PERSONS WARNED ABOUT THROWING ILLEGAL ITEMS TO PRISONERS

L-R: Mr. Vince Walker, Conrad Gumbs and Alister Richardson displaying contraband items thrown over the prison fence

The caution came on Wednesday this week as a large number of contraband articles were found hidden away in cells, while other items were discovered outside on the premises where they were thrown.

The items included 18 cellular phones and chargers; two vicious-looking knives; various pieces of sharpened wire and steel; cutting bits affixed to pen stems; a number of “dime bags of cannabis; lighters and other forbidden articles.
Prison Development Officer, Allister Richardson, told reporters that despite an earlier warning, in April this year, members of the public were continuing to throw illicit articles over the prison fence. “We want to advise these persons that they are putting the prisoners further into prison by supplying them with drugs and other prohibited articles,” he warned. “Anytime that we find inmates with such items we are going to charge them under section 30 of the Prison Regulations. If, and when, found guilty they can lose a significant portion of their remission. Depending on the seriousness and the nature of what we find, we will handover the prisoners to the courts where they can be further prosecuted and given an additional prison sentence.” He said opportunities to return the prisoners to the community as law-abiding citizens were being derailed by the persons supplying them with the illegal items.

Mr. Richardson disclosed that prison officials had so far apprehended three persons who were reported to the Police for prosecution. On conviction they can be fined up to $4,000 or imprisoned for six months.

Superintendent of Prison, Conrad Gumbs, thanked all members of staff for continuing to participate in the search for illegal and dangerous items, noting that Prison Officers could be targeted both by inmates and those supplying the illegal items.

Prison Consultant, Vince Walker, had this terse message for persons throwing items to prisoners: “We will eventually catch you and will pass you over to the Police…You are not doing these prisoners any favours whatsoever. As already said, when caught with items prisoners will serve longer sentences so think seriously about what you are doing.”

It is believed that the weapons found at the prison were being supplied to the prisoners to defend themselves against gang attacks by fellow inmates. At the same time, however, Prison Officers have been trained to see about their own personal safety when approaching prisoners in their cells.

At present there are some 70 inmates at the prison which was originally built to accommodate 38 persons. There was an expansion of the facility over the past years, but it remains heavily overcrowded. Plans are in hand to build 16 additional cells on the top of one of the buildings, but plans to build a modern prison at a suitable location on the island have been shelved for the time being due to the island’s difficult financial situation.