majesty's Prison in Balsam Ghut. Photo: VINO/File
Superintendent of Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut, Mr Guy M. Hill there are over 50 prisoners on remand, ranging from six months to three years. Photo: VINO/File
Superintendent of Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut, Mr Guy M. Hill there are over 50 prisoners on remand, ranging from six months to three years. Photo: VINO/File
BALSAM GHUT, Tortola, VI- Superintendent of Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut, Mr Guy M. Hill said currently there are more than 50 individuals on remand at the state facility.

The Superintendent made the statement during the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) for the 2022 budget estimates at Maria’s By The Sea.

According to the SFC report, Superintendent Hill, “stated that there are over fifty prisoners on remand, ranging from six months to three years.”

Increase in prisoners on remand- Justice Pereira

Just recently, in the feature address to mark the opening of the new Law Year, Chief Justice Dame Janice M. Pereira complained about the increasing number of persons on remand across the Eastern Caribbean states.

She said on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, that this is not a step in the right direction for the justice system.

“There has been an increase in the number of persons on remand in already overcrowded prisons. This does not bode well for any state and has serious implications for the maintenance and promotion of the rule of law and indeed the peace and security of us all.”

“It is disheartening and quite troubling when those accused of inflicting harm and those who have suffered harm find common ground in lamenting the seemingly interminable wait for justice,” she stated.

According to the Chief Justice, the “criminal justice system is in dire need of robust reform.”

The Superintendent stated that one hundred and sixteen 116 prisoners in total: one hundred 100 adults, and six females. 

HMP is able to house 140 prisoners.

11 Responses to “Over 50 persons on remand @ HMP, spanning 6 mths to 3 years!– Hill”

  • People (20/01/2022, 13:55) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is very sad sad sad
  • annudda2cents (20/01/2022, 15:12) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    it may very well be necessary to establish a separate facility that houses persons on remand. a person on remand should never be seen the same as a person serving a sentence for the simple reason that one is waiting to know if they will be found guilty or innocent, and the other is already serving a sentence. also, if there isn't already, there should be a guideline stipulating how long cases should take depending on the nature of the crime. judges, lawyers, prosecutors, and other members of the judicial system cannot at whim postpone or delay trials that otherwise would be tried with great expediency once all the procedures have been followed, and a set time line set for said procedures to be followed. cases are often delayed or postponed for very trivial reasons and that cannot be in this day and age. justice delayed is justice denied. end of story.
    • Love this island (20/01/2022, 17:29) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Fully agree with "annundda2cents" have a law that prevents a set amount of time to pass on cases, and don't treat people like they not human before, after and during a sentence. Cause if it was you waiting with life on pause or a loved one you would be frustrated and hate the system and blame the leaders.

      But real talk you do anything to make a positive change for everyone to get treated right. not looking for popularity looking for change in healthier direction. VI people to blessed and talented to be killing the people and culture. Other places wish to be us but we want to be like everywhere else.
  • WOW (20/01/2022, 16:55) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Isn't this a violation of human rights?
  • Forbidden Truth (20/01/2022, 19:07) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is a tendency for the judiciary, courts, prosecutors and this general society to be punitive. Watch our behaviour, temperament, and attitude towards each other.
  • Maths ain mathin (20/01/2022, 20:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    116 prisoners …100 male 6 females..10 dogs?
  • ... (20/01/2022, 21:24) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    There are guys up there already served their time being on remand, got a next charge brought forward to them with no evidence so now gotta wait until evidence is brought forward while still being held on remand.
    Now tell me either them so call judges don't have no sense at all or they just down right evil!
    Cause that's b@#$@#$t!
  • hmmm (21/01/2022, 08:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Your tax dollars at work!
  • Easy (21/01/2022, 09:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Too msny people overall in this place.
    Evaluate the demographics of the offenders and thei nmates.
    Eliminate the commonalities and from there,use as a guideline in determining isduance of residency and visas.
  • yeah (21/01/2022, 09:43) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The system just needs to be changed, if you don't have sufficient evidence don't arrest. Persons go to court and the DPP office says we have more evidence coming forth, six months later evidence still ain't reach more time is needed. Magistrate's allow this in the court. Date of trial, they need another date because witness can't be found, now the individual is serving almost a year plus and still waiting. Date of trial, the counsel in charge of the matter is not there, we playing games, if the government were getting more lawsuits that would stop.


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