UK Minister David Rutley visits Prison, all agree Farm project growing well

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, October 23, 2023 – Inmates at His Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk spoke with David Rutley, UK Minister for the Overseas Territories, when he landed in Grand Turk on an official visit recently.

Rutley made the prison his first stop on the tour of the Turks and Caicos’ Capital alongside Minister for Home Affairs, Hon. Otis Morris.  Rutley was taken through the wings of the facility to speak to prisoners and see recent developments.

HMP was thrust under the microscope (again) in early 2023 when sewage issues erupted and a damning report from the Human Rights Commission revealed not just overcrowding but poor shower facilities and broken locks.

Minister Morris, following the incident, promised to lead a Cabinet visit to the prison to assess the necessary repairs with his colleagues.

One thing that both the Human Rights Commission and TCIG agreed on and that they proudly showed off to Rutley was the prison farm.

“The Minister visited the prison farm and saw for himself how it is a shining example of community outreach and an important way to upskill inmates and support rehabilitation,” an update from the Governor’s office said.

We reached out to the Minister  for an update on the state of the prisons but he did not reply.