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Relatives calling for humane treatment of loved ones; convicts escape, fire set, innocent punished with guilty

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#TurksandCaicos, September 18, 2017 – Grand Turk – Allegations of excessive force, cold and unnecessary orders and undue punishment for the innocent are among the shocking charges against officials responsible for law, order and living at the Grand Turk prison in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.   The category five hurricane was extremely hard on Grand Turk, the capital of the country and reports to #MagneticMedia from relatives of inmates are that Irma ripped the roof off the maximum security block at the prison and that two convicted murderers managed to escape, living as fugitives for hours before being caught.

Clifford Gibson Jr convicted of murdering a 16 year old boy in 2008 and Tyrone Williams, convicted of killing Jason Smith in Grand Turk a few years ago hopped over the fence, which Irma’s winds tore down and were recaptured a few hours later.   We are also told that fire was set, rebellion broke out and the Police Swat team was sent in, in an effort to restore some semblance of calm to #HerMajesty’sPrison when over a dozen maximum security inmates, the most serious of offenders, got into the general population and were said to have been running around the prison yard at nights.

The anarchy forced more stringent measures and it is said that with orders from the Governor, Police were dispatched but according to some, those members of the Force went way too far against those who were not responsible for the outbreak of disorder.   One relative said she was told that the command was ‘shoot to kill’.

A mother of an inmate explained that she was denied entry and the ability to see her son at the prison, supplies brought from Provo were unable to be shared with him and from another family, allegations that mace was sprayed on their son and others who had nothing to do with the revolt.    Lock down was enforced, drinking water limited, the prison is dark and dank say those speaking to Magnetic Media.

Another family shared that they were told about 20 to 30 trips made by the fire department to the prison to put out the fire set there, how the water left behind went un-cleaned for three days.    The families say their children are being treated inhumanely and they are calling on officials, including the Human Rights Association, to do something about the conditions at HMP.

Government, during a debrief to media hinted at problems at HMP when it was said that the TCI would not be in the same state as other regional countries where convicts escaped and were on the loose after hurricane Irma destroyed their prisons.    Another indication of challenges came in the Premier’s Monday (Sept 11) report that some prisoners would be transferred to St Lucia, however the gravity of the problems were not expressed and despite questions, who will be transferred and for how long and now new inquiries by us about the charges that conditions are inhumane at the Grand Turk prison, there remains no comment up to news production time.

Our news organization is told that while all inmates are accounted for at HMP, conditions are deplorable.

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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