BVI News

Governor declares six hotel rooms to be used as a ‘prison’

Governor Augustus Jaspert

Governor of the British Virgin Islands, Augustus Jaspert has declared six rooms at the Paradise Hotel on Tortola to be used as a prison facility.

The hotel, located in Road Town above the One Stop Mall, is owned by businesswoman Patsy Lake, who is also the mother-in-law of government minister Kye Rymer.

According to a publication in government’s official gazette on Tuesday, Governor Jaspert signed and sealed the order on April 9 to declare rooms 110 to 116 to be a prison.

He did so in accordance with Section 4A of the territory’s Prison Ordinance (Cap. 166), which states that “the governor may, by proclamation … declare any place to be a prison”.

Details relating to who would be occupying the six rooms, the length of time that the hotel rooms would be used as a prison, or the cost to the government were not specified in the gazette.

Persons in custody under quarantine

Notably, however, there are two men — Tambu Frett and Byran Bolan – who were jointly charged for breaking curfew and illegally entering from the neighbouring US Virgin Islands (USVI), which has 51 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

Frett and Bolan, who pleaded guilty to their respective offences, have since been ordered to be quarantined for a minimum of 10 days before getting sentenced.

The quarantine order was a precautionary measure to ensure the duo does not infect the remaining prison population, should they have the coronavirus.

BVI News understands that the Customs and police officers who chased and arrested the men at sea are also believed to be in quarantine.

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25 Comments

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  1. Hmmm says:

    See how two fools could endanger the lives of innocent people.

    Like 28
    Dislike 4
  2. Hmmm says:

    I could tell you… Even in times like these certain individuals are set to benefit. Premier, these are unprecedented times, please stop the foolishness. Resources are limited, please cut out the cronyism.

    Like 44
    Dislike 7
  3. vip heckler says:

    and the gravy train continues because this is about the 3rd building that the government will be renting from this well connected individual. I wish i was a close cousin of the premier because i too might have been in good shape today

    Like 51
    Dislike 3
  4. Anonymous says:

    How can you house prisoners but not the mentally ill persons on the streets ??

    Like 51
  5. 2020Q says:

    Keep BVI ports locked down until the end of the month and then re-evaluate the international scene. Yes, tourism will be hit hard. But the worth of one life cannot come close to all the dollars in the world.

    Show greedy America how to do it. Be the statistics they want to model.

    Like 14
    Dislike 12
    • @2020Q says:

      You know, I came to realize, it is not the true Tortolians who is blogging the hatred towards America, It is you down Island/Garrots that don’t know anything. I guess your hatred against America is because you cannot get into America the easy way like you can get into Tortola.

      Like 2
      Dislike 5
    • @2020Q says:

      The same greedy America is feeding you everyday. The same greedy America is allowing you to use their currency. If your hand get chopped off, it is the same greedy America they are going to rush you and your hand packed in ice so a micro surgeon in America can reattach your hand. Stop chewing the hand that feeds or cutting off your nose to spite your face.

      Like 3
      Dislike 2
    • An American says:

      I’m an American, and I love my country. That doesn’t stop me from affirming that this person is right. The unprecedented levels of greed, both in the private sector, and now in the government, threatens to destroy the very foundations of this once great country. And not just in the executive branch, as bad as Trump’s nepotism and attempts to profit are, we are now seeing congressmen on both sides of the isle insider trading on coronavirus briefings!

      Like 3
      Dislike 1
  6. Well sah says:

    mother in law again look at that

    Like 20
    Dislike 3
  7. humm says:

    110
    111
    112
    113
    114
    115
    116

    Adds to 7 rooms…

    Like 14
  8. John says:

    (110person)÷(6rooms)= social distance

    Like 3
    Dislike 2
  9. One Stop Mall says:

    You go in and you never come out!

  10. Patsy says:

    Thanks all. That’s how we VIP rock and roll!

    Like 7
    Dislike 7
  11. Not easy says:

    Take a good look at that building you would realize you can’t get away as easy as you would think. You can blog she again but truth be told how many people are willing to do this. Mind over matter think about it. If we do nothing at all people still vex. If you do them still vex. What is it we really want. Ok then do nothing and see what will happen. This is not the time to play games. If you have a place make it known to those in authority I’m sure they have been asking around.

    Like 4
    Dislike 7
  12. voiceofreason says:

    The customs and marine police are in quarantine but were they tested? Were the two alleged perpetrators tested too?

    Governor sure has a lot of power that he can by proclamation declare any place a prison. He could declare my apartment a prison facility? Somebody’s home? UK dependency at work.

    Question is why Paradise suites? Don’t tell me this is the only hotel with available occupancy as we all know by now that most if not all hotels are running on empty due to the border closure. What criteria was used?

    The more things change the more they remain the same.

  13. Tell Me says:

    What did the Governor meant by saying “it’s not business as usual.” All who have ears let them hear and all who have eyes let them see. It’s time for the saints of God to call a solemn prayer and fasting. Troubling times ahead.

  14. Anonymous says:

    You idiots. This had to be done to protect u and me. And the other hotels owners were not willing. Stop talking foolishness and realise that it was done for the greater good.

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
    • Idiots we are Yes! says:

      You’re right we are idiots!! Expecting better from the VIP all they are doing is fattening their peoples pockets… Did they vote in Cabinet on this matter, we want to know as it’s a conflict of interest.

      Same ole bulls**t but the VIP is blatant because they realize we are stupid.

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