News
Halfway House has defied the odds, Gov’t pledges to support final phase of construction
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.
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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