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2-year contract | St Lucian BVI’s new prison boss

Verne Garde, the former Director of Corrections for Bordelais Correctional Facility in St Lucia is the confirmed appointee for Superintendent of Prisons in Balsam Ghut.

Garde has been appointed on a two-year contract that will officially begin on July 2.

However, the St Lucian must undergo a six-month probationary period, government has said.

Governor Augustus Jaspert – who shares responsibility for the prison with government minister Myron Walwyn – appointed Garde under the advisement of the Public Service Commission.

As the new prison boss, Garde will also serve as government’s Chief Advisor on all matters pertaining to prison management and rehabilitation.

He succeeds David Foot whose contract ended on June 5.

Minister Walwyn gave no response to questions in relation who is and will continue to run the prison during the transition period of June 5 to July 2.

In the meantime, Garde is said to have 23 years of experience in criminal justice.

He has served in various units of the Royal St Lucia Police Force including, Beat and Patrol, Drug Unit, and the Central Intelligence Unit. Garde has also served as Inspector of Police, and Head of Special Branch.

Garde was head of his home country’s adult penitentiary for three years.

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26 Comments

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  1. Wow says:

    Tell us the truth. Why is he leaving his st at this time for BVI? Who was the person in the involved in getting him interested in coming here. Nothing is mentioned about his character. Someone mushave been involved.

    • Well says:

      According to the story he was approved by the Public Service Commission and I would guess it’s based on his experience to do the job. Why is everything such a problem around here?

    • Saddened from afar says:

      Wow, my sentiments exactly…. Like everything else, money talks, so I’m certain the salary and or perks offered to him exceeded what he was being paid in St Lucia. If he is leaving the position in St Lucia per a lesser salaried position in the BVI, that is commendable, but I doubt that is the case. Once again, money talks and….

    • Exchange says:

      Is there a connection between the prisons going to St. Lucia after Irma and him coming here? Superintendant Foot did a fine job. Sad to see him go…he was a man of humility and compassion and I believe he treated the prisons with dignity and respect. Let’s home this one does the same.

    • Agree says:

      You bet your bottom dollar, it amounts to ———. He talked his way into this job after the prisoners went to St. Lucia. St. Lucian know how to —– — very well.

  2. We Suffering? says:

    Do the territory not have qualified locals capable of executing such responsibilities?

    And if no, why not? Whatever happened since past days of the VIP and NDP’s initiatives to train our own?

    Why must all of our high paying positions always be going to outsiders, Brits or others, along with the money so desperately in our won home?

    • OK says:

      Do you think you’re asking the right questions? How many locals do you think really want that job is the real question.

    • Reality says:

      because most Borne here brigade are lazy, incompetent and just want an easy life with big pay checks for pretending they contribute….We need decent hard working professional people that get stuck in and make a difference – unlike every member of the “No Direction Party” that just ponce about as if they are so big and important….

  3. The watcher says:

    Welcome and I hope you do your best.

  4. Eagle eye says:

    Why not hire a local.this madness have to stop.ndp you are gone.

  5. strupes says:

    Since he was doing such a good job, how come st.lucia let him go???

  6. photo ops says:

    BRING BACK KENTY OR FORBES

    • Officer says:

      Mr.Callwood was a good sup he was just under minded by as following MC M———(retired) P——-, G—-, m—– and the rest these ppl have been working at the prison for 25+ they need to go home retire and get qualified ppl to come do the job you think changing the superintendent every two to four years going change the prison I’m a officer I work there these ppl are waste for my time working there spite full and waste especially (P———-) Mr. Walywn I hope u reading and take control.

  7. Cyclops says:

    Guy Hill would be a good choice

  8. Albion says:

    Welcome to the BVI, Mr Garde. I wish you every success in your new post.

    As you are probably just starting to realise – everybody in the BVI has an opinion or a criticism, and sometimes both, and they love to share them online.

  9. Rubber Duck says:

    A Prison Guard called Garde.

    They had to give him the job.

  10. Brad Boynes says:

    In the meantime, Garde is said to have 23 years of experience in criminal justice.

    He has served in various units of the Royal St Lucia Police Force including, Beat and Patrol, Drug Unit, and the Central Intelligence Unit. Garde has also served as Inspector of Police, and Head of Special Branch.

    Garde was head of his home country’s adult penitentiary for three years.

    There is some one in the Virgin Islands with that experience and exposure. Why were they not approached?

  11. Welcome says:

    I am shame to call myself a BVILander. You guys always have to talk down people. Has it ever occurred to you guys that someone from the outside needs to head this unit as someone from home might hold favoritism towards the prisoners. We don’t need someone who will grant them favors or someone who is going to be their friend.

  12. Please says:

    The prison is in shambles I hope he will be able to run a tight ship. A prison like he did in St.Lucia and not a hotel like it is here in Balsam ghut. Prisoners here have to much privileges.

  13. gwen says:

    Are there no B. V. Islanders qualified to do the job?

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