Senior Officers Join UK Leadership Programme
Divisional Officers Shannon DeRoza and Milton Jones are nearing completion of a UK-funded prison leadership programme supporting Bermuda’s ongoing correctional system reforms.
A Government spokesperson said, “Two senior Department of Corrections officers are nearing completion of a UK-funded prison leadership programme that is directly supporting Bermuda’s wider effort to reform and modernise its correctional system following the recent independent standards review.
“The Ministry of Justice is recognising the successful participation of Divisional Officer Shannon DeRoza and Divisional Officer Milton Jones in the Next Generation Prison Leaders programme, an Overseas Territory Prison Leadership and Management Development Programme running from December 2025 to July 2026.
“Divisional Officer DeRoza and Divisional Officer Jones represented Bermuda in the course, which supports middle and senior operational prison managers across the British Overseas Territories.
Divisional Officer Shannon DeRoza and Divisional Officer Milton Jones
“The initiative is funded through the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Justice. It is led and endorsed by the Ministry of Justice Overseas Territories Justice Programme, with support from His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and the Prison Reform Trust.
“The programme brought together prison leaders from participating jurisdictions across the Overseas Territories, including Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Saint Helena and the Turks and Caicos Islands, together with the United Kingdom.
“The Next Generation Prison Leaders programme was designed to build operational leadership capability, improve confidence and support closer alignment with agreed prison standards across the Overseas Territories.
“Participants also worked with experienced facilitators and mentors, including high-performing managers from HM Prison Service, and took part in a short-term placement in a UK prison.
“A key part of the initiative required each participant to lead a place-based project within their own prison service.
“Bermuda’s Ministry of Justice said the successful participation of Divisional Officer DeRoza and Divisional Officer Jones is closely aligned with the Government’s wider reform agenda for the Department of Corrections following the recent tabling of the independent standards review report.
“The report, commissioned by the Government, provides a detailed and practical roadmap for improvement within Bermuda’s correctional system and sets out 75 recommendations across key areas.”
Minister Wilkerson stated: “I congratulate Divisional Officer DeRoza and Divisional Officer Jones on successfully representing Bermuda in the Next Generation Prison Leaders programme.
“This is a meaningful achievement, and they should be proud of it. Their participation reflects the calibre of officers we have within the Department of Corrections , and the important role staff will play in the reform process now underway.”
The Minister added: “The standards review made clear that Bermuda’s correctional system must move with greater purpose, stronger accountability and closer alignment with international detention standards.”
Commissioner of Corrections Keeva Joell-Benjamin said the officers’ participation is an important moment for the Department and for the continued development of its staff.
“Divisional Officer DeRoza and Divisional Officer Jones have both risen through the ranks of the Department of Corrections, and their successful participation in this programme reflects their professionalism, their work ethic and their clear commitment to preparing for future leadership,” said the Commissioner.
“This is a positive achievement for them personally, and it is also important for the Department. We need officers who are prepared to lead, who are willing to learn from international partners, and who can bring that knowledge back into our facilities in a practical way.”
The spokesperson said, “Minister Wilkerson also linked the programme to her recent engagement with Overseas Territories counterparts and prison officials in the British Virgin Islands in April.”
congratulations and very proud of you both.
Warriors!!!
“a UK-funded prison leadership programme supporting Bermuda’s ongoing correctional system reforms.”
Why are we accepting such assistance from a country our PLP Government detests?
They don’t know themselves unless there is an agreement that has not been shared with US.