HMP head should be placed on leave after prison break — Rymer
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer has called for the Superintendent of His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) to be placed on leave as the territory investigates the recent escape of two dangerous inmates.
Rymer urged that accountability was needed as authorities continue the manhunt for convicted offenders Jose Almestica and John Burgos, who escaped from HMP in Balsam Ghut on 25 October. “And regarding the security and the prison, I too support that the situation should be where the superintendent should be on administrative leave as we go through the internal processes and the external processes of understanding what took place there,” Rymer stated.
The escape triggered heightened security operations across the territory. According to police updates, Almestica and Burgos are considered dangerous, and the RIVPF suspended leave to support the search. Police also recovered illegal firearms during intensified patrols following the breakout.
Governor Daniel Pruce addressed the escape during a live press conference earlier this month. He confirmed that both internal and external investigations were underway.
“The superintendent has commissioned his own internal investigation,” he said. Pruce added that the UK Ministry of Justice would support a separate independent review, stating, “I have commissioned a full independent external investigation into the circumstances that led to the escape of Jose Almestica and John Burgos.”
Pruce said the authorities were working to keep the public safe as the fugitives remained at large. “We should all stay calm. We should continue to go about our daily business. But in so doing, of course, we take the usual sensible measures for our own security,” he urged. He also reminded the public to avoid approaching the escapees and to report any sightings to police or Crime Stoppers.
The governor defended the broader security response following questions about rising crime levels. “Across the board, all agencies that can contribute to the security and the safety of the islands are working hard to achieve that,” he explained. He rejected claims that the situation was out of control, saying the territory faced evolving challenges but remained focused on coordinated action.
The escape renewed public criticism of conditions at the prison. Concerns have been reported about surveillance blind spots, ageing infrastructure and staffing shortages at HMP. Pruce confirmed that security upgrades had been underway, including improvements to CCTV coverage and communication systems for prison officers.
As the manhunt for Almestica and Burgos continues, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and provide any information that may help officers track the escapees.
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Prison needs better security and vetted staff.
Like who? Locals?
Shut your @$$ up. You sound so fr!gging ignorant. The person made a very valid comment. And yes, if locals (be it BVIslanders or Belongers) are properly vetted, why not? Are you telling me to just hire willy nilly without any due process at all??
what happen to the tail
I bet he didn’t say this inside National Security Council. They come out in front the public acting tough but got no spine in front of the governor. Look at all the things that have happened to our people since they got elected. You ever heard any of them stand up for anybody? But because there is political mileage in this situation with Jackie Vanterpool they trying to capitalize on it. Kye can’t fill two potholes. Boi get from here trying to play like some big shot. Gimme a break!
If its true that the prisoner was placed from maximum security to general. The superintendent should be place on leave and he should be vetted and investigated. The Governor is something else.
Has the Minister in charge of the roads been sent on leave yet?
it should be the whole of this government
Kye need to STAY IN HIS LANE…go fix the HORRIBLE roads dem all love the BVI & humble yuhself.
he still there. pot calling the kettle black.
If only that these ministers will practice what they preach, if the ministers had set a culture where they step down for misconducts then that would have been the cultural trend. The bank of Asia debacle is criminal and no one especially the minister of finance ever stepped aside for investigation, it doesn’t matter what the politicians does, they don’t resign, now I hope you see the wisdom of conducting yourself selflessly that it can influence the society, start and make an example, natalio Wheatley is going to have a fete and dance right now to the tune of $500,000.00 USD, and your roads need monies to fix them, make an example of the premieres nar****istic behavior and resign, you will rise stronger, perhaps becoming the leader.
HOA 13 arth be on permanent leave, given their lacky prodûctivity despite their promises.
What about the person(s) who authorize the $5m to Bank of Asia?
I would think that the head of the prisons should be involved in the review rather than being accountable for the prison break. He would have much more insight and could work with an independent team.
No doubt though this will be blamed on the Governor in the end and the real people responsible will carry on regardless!
These people just speaking and not listening or seeing the inconsistencies in their statements. Hon. Rymer, did you ask for the Financial Secretary to go on leave while investigations are ongoing into the Bank of Asia matter or any other matter that he is responsible for? Did you ask for the Premier or Hon. Smith to go on leave? These situations are akin to what you are asking for the Head of Prisons. Let’s say I agree with you that he should go on leave, if others within your Government go on leave for matters that failed under their watch. While we are at it, can you go on leave so that we can investigate the road in East End?
They carry on like this they won’t have any management or leadership of law enforcement left
Oh wait. Maybe that’s what they want.
To much people up Balo, so wah dem expect goin’ happen
Yeh. We should just send them all back where they came from. No need for a prison.
What communication, work and roads got to do with HmP
It has to do with calls for people failing to go on leave.
So HOA on leave as of this morning including the premier.
They will not be at the march as will not be getting paid.
There is not enough webspace to list the things you and some of your colleagues should be on leave for.
Only now you saying this
The UK need to watch all that money that Kye received in the budget. He got over 100 million dollars. … Watch him closely
OMG you can count the amount of Senior UK individuals holding office in the BVI, now you want to remove them all? The last time I checked this was a British Overseas Territory. The Prison is in the best shape it ever was. I remember reading an article where he was even commended publicly. He is doing a great job! Lets stop and think, we are small and we are not perfect, we can learn from some of these officials and develop ourselves rather than thinking narrow minded all the time and always quick to say remove and put a local.
I need water in my house at night, can’t drive without hitting so many pot holes, so many overhanging trees on the road, which is the basic Any politician should deliver. That young man who head the prison should be left alone, he has delivered above expectations. Get your facts straight Minister of Nothings Works.
We should suspend Lorna and Sowande for “losing” $5 million dollars
No minister. You should have provided the funding and officers needed to guard such dangerous prisoners. For shame on you!!
The best superintendent of prisons BVI ever seen, he can take that Prison forward, give him the support and you will see. Maybe if you remove your pride you can learn a thing or two from him. He is good for the BVI. Governor please help keep this guy around.
Kye Rymer you should be placed on leave judging on your performance.
Every time someone makes a valid point they are attacked by fools who are just pandering to the colonizers. I hope that when it comes back around you will recognize it as a disaster of your own making. This little place is beyond evil.
No man or woman can get rich in politics unless he is a crook. So why are those (13) thirteen now rich?
Stay in your own lane. Why are you in NSC anyway. Sort out your own business. Roads are in a sh** state. Water supply is poor. And when a tourist gets shot or robbed you can kiss goodbye to the cruise lines. Remember St Croix and Turks!!!
Agree…. Totally agree. Let it was the Hill man.Hmm. he would have probably need a lawyer, thrown under several buses, picture all over the dam media. And Bad talk by prison staff. Set a vagabonds in this territory