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'UK expert' investigating cause of recent prison break

-escapees Jose Almestica & John M. Burgos still on the run
An expert from the United Kingdom (UK) is currently in the Virgin Islands (VI) investigating the October 25, 2025, prison break, which led to the escape of two prisoners. Photo: HMP
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Acting Governor David D. Archer announced that an expert in prison security and risk management will conduct a two-week investigation into the circumstances which led to the escape of two prisoners from His Majesty’s Prison in October 2025. Photo: GIS
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Acting Governor David D. Archer announced that an expert in prison security and risk management will conduct a two-week investigation into the circumstances which led to the escape of two prisoners from His Majesty’s Prison in October 2025. Photo: GIS
High-profile prisoner Jose Almestica and John M. Burgos escaped from His Majesty's Prison (HMP) on October 25, 2025. Photo: RVIPF.
High-profile prisoner Jose Almestica and John M. Burgos escaped from His Majesty's Prison (HMP) on October 25, 2025. Photo: RVIPF.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- An expert from the United Kingdom (UK) is currently in the Virgin Islands (VI) investigating the October 25, 2025, prison break, which led to the escape of two prisoners.

In a statement to the public on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Acting Governor David D. Archer Jr made the announcement. 

Jose Almestica, 37, and John M. Burgos, 27, broke out of His Majesty's Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut on the night of October 25, 2025. They were discovered missing sometime after 9:00 PM that night and have been on the run since. 

Full external investigation commissioned

Following their escape, Governor Daniel Pruce announced that he had commissioned a full, independent, external investigation by an “outside body” into the circumstances that led to the escape of Almestica and Burgos. 

Governor Pruce also revealed that he had reached out to the Ministry of Justice in the UK for help in identifying people who would take the investigations forward.

UK prison security & risk management expert investigating

“I can now confirm that the UK’s Ministry of Justice has identified an expert in prison security and risk management to undertake the investigation,” Mr Archer said in his statement. 

The expert’s identity has not been disclosed by the Acting Governor. 

Mr Archer, however, said the investigation is expected to be completed in about two weeks. 

“The investigation…will be thorough and impartial and will ensure that we identify what went wrong and take the necessary steps to strengthen security.”

See links to related stories 

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/jose-almestica-john-m-burgos-escape-his-majestys-prison

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/governor-pruce-orders-full-external-investigation-into-recent-prison-break

20 Responses to “'UK expert' investigating cause of recent prison break ”

  • Hmmm. (27/11/2025, 06:44) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    That alone they investigating..? So much things are so corruptly wrong....I will again suggest that the Prison should fall under the police administeation, having the commissioner of Police as the head of both Prison and Police....Time to try something different all Prison bosses before and after Mr. Holder an X supt of police have being a failure..
    • Tempo (28/11/2025, 09:20) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Hmmm. You knows of not what you talk. Holder was a corrupt opportunist. And you know that. May he rest in peace. The Prison is a corrupt entity. You know t hff at also. Move on
  • asura (27/11/2025, 07:29) Like (7) Dislike (28) Reply
    here we go again only white men from the uk can investigate????...set of white power always on display
    • @asura (27/11/2025, 09:48) Like (20) Dislike (6) Reply
      You really think a local person would be impartial in this investigation? The investigator would be the escapee's best friend's cousin. Nothing would ever get done and it would be swept under the rug like so many other things here.
      • BRAD BOYNES (28/11/2025, 09:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        @@asura... there are a few locals who can investigate that case and be very impartial, very impartial BUT the BIG ? IS Do they want that? The Freaks come out at night.
  • Outside investigation (27/11/2025, 08:04) Like (6) Dislike (17) Reply
    I would want to believe this is a person's or company that has no ties the bvi or UK.

    So Russia china India or usa should be leading such investigation not bvi or uk. Is my personal opinion
    • @Outside investigation (27/11/2025, 09:49) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
      You want Russia or China investigating things in BVI? Are you mad
  • Outside investigation (27/11/2025, 08:08) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
    Also you wanted a whole month to decide this needed a full investigation. You persons more than enough time to either get their story straight or persons time to leave the territory. Bvi police and justice system in the worst and I blame the GOVERNOR OF TODAY AND PRIOR
  • one eye rooster (27/11/2025, 08:39) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    They can't even solved crime in their bloody back yard and coming in another one yard give me an fing break and deal with those migrants and the royal family good lord
  • the great white hope (27/11/2025, 08:58) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    $200,000.00 was involved school children say.
  • He white (27/11/2025, 09:55) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    Why is the superintendent still on his job? Now here is a clear example of double standards and nasty hypocrisy
  • uk citizen (27/11/2025, 11:03) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    So you locking down the prisoners denying them there one hour recreation for the Jay Kendall incompetence.
  • BRAD BOYNES (27/11/2025, 11:32) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who is the investigator?
  • Know (27/11/2025, 12:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need a Ministry of Justice that can focus on and oversee the Prison and other judiciary related Departments and entities.
  • uncle Alfred (27/11/2025, 13:11) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    No focus on prison rehab programs since Holder died the place stagnated.
  • Watchers (27/11/2025, 18:24) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Another one coming to take all the moneybwith no proper outcome. Same as the Col. This is just ridiculus.
  • bb (27/11/2025, 18:34) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    That only the tip of thè ice burg that uk soon take over
  • Garbage collector (27/11/2025, 20:20) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    While they here they need to investigate all these crooked employers, who taking we social security and Nhi and tax money and not turning it in, and the government not doing anything about it.
  • one eye rooster (28/11/2025, 05:20) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    All he is going to is copy and paste then collect a ton of money then take his ass back to England then submit some shitty report with no result watch and react.
  • Smells (29/11/2025, 09:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Listen thebprison officers up there need to ALL be sent home. They are the ones facilitating a lot of the foolishness that goes on up there. Officers have free range of the prison, and that should not be so. They should be ranked and not given access to certain parts of the prison, or clearance to do certain things. They should also be searched in and out of the prison every time. THEY a know what happened!


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