BVI News

Break the cycle! Prisoners shouldn’t feel Balo better than outside

Social Development Minister, Carvin Malone.

Inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison at Balsam Ghut should not be made to feel that prison life is better than being on the outside.

This is according to government minister with responsibility for prison, Carvin Malone, who argued that the facility is in need of some additional amount of social services. 

During the recent budget debate in the House of Assembly, Minister Malone spoke about the need for a reinstatement of social services and activities such as life skills and training that had taken place in the past. 

“The farm that was there, the woodwork shop that was there and the other activities [need to return] so that when the persons leave that institution, they would not feel as if, ‘well, it is a better accommodation there than it is on the outside’. We must break that cycle, we have to do it together,” Malone said. 

Man says BVI prison is the best; thought it was worse

The minister also stated that there was some amount of infrastructural rehabilitation that was needed at the facility. 

“Work is needed at the prison, services are needed at the prison,” the Health Minister stated. 

Meanwhile, Malone said that the prison’s administration was only handed to him after 18 months in his government post, noting that this only happened after much letter-writing on his part.

This is despite a government release issued four months after the minister entered office that said, “Her Majesty’s Prison is now an official subject under the Ministry of Health & Social Development”.

At the time, Malone said he felt prison responsibilities were best served under his ministry

Share the news

Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

12 Comments

Disclaimer: BVI News and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the comments below or other interaction among the users.

  1. unfortunately says:

    They have it better than us…pay no taxes, pay no bills, free medical, no NHI, 3 square meals, plenty smoke, plenty booze and not a stroke of work to do

    Like 31
    Dislike 1
  2. only sharie and alvera says:

    He had never visited that prison one day since he took over

    Like 15
    Dislike 3
    • Don't talk .... says:

      Don’t talk what you nah know..

      He was there a couple of times at social events put on by another Legislator.

      The real problems is, that as the Minister in charge he doesn’t implement he piggy back.

      Needs to put those rehab measures in place.

  3. lol says:

    He wanna go up there and jab them now

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  4. 7th district says:

    He has not come back to the &th as well, but we waiting for he!

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  5. Pete says:

    Number one prisoners should wear designated uniforms for identification.
    Number two prisoners should be brought out every day to community services.
    a. Cut bush from roadside
    b. Clean the gutters
    c. Sweep the streets
    What the minister says about woodworking, farming etc. is all good. There are guys up there with skills that can be utilized to benefit themselves and the institution, instead of sitting around idly smoking, fighting and what ever other activities they do that can’t help them develop so that they can be integrated back into society.

    Like 17
  6. Blah!!! says:

    The election bell will ring in a few months so the pandering and BS begins.

  7. james says:

    he doesnt even no whats passing in hospital much less for prison ,poor ting

  8. Jah Know says:

    He has not said one thing about them up there with their liming attire, more jewelry than a jewelry store, electronics, and weed. That’s not a jail, That’s a hotel. They live no different up there than how they were on the outside. It’s just like another Day waking up and going on the block to smoke, drink, sell drugs and talk.

  9. @ JAH KNOW says:

    we can arrange a little vacation up the for the minister and his bozz (ze bomber ) ,with Mr pumkin as their personal body guard

Leave a Comment