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Vacationing Officers called back to work as HMP lockdown moves to day 2!

The lockdown at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) at Balsam Ghut is into day two, after it originally started on Friday, September 22, 2023. Photo: VINO/File
Acting Superintendent of Prisons Mr. John Wilcox has not issued any press release to alert the public on the need for the look-down as families can no longer visit their loved ones, due to the situation. Photo: GIS/File
Acting Superintendent of Prisons Mr. John Wilcox has not issued any press release to alert the public on the need for the look-down as families can no longer visit their loved ones, due to the situation. Photo: GIS/File
BALSAM GHUT, Tortola, VI - The lockdown at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) at Balsam Ghut is into day two, after it originally started on Friday, September 22, 2023.

National Security or Prison Officials have not told the public, the media, nor the families of inmates what led to the lockdown, as speculations are many.

Another person familiar with the situation at HMP speaking to our news center on condition of anonymity said a Senior Prison Officer, Anselm Mc Millian told staff that “authorization has been granted for the payment of overtime”.

Tight-lipped?

In other words, any staff working extra hours caused by the lockdown mode will be given overtime pay. 

Additionally, all prison officers who are on vacation leave have been recalled to work due to the lockdown.

Mr. McMillian who is a Principal Officer III, reportedly told officers “govern yourselves accordingly”.   

Acting Superintendent of Prisons Mr. John Wilcox has not issued any press release to alert the public on the need for the lookdown as families can no longer visit their loved ones, due to the situation. 

It remains unclear how long the lockdown mode will last as efforts to reach Mr Wilcox proved futile. 

Our news center will bring more details as it becomes available. 

28 Responses to “Vacationing Officers called back to work as HMP lockdown moves to day 2!”

  • WHAT!!! (23/09/2023, 17:42) Like (59) Dislike (2) Reply
    Maybe now the prison will function like a prison not a five star hotel.
  • At last (23/09/2023, 18:11) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well done Mr Wilcox, at last someone prepared to stand up to the drug trafficking, gun toting criminals who have been running that prison.
  • The watchdog (23/09/2023, 18:19) Like (4) Dislike (27) Reply
    They care less about human rights and justice these whites going do for ayo
    • jack (23/09/2023, 21:47) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply

      There is a reason why it's called prison,when you screw up your freedom get taken away.human rights or not,who start to punish human?the whites,who bring out human rights?the whites,they creating jobs by producing bulls***,they funding a war between Russia an Ukraine yet people are hungry in Haiti and Africa! Tell me if that isn't racial,you should be happy it's not American running bvi.

