Managers at Her Majesty’s Prison in Anguilla have completed a week of training at the Teachers’ Resource Centre. It was conducted by Mr Adrian Northeast, Head of Training and Staff Development at Her Majesty’s Prison Service at Wands worth, England.
Part of the course dealt with the need for prison managers to be role models not only for each other, but also for the prisoners under their care and supervision. They were lectured on such qualities and virtues as honesty, reliability, integrity and respect.
The summary of the training document gave this timely advice to the prison managers: “We must all remember and reflect on why we have joined and are working for the prison service in the first place,” it stated. “Our job is to hold prisoners safely, respectfully and decently in custody. Remember the four healthy prison tests: safety – prisoners, even the most vulnerable, are held safely; respect – prisoners are treated with respect for their human dignity; purposeful activity –prisoners are able, and expected, to engage in activity that is likely to benefit them; and resettlement – prisoners are prepared for their release into the community and helped to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.”
The document added: “The very real benefits of positive interaction, engagement and effective use of interpersonal skills with prisoners are many. At the core of this is the safety of prisoners and staff, and the creation of an environment which is conducive to protecting the public by encouraging a reduction in reoffending.”
The training was done by Mr Northeast in consultation with Mr Vince Walker, the Prison Adviser, based in Anguilla.
Dr Bonnie Richardson-Lake, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, thanked Mr Northeast for facilitating the training and the Prison Managers for their participation.
Mr Northeast was in Anguilla earlier this year when he conducted an initial management course for Prison personnel.
