Hashtag: #PrisonConditions

Temporary Plumbing Issue At Westgate

Temporary Plumbing Issue At Westgate

The Department of Corrections confirmed that there was a plumbing issue in the Medium Housing units at Westgate, which “resulted in a lack of water for flushing toilets” and repairs have now been completed. A spokesperson said, “The Department of Corrections confirmed that there was a plumbing leak in the Medium Housing units at Westgate,... Read more of this article

Minister Aims To Address Concerns At Westgate

Minister Aims To Address Concerns At Westgate

“We are fully aware of the challenges within our correctional system and are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to find viable solutions,” said Minister of National Security Michael Weeks. A Government spokesperson said, “At the request of the Minister, the Treatment of Offenders Board [TOOB] met with the Westgate... Read more of this article

Inmate Complains About Smoking Ban In Prison

Inmate Complains About Smoking Ban In Prison

An inmate complained to the Ombudsman’s office about the smoking ban in prison, however the office declined to act on the complaint, noting that the smoking ban had been implemented nearly seven years before the inmate lodged the complaint. This is according to the recently released Ombudsman report which said, “An inmate wrote to our Office... Read more of this article

Resolution Reached In Corrections Dispute

Resolution Reached In Corrections Dispute

The Ministry of National Security advised this evening [Sept 14] that “a resolution has been reached regarding the impasse with Westgate Correctional Facility Corrections Officers”. A Ministry spokesperson said, “The Commissioner of Corrections, Lt. Col. Eddie Lamb notified the Ministry earlier this evening that following a productive... Read more of this article

Govt: ‘Hopeful That Resolution Can Be Reached’

Govt: ‘Hopeful That Resolution Can Be Reached’

Discussions with the Prison Officers Association continue, the Ministry of National Security said this afternoon, adding that “progress is being made” and they are “hopeful that a resolution can be reached.” This follows after some Corrections Officers began a sit-out yesterday to protest working conditions. A Ministry of National... Read more of this article

“Discussions Continue” With Corrections Officers

“Discussions Continue” With Corrections Officers

Following the sit-out today by some Corrections Officers to protest working conditions, the Ministry of National Security said “discussions continue at this hour between the Prison Officers Association and the management of the Department of Corrections and it is hoped that some resolution will be achieved shortly.” A Ministry of National... Read more of this article

Change In Prison Water Supply To Save $36-48K

Change In Prison Water Supply To Save $36-48K

The West End Development Corporation [WEDCo] worked with the Department of Corrections to make changes to the water supply that will save at least $36,000 – $48,000 per year, the Government said. The Westgate Corrections Facility is currently connected to WEDCo’s Waste Water treatment facility for the treatment of their sewage waste. However,... Read more of this article

21 Inmates Graduate, Receive GED Diplomas

21 Inmates Graduate, Receive GED Diplomas

21 prison inmates received their GED certificates at ceremonies held on Wednesday [June 26], Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said this morning [June 28] in the House of Assembly. There were 16 graduates at Westgate, and five at Co-Ed, and one of the graduates, a 20 year old female, returned to the facility specifically to receive her certificate. The... Read more of this article

No-Go Maritime Area By Westgate Proposed

No-Go Maritime Area By Westgate Proposed

Cabinet will shortly be invited to approve a new no-go zone for maritime traffic within a prescribed distance from the north-west shores of the Westgate prison, Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said this morning [June 7] in the House of Assembly. Minister Dunkley also said that additional internal screening is being installed on cell windows,... Read more of this article

Minister: Prison Work Programme To Continue

Minister: Prison Work Programme To Continue

[Updated with video] The incident which resulted in a sex offender working outside his victim’s mothers home was “the result of a genuine fault in the system and where there are flaws in the system then it is the responsibility of the Government to address them,” Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said today. Last week the newspaper... Read more of this article

Sustain Bermuda Seminar On Jail Alternatives

Sustain Bermuda Seminar On Jail Alternatives

The Sustain Bermuda initiative is inviting the public to attend a brown bag lunch this Friday [Mar. 22] where the topic of discussion will be “Alternatives To Incarceration”. “The cost of housing inmates in Bermuda is significantly high,” said a spokesman. “The alternatives may assist in decreasing recidivism and could... Read more of this article

Minister Dunkley On Parole Board Report

Minister Dunkley On Parole Board Report

The 2012 Parole Board Report highlights the need for an amendment to the relevant legislation related to minimum sentences to be served before being eligible for parole, Minister of Public Safety Michael Dunkley said this morning [Mar 18] in the House of Assembly. Minister Dunkley said, “If an offender is sentenced to 9 months imprisonment and... Read more of this article