  • Citizen (23/09/2023, 18:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Government prison is experiencing some challenges with their communication systems.
  • Blind Man (23/09/2023, 18:46) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    Clean out does cell get them in uniform no more chains no more tv give them books so they can learn something instead of smoking all day. Get rid of the rum look inside the drains by enhance side for the contrabands.
  • Madussa (23/09/2023, 19:36) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    That corrections officer who allowed the prisoner to get out has a serious hand in this. I hope all of your officers have guns to defend themselves because the crooked officer could have given outside crooks the layout of the entire prison. He can tell how many officers are on duty and everything so there can be a prison break out. You all better be prepared for the worst. Good luck to you all and be careful.
  • Disinterested (23/09/2023, 19:38) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    The lockdown should not be a surprise. A new sheriff rode into saying things are going to be different. Any bets he is not going to get the resources he needs. This is how all other groups,, people, etc roll but negries.
  • Local (23/09/2023, 20:53) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    I would like to fine out how come two Junior staff was agreed on to attend the Superintendent conference in Cyprus? Another slap in the face to seniors, and person behind this decision seek to divide even more. Why a local was not selected to go represent their country. The same way they putting junior staff who just joined with little prison experience in charge of grade ll and lll staff. Where is HR on these demoralizing issues?
  • Doll (23/09/2023, 21:26) Like (18) Dislike (6) Reply
    It's about time these prisoners have some semblance of order. Lock them down 23 of 24 hours for one month. The hour can be used for exercise and a bath. Let them do everything else in their cells. Place working cameras every where in the prison, even the bathrooms. If they wanted privacy, they would have been a civil and law abiding person. Bring in Prison Officers from other Caribbean countries or conduct prison swaps by sending them to other Countries. Perhaps we need to have discussions about creating contractual agreements with countries such as Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, Mexico, China or other Asian countries on prison swaps especially for our repeat offenders or those serving life w/o parole that might be causing havoc in our prisons. If this doesn't work, just dump their dumb asses over a ravine or drag them far out to see using a rope. Make sure to use the shipping lanes or the Whale track sites. I would do this job for free!
    • Blind Man (23/09/2023, 21:56) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      @doll I totally agree with you there needs to be a change of guards with other countries so on one gets comfortable with Any officer.
    • Umm (24/09/2023, 15:35) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      that's very cold hearted to say. they're humans at the end of the day. some are wrongfully convicted. don't wish so bad on others because it might happen to you. not all of the prisoners are bad people. the good have to suffer for the bad.
  • Mullah Gwop (23/09/2023, 22:01) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Boy o boy they got my peeps locked up. Who have who is the question. All cause that beast bat, got thing messed up. Then dem dry looking oneal boys…hm..like they learn about crime from watching too much tv. Mehson alu aint tired getting catch hot? But I hear too that Cos thump up bat once he came back Balo. They say US jail must have made bat less cause Cos of all people make he cow with sum big thumps. Any true?
  • John (23/09/2023, 22:35) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    The prisɔn is not a five star hotɛl ask sister joyce they dosr get good cause some of them have family does bring good food them so that person what say up ther is five star hotɛl they going off hear say
    • Spoilt (24/09/2023, 07:49) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      The prisoners have told others in the past that they order lobster etc that they cook themselves.
  • Jaspert (24/09/2023, 00:08) Like (3) Dislike (12) Reply
    Race matters white prison chief, black prisoners, does it bring back any memories?
  • WOW (24/09/2023, 00:15) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
    Some of you all want the Governor to ensure your own people in prison are treated like dogs while he is treating complete strangers who smuggle into your country as royal guest. All I can say is the slavery mentality is alive still in some of you.
  • What a set (24/09/2023, 00:18) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    The only time some of you blog all day is when something negative happens in the BVI. The many positive stories hardly have any blogs. What a negative set of people.
  • Reel them in! (24/09/2023, 06:09) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bring in the UK military! A war could be waging...do not delay.
    • @ reel them in! (24/09/2023, 09:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Sad thing is so many of your loyal followers will fall for your silly lies and racist crap!!! Sorry you Can't Save Me or buy me on that position
  • On looker (24/09/2023, 07:43) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The prison itself needs a perimeter fence/wall. Ask Myron what has became of the $259k fence he bought when he was the minister of the subject. There's also a need for working security cameras in and around the prison, there's also a need for a control tower with 2 person operating the opening and closing of the gate/cells(not every officers having keys).
  • Anegzduan (24/09/2023, 07:57) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Too much corruption at the prison. Send them to the French prison "la cayenne in guadelouoe" they will learn senses. Some the prison guards need proper vetting. A silent integrity test should be administered to all of them.
  • Asking For Myself (24/09/2023, 09:23) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Press conference for what?

    To tell us nothing?
  • G H (24/09/2023, 13:10) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ask the governor and his side kick mark what he knows about the illegal removal of Ericson from Hmp
  • vex (24/09/2023, 14:33) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Government need to advise us on the ongoing impacts and we can we resume Prision visits
  • S.W.A.T. (25/09/2023, 06:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another 10 day talk.
  • Worst officer (25/09/2023, 13:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of the prison guards are wicked and evil. They know what going on in the prison they on certain man payroll. Come on UK keep up the job you guys are about to do. And safe guard more prisoners who can’t defend themselves.


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