Government
Grand Turk Prison in Breach of Human Rights Standards, investigation finds
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
TurksandCaicos, March 14, 2023 – Despite significant upgrades, because of continued overcrowding, poor sanitation, and regular sewage issues, His Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk is still not fit for human habitation, and is in breach of International Human Rights standards, says the TCI Human Rights Commission following recent investigations carried out in the facility.
The Commission conducted an unannounced review of the Prison on February 23, after receiving ‘information of alarming conditions’. They say what they found was unacceptable.
“The visit revealed that the facility is currently overcrowded with a total of 131 inmates, which included persons on remand,” said Sabrina Green, Head of the Commission. Some of the prisoners had been on remand for significant lengths of time impeding their access to justice, and the facilities themselves were found wanting.
“One of the major issues and concerns identified by the Commission was the back-up of sewage at the facility. The sewage network at the HMP is dated, and seems to be in disrepair. The system is not suited to the capacity of individuals housed there. Pipe blockages occur frequently, when foreign objects are flushed down the toilets, by the inmates, often as a form of protest. The current issue appears to have been caused by a rock being lodged in the pipes, causing the back-up in one of the septic tanks which resulted in an overflow,” Green explained
The issue was picked up on February 14th by Magnetic Media, when videos of the gray sludge, and overflowing bathrooms where inmates had to contend, were shared by inmates and their relatives. It took more than a week before concrete answers were provided for the public by the Ministry of Home Affairs, led by Minister Otis Morris. On February 21st, the Ministry admitted there were issues with sewage and said they were being dealt with. The visit by the Human Rights Commission was two days later.
Along with the sewage issue that the Commission reported to have found:
- Most of the showers are in disrepair except for the White Wing, and currently on one wing, every toilet on the left-hand side fails to flush.
- The new and improved Yellow Wing lies empty, despite its working facilities. Inmates cannot be housed in it because it is missing special doors, which can only be sourced from the UK.
- One of the ‘Women’s Wing’ door locks, also available only in the UK, still remains broken after being reported
by the Commission several years ago.
Prisoners, as pointed out by Green, have a right to an adequate standard of living and prison officers must ensure that proper health standards are met, under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25). Despite this, the prison has repeatedly been found to have an inhumane standard of living for people on remand and inmates.
At this time, it is also a concern to the Commission that those incarcerated are getting no outdoor time; managers of the facility have admitted this, the statement says.
“Several of the previous Superintendents in charge of the facility have stated that the only solution is to build a new facility fit for the purpose of incarceration and rehabilitation. The problems with sewage at the facility are one of the many reasons the facility is not fit for human habitation.”
Magnetic Media interviewed Minister Morris regarding the report; he explained that while he had been out of the country, everything was, by now, ‘back to normal’. He also explained that, the Cabinet plans to visit the facility on March 8th, which is today – to see the beleaguered prison for themselves.
While challenges are evident and vexing, the Commission reports that there have been significant upgrades, namely:
- The facility stank of sewage. The authorities carried out extensive work on the sewage system in recent years, and now, problems with the sewage are dealt with quickly, even though they still occur.
- Previous reviews noted that the water provided to the inmates was discoloured. This was believed to be from rusty cisterns; now, it is of better quality.
- In the past, inmates were forced to use buckets in their cells to go to the toilet.
- The facility has improved, and Internal fencing and CCTV cameras have made it a much safer place.
Green admitted that Senior leadership and staff at the prison consistently make efforts to improve the environment. Also, funding for the facility has been acquired but there is a lot of work left to do, and that requires a greater sense of urgency.
“The Commission has been making regular visits to the facility for over a decade, and has witnessed many improvements. However, these improvements are noted as the best that the authorities can do, with the resources provided by the government, which tends to be temporary solutions to existing problems,” she explained.
There are efforts for rehabilitation at the prison, which the Commission also acknowledges. For example, she said, “The farm is an excellent tool for the rehabilitation of offenders, and the classroom at the facility houses have computers connected to the internet that allow several inmates to take online courses, providing genuine qualifications. These improvements, although commendable, are not enough to comply with International Human Rights standards,” Green maintained.
“There remain many problems with the facility, and each one dehumanises the inmates that little bit more, and acts as a barrier to effective rehabilitation.”
Using Norway, which has a recidivism rate of 20 percent, Commissioner Green has encouraged the authorities to focus on the prisoners’ wellbeing to make their efforts at rehabilitation effective.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
A warm welcome laced with cautious hope from residents is what greeted Edvin Martin, Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), when he was sworn into office on April 22, 2024.
Washington Misick, TCI Premier and Co-chair of the National Security Council, spoke on behalf of residents during the ceremony, held in Providenciales.
“We have been looking forward to your arrival and for everything that we know about you we are expecting great things,” Misick said, indicating the country was anxious for a return to more peaceful days.
Acknowledging that policing is not the job of a single person, Misick also vowed his support.
The residents who tuned into the live event shared similar sentiments, many welcoming Martin, others, hopeful that his confident words would come to fruition.
Dozens of congratulatory comments were shared by users to Martin, and obviously appraised of his record as former police chief of the Royal Grenada Defense Force commenters expressed satisfaction at his hiring.
“One country’s loss is the next one’s gain….all the best sir,” said one user.
Others were pleased with his introductory remarks.
“He speaks with great confidence, professionalism, and surety, I have faith that he and the entire RTCIPF will do well, God Bless and protect you all,” one resident said.
Another followed it up with “He speaks with great authority! We are looking forward to great work from you and the RTCIPF team at large.”
Others were interested and hopeful, but still cautious, comments included:
“We Shall see what will be what.”
“Hopefully we see more than just ‘Round-about Policing’ and Ticketing. We want guns off the street. Justice and Peace. All the best.”
Also in the comments? Residents seemingly from Martin’s home country of Grenada
“Proud of you Mr. Martin and I am confident that you will do an excellent job. God is with you and we love and respect you,” said one such individual.
Other residents were flat-out angry and called for boycotts of the ceremony.
Rodney Adams, Deputy Commissioner of Police, advised Martin to take stock of and put to use his entire team rather than engaging with a select few.
“I firmly believe that a house divided against itself cannot stand. We, your executive team, are here willing and able to work with you as our team leader to get the job done.”
For his part, Martin made several promises to the people of the TCI, for whom he is now responsible.
“As your Commissioner of Police, I assure you of my unwavering commitment to serve this nation with pride and integrity. I commit to being a Commissioner for the people and doing everything within my power to safeguard our communities.”
Martin began his tenure on April 22.
-
Latin America and Caribbean1 week agoRegional SDGs Update
-
Crime1 week agoFollowing Court ruling, US Embassy Doubles Down on Warning: DO NOT TRAVEL TO TCI WITH GUNS, AMMO
-
Bahamas News1 week agoEnvironment State-Minister updates ‘Our Ocean’ forum on The Bahamas as SIDS leader in sustainable tourism
-
Bahamas News6 days agoPacesetting Cohort of Eleuthera Residents Graduate from Leading Light Programme
-
Bahamas News7 days agoNassau Cruise Port Donates Nearly $2 Million Towards Food Security
-
Caribbean News1 week agoRBC appoints new Head of Caribbean Banking
-
News1 week ago
“Mad Max” Convicted of Murder
-
Health6 days agoIncreased cases of Chicken Pox Prompts Ministry of Health and Human Services Response