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TCI: Letter to the Editor: HMP Inmate bemoans prison conditions, calls for Governor to review

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#TurksandCaicos, March 8, 2018 – Providenciales – 

To:

His Excellency The Governor Dr. John Freeman

Waterloo

Grand Turk

Turks and Caicos Islands

 

 

From:

Inmate Elvathan Handfield

H.M Prison

Grand Turk

Turks and Caicos Islands

 

Date:19th February, 2018

 

Subject: Constitutional infringements as it relates to parole and other wise.

 

Sir Your Excellency,

After careful review of the parole ordinance I am left with a heavy heart and great concern that the process which was instituted to benefit inmates serving custodial sentences at H.M Prison, Grand Turk in being subverted by the nonchalant approach to the parole process by the very members appointed to the board and others responsible for providing necessary reports.

I am of the impression that the board should be meeting at least three(3) times a year. However, for the past five(5) years now the parole board has been having one(1) meeting per year and using the tardiness of social services as an excuse not to have the meeting when scheduled.

At present there are seventeen(17) inmates eligible for parole. My name along with George Munroe, Louis Francis and at least two(2) others should be at the top of the list but have been mysteriously left out. Friday February 16th the board scheduled to meet and consider six(6) applicants, leaving eleven(11) eligible inmates wondering when the next meeting will be held and hoping it will be before next year February. Meanwhile every month other inmates will become eligible and are left wondering when or if their applications will be heard. During the last year ten(10) or more eligible inmates completed their sentences without ever having their parole applications heard which is a violation of their constitutional Rights.

Among the inmate population there is a fear of victimization, which is why there are not more inmates speaking out about the advantage that is being taken of us. However, I feel that to not let my voice be heard would be a greater of injustice and counter productive to all I’ve been working towards for the past ten(10) years, and indeed all we as inmates work towards.  Personally and as a population of inmates, we feel that the parole board is functioning neither effectively nor efficiently and is in fact in jeopardy of being in violation of serious constitutional infringements.

Please sir, I do not want to be misunderstood, even though mine is the only name affixed to this letter; I am only the voice speaking out in conjunction with other inmates who find themselves in similar situations. After serving ten(10) years of a twenty(20) years sentence with three(3) years left to completion. I’ve gone from sleeping the first year away to teaching computer applicants/applications and serving meals simultaneously for four(4) years then moving to maintenance where I’ve been called to do everything, from running telephone and cable wires to draining the sewage system regularly. I was denied parole without explanation in 2016 along with Louis Francis and George Munroe and we all should have been called back for reconsideration last year but we were not recalled at the only meeting in January, 2017. So the systems that is suppose to motivate inmates to be industrious and better themselves while serving their sentences is nonfunctional despite continual prompting and admonitions from the Prison information desk(PID).

In addition my earning potential ended after my second year, so for the past 8 years I’ve been earning nothing in working with a hope for parole as is the case with all inmates serving any sentence more than 2 years being that our release allowance stops at 750 dollars and the greatest earning potential is set at $2 per day. Again after careful review we are of the opinion that there has been a serious misinterpretation of the present ordinance in reference to inmates release allowances and relationship to and inmates earning potential for certain works performed.

Morale within the inmate population is very low and our collective belief is that while the parole ordinance is clear on procedure and the criteria for eligibility, the board seems to be continually getting misconstrued and these should be misconstrued and there should be a review or inquiry into the parole process.

Prison has become a place of punishment only where inmates are being harassed instead of rehabilitated, and those with the desire to change are left to motivate themselves and find they’re own way out of the revolting doors; instead of being an effective institute for skills training and crime prevention. We know sir that the prison comes under on of the government ministries, however we are also well aware  that the governor has oversight of the Prison.

Myself along with several other inmates have long met the criteria for parole. We have been Industrious, of good behavior and have earned responsibilities integral to the daily smooth operation of the prison. Yet there is no recompense and no programs to motivate inmates towards reforming themselves.

It is a sad state of affairs  we find ourselves in here at H.M Prison Grand Turk as inmates, therefore we are left with no other recourse but to bring our plight  ultimately to you the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands and appeal to the humanitarian we believe you to be while simultaneously notifying the Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Hon. Delroy Williams Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Sabrina Green Commissioner of Human Rights Commission and Mr. Leo Missick Chairman of visiting committee of our concerns.

We are left now with only the belief that supplications have made it to the right people and further communication can take place in the future.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Most respectfully yours indeed..

Elvanthan Handfield

Inmate

 

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Crown Land Unit Leads Multi-Agency Enforcement Exercise in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 21st October 2026: The Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise in the Five Cays area of Providenciales on October 8, 2026, as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to address the illegal occupation and unauthorized use of Crown land.

The exercise brought together representatives from the Crown Land Unit, ISU, TCI Border Force and Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Inspections were conducted across several parcels of Crown land in Five Cays, where instances of illegal occupation and unauthorized use had been identified.

During the exercise, a total of seven (7) Section 22 Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance. The notices related to the unauthorized placement of shipping containers and derelict vehicles, as well as the construction of an incomplete concrete structure on Crown land. Where occupants or other responsible persons were not present, notices were affixed to the relevant structures or items.

The exercise forms part of the Crown Land Unit’s continuing efforts to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land and to ensure that instances of unauthorized occupation are identified and appropriately addressed.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds the public that occupying, developing or otherwise using Crown land without lawful authority is an offence under the Crown Land Ordinance. These inspections and enforcement activities form part of a sustained program aimed at safeguarding public lands, discouraging unlawful development and ensuring that Crown land is managed in the best interests of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Crown Land Unit will continue to work closely with the ISU and other partner agencies to identify and address instances of illegal occupation across the Islands. Persons occupying Crown land without authorization are encouraged to comply with all notices issued and to seek guidance from the relevant authorities where necessary.

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Bahamas News

Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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