Column: MP King On Corrections Officers & More

[Opinion column written by MP Robert King]

The recent attacks on correctional officers at the Westgate Correctional Facility are unacceptable.

These officers have a difficult job, working in a highly stressful and dangerous environment, and it is imperative that they receive the requisite services for their physical and emotional health.

Incarcerated persons, especially those whom have chosen to make the necessary changes in attitudes and beliefs that will support a good and simple life, also face similar risks to their health and safety.

They too must receive all services necessary to increase their chances of success, including educational/vocational opportunities and treatment for substance use disorders, violent and sexual offending, intimate partner violence, anger and emotional management, criminal attitudes, and beliefs and conflict resolution and restorative justice.

The issues concerning the operations of Westgate Correctional Facility have been repeatedly communicated and documented by officers on the front line, incarcerated persons, the Prison Officers Association, staff, and myself.

The physical plant is in a state of disrepair and yet there is no sense of urgency to fix the problems.

There has been chronic problems with the plumbing that has resulted in the facility not having hot water and, at times, no water at all.

As was highlighted recently by an inmate behind the walls in a letter to the editor, $400,000 was earmarked for educational and rehabilitative services. The money was spent on upgrades to the kitchen facility and a few months later the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Kim Wilkerson, toured the Westgate facility and posed for a photo opportunity in front of the recently purchased kitchen equipment.

A press release said the new equipment was installed in support of culinary classes at the facility. However, as the inmate explained, there are no culinary classes being offered at Westgate, and there have not been any classes offered since before the pandemic. As the inmate explains, “the truth is that the kitchen at Westgate was — and still is — in a state of disrepair and that the equipment that was purchased was necessary in order to keep the facility running.”

This is unacceptable. Corrections officers and inmates need immediate, concrete action – not photo ops.

Officers have identified the need for equipment to improve safety, in particular cellphone jammers and drone nets to prevent cellphones, drugs, and weapons from entering the facility. The Department of Corrections is critically short of officers, which results in many working overtime and burning out because of mental and physical exhaustion. This has the knock on effect of a deterioration of safety protocols and the ability to conduct regular and random sweeps to clear the facility of phones, weapons, drugs, and other contraband.

The Government has underfunded Corrections by more than $7 million dollars that could have positively impacted safety, service delivery, and a reduction in reoffending.

The One Bermuda Alliance recognises that staffing is a primary need and that we do not currently have sufficient candidates for the positions. Bermuda cannot wait for the new uniform training school to provide staff – we must recruit trained officers from the UK using a similar approach to the Bermuda Police Service. We should also consider sending a Bermudian cohort overseas to work for a minimum of six months in maximum security prisons to get the necessary knowledge and experience to effectively operate a safe and results-driven facility.

If we continue on our current course, lives will be lost on both sides. We know what we must do and instead of empty promises and witnessing the further deterioration of the system; we need to take meaningful action now.

- Robert King, MP, Shadow National Security Minister

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