#TurksandCaicos, October 19, 2017 – Grand Turk – The UK presence at the prison is reportedly doing a lot of good including discouraging alleged abuses by guards and reducing overcrowding. A report to #MagneticMedia reveals that the prison remains damaged from the hurricanes, but there is more water now for the inmates because the facility has reverted to using the tank system once again; the system is said to be fixed and the water tested to ensure its purity.
Last week, TCIG reported that indeed 22 prison staff from the United Kingdom where specially deployed to give training and support at Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk. It was explained that: “In particular, the UK staff will assist in implementing a raft of systems, processes and procedures which are designed to improve safety, security, care and opportunity. In addition to this, the UK staff will provide an additional focus towards assessing and challenging those in our custody who do not behave in accordance with expectations.”
There have been a slew of disciplinary problems at the prison and while some milder situations continue, it is our understanding the local prison officers are being trained in how to retaliate with restraint and not brutality. And the UK officers are said to be playing fair; a local guard has been suspended due to use of improper force on an inmate.
The Prison Superintendent, Steve Barrett said, in that October 10 press release: “This is a significant investment in the prison by Her Majesty’s Government and one which is intended to deliver long term benefits to the delivery of our business. I am particularly pleased that our staff will be exposed to the skills of the #UKprisonofficers. In real terms, this constitutes the best possible learning and development opportunity for our people”.
Five more Haitians had their prison sentences cut short and have been deported to their homeland.
