Prison staff managing overcrowding well — Governor
Governor Daniel Pruce has praised the dedication and ingenuity of prison staff in the BVI as they manage challenging conditions, including overcrowding at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut.
During a recent interview with JTV, Governor Pruce highlighted the significant efforts being made to ensure the prison functions effectively despite housing approximately 120 inmates in a facility originally designed for 80.
“My sense is that the prison staff are managing magnificently in what is a busy and crowded environment,” the Governor stated, acknowledging the challenges of limited space and an increasing number of persons on remand rather than serving sentences. He credited the prison team and Superintendent Jay Kendall for maintaining a secure and rehabilitative environment under the circumstances.
The Governor also pointed to ongoing improvements, including better coordination of remand detainees to reduce overcrowding. “There is a process in place, including through the way we’re managing the throughputs of remand detainees, which will help,” he explained.
Governor Pruce highlighted the prison’s focus on rehabilitation alongside security. Efforts include introducing new skills training for inmates, such as a carpentry workshop, which allows prisoners to learn practical skills that can aid their reintegration into society.
“The experience of going to prison should be an experience where you come out of that and embark on a different pathway,” he remarked. These initiatives aim to prevent reoffending and ensure prisoners leave with better prospects.
“We don’t want the prison to almost be like a training ground for people to develop skills that will help them become career criminals,” the Governor added. The UK Ministry of Justice recently assisted in upgrading the prison’s locking systems, improving both security and operational efficiency. Governor Pruce noted that this enhancement resolves longstanding safety concerns.
Additionally, a new radio communication network has been introduced, further enabling effective coordination among prison officers. Overcrowding remains a pressing issue, and the Governor acknowledged that expanding the facility’s infrastructure may not be feasible in the near term. However, he expressed optimism about improving the criminal justice process to expedite cases and reduce the number of detainees awaiting trial.
The governor said, “Improvements in the rules of procedure on the criminal side will help with those numbers on remand.” These developments come as the territory continues to address broader concerns in the criminal justice system, including the timely processing of cases to reduce backlogs and improve efficiency.
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It may seem as though the prison is being managed well because the prisoners are running the prison and the guards. If the guards stop sucking up to the inmates orders, trust and believe all hell will break loose.
The guards cannot even handle those prisoners when they appear in court, being disrespectful to the judge and the members of the public.
This is not an opinion, but a FACT.
Deport some and release those who are on marijuana charges
I would agree to free the ones that is on marijuana charges and deport the ones that is not from here especially the Jam down one that threw the woman off the balcony to her death.
That one from Jamaica that toss the woman off the balcony killing her needs to be deported out the Country. I also agree that they need to start packing those criminals 20 at a time in one cell like sardines in a can. When it is feeding time toss the food in the cells and let them fight like wild dogs for the food. When it is time for a bath toss some tide and Clorox in the cell and spray them down with hot water from a hose and call it a day.
Let the ones that is locked up for some weed out of prison. They didn’t kill anyone It just don’t make any sense to have someone sitting in prison for smoking a joint or got caught with a dime bag. The law here is to bias and F up.They quick to release the ones that have killed but holding people in prison for some damn weed? I would feel safer walking down the street amongst someone that is smoking weed than a damn person that have killed someone.
how about we fix it instead of praising them for dealing with it
the next prison on Anegada with a capacity for 200 inmates serving time. Use Balsam Ghut prison for remand only.
you got to be an a** we wont ever let that happen
They doing what ever they want to do with you Anegada peoples d if they want to do it they will.
Free nyma the girl done do her time
Remember when i had wanted her but she tell me i was brokes…guess da was god protecting me
Bro that was one of the best things that happen to you. Now her broke busted a.. is sitting in jail. Who is the broke one now. Let her non factor B sit where she at. Ain’t nobody paying her busted a.. no mind. Girl see ya wouldn’t want to be ya.
LOLOL……..Count your blessings brother.
FREE NYMA? She has not done her time as yet. SHE NEED TO SPEND ANOTHER 10-20 YEARS ON THE INSIDE. FREE HER TO COME OUT AND BE A STREET WALKER?
I don’t wish jail on anyone before I make some one go jail I perfour to war then make them go jail, have u ever want jail. That is like being in a tank of s**t . People like you who are doing everything evil under GOD eyes and playing good your time my come when you end up there for what you been doing and getting away with it God see and know
Ain’t no free no damn nyma. Y’all let her out she is going to get her a..ssssssss whop all up and down the Island with some steel toe boots.
in my opinion they build with no vision of expanding …if it was done the right way addition cells could have been added due to a growing population.. look at the amount of land wastage is up at that prison
The prisión been over crowded for the past 25 years. Talk that Governor.
Deport the prisoners that is not from here. The taxpayers is tired of feeding them. I would prefer my have my tax money that I am feeding criminals feed the animals in the shelter. After all the animals in the shelter is from here.
Start jamming 10 prisoner in 1 cell. That will ease up on the over crowding up at camp cupcake. Or start building barb wire cages in the prison yard to house them
They can do that to ease the overcrowding, in Arizona they have a tent prison to help with the over crowing of inmates and in NYC they had a floating prison on the water.
(I SAY)MY ADVICE TO YOU IS BE CAREFUL ON THE ROAD YOU TRAVLE CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CORRECTLY BEFORE YOU GET AN A** WHIPPING CHURCH PUT
The only interest the UK have in the BVI is the prison. They wouldn’t give a cent to help build a school but they would spend thousands on prison facilities.
Evidence that ” THEY ” came to build us up!!!