Prisoners to be transferred to St Lucia

Inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut will be transferred to St Lucia.

This is according to Governor Augustus Jaspert who said he signed off on the transfer yesterday.

“I signed an Emergency Powers for the Transfer of Prisoners, regulations 2017, and have issued warrants for the transfer of prisoners to St Lucia.  I will keep you informed of any further developments on this matter,” Jaspert announced today.

He did not specify how many inmates will be transferred.

The governor, who shares responsibility over the prison with government minister, Myron Walwyn, said the transfer is in relation to the two Catergory 5 hurricanes that affected the territory this month.

He stated: “Following the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, one of my and Cabinet’s top priorities has been the safety and security for all of us.”

Walwyn disclosed recently that 143 prisoners had escaped from the penitentiary due to Hurricane Irma. He noted that six ‘low-risk’ prisoners are still at large.