Hashtag: #PrisonConditions
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
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’
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
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
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 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
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
[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
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
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
Crackdown On Prohibited Items In Prison
Cabinet has approved amendments to increase the penalties for conveying prohibited articles into prison and to also provide a sentencing regime around specific prohibited articles including cell phones, Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said this morning [Mar 8] in the House of Assembly. “The Commissioner of Corrections has instituted a zero-tolerance... Read more of this article
Minister On Prison Farm’s ‘Giving Back Program’
Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley held a press conference today [Feb 21] to highlight the Prison Farm’s ‘Giving Back to the Community Program,’ which involves inmates providing manpower for the completion of general labour. Minister Dunkley said, “We are here today to highlight the significant contribution the Bermuda Department