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Halfway House has defied the odds, Gov’t pledges to support final phase of construction

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By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm

 

#TurksandCaicos, February 23, 2022 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government has pledged money to support the completion of a halfway house in Chalk Sound, Providenciales.

In a tour led by the Turks and Caicos Drug Prevention Foundation, executives: Dierin Longmire and Edith Skippings, the progresses made at the site, despite insufficient funding; thefts and damage to the home, were touted and accompanied expressions of gratitude to the Government, the Governor’s Office and supporters of the various charity events held to bring the idea to completion.

“Everybody has been supportive of this, and the people that we are going to help, I know, will also be appreciative because I know, as a recovering addict (myself), I know what it is like to be where they are until they can get clean and sober and find their way,” said Dierin Longmire, president of the TCDPF.

The Foundation has come a long way and is eager to secure the monies which will finalise the building stage, leaving only furnishings to be purchased before they can begin moving in tenants.

Speaking at the tour of the halfway house in early February, Jaron Harvey, Probation and Parole Manager with the Turks and Caicos Islands government shared tangible insight, “About 75 per cent of our clients have some sort of a drug problem and we had to recently send someone back to prison due to (involvement in) crime because they don’t have sustainable housing and we don’t have somewhere we would have been able to put them.”

Because of crimes which they have committed in the past, family has alienated them so with a project like this, we would be able to put them here temporarily and be able to work with them until they realise the potential that they have.  But it is difficult working with someone who is an offender and not being able to control the environment that they go in,” said Mr. Harvey.

The recommendation is a structured environment which increases the likelihood of positive outcomes in rehabilitation and intervention.

“A project like this would be able to assist us even in the pre-sentencing format, where persons are committing crimes and the crimes are not so severe that it causes them to go to prison or for prisoners who are released from prison and a landlord is not willing to rent to them, a project like this is something we endorse.”

The Halfway House will serve as a rehabilitation center to support those who have served time in Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk.

Longmire, during that tour explained that the Halfway House will be home to islanders who have left the system and want a second chance.

“When we bring people in here, we are going to give them 30 days to find a job and when they get a job, we are going to look at how much they are making, and they will begin paying rent.  This will help them to get used to getting back into society, but they need a transitioning place.  They need a job when they come out,” said Derin in sharing the vision for the Halfway House, which will be able to accommodate 25 individuals.

“This is about 25 per cent of jail, because there are 109 inmates at the prison right now.  But if we had to do bunk beds or something like that to house more people, we would be able to do it.”

Nigel Dakin, TCI Governor and Otis Morris, TCI Minister of Home Affairs agreed on the important role of the Halfway House; from the Governor, there was also a plea.

“This only works if the next phase of people embraces it, and those are the Employers.  If you as an employer can give a second chance that would be absolutely wonderful. If someone comes out on parole they’ve been through such a rigorous process to get to that point they genuinely deserve a chance and you’re not taking a big risk so please help.”

The minister, who appeared impressed with the construction on South Dock Road said the funding to complete the construction is coming in the new fiscal year, which begins in April 2022.

“It is in the new budget.  I want to see it finished and operating as conceived.  It will do tremendous good, in the sense of helping to rehabilitate.  This will not only be for drug offenders but for offenders on the whole, and it will really help them get back into the society and make the society better than it is now,” said Minister Morris.

There are no statistics which state the rate of recidivism for the Turks and Caicos, however, it is agreed by all who address the subject that the number of inmates, re-offending and returning to the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (Her Majesty’s Prison) is too high.

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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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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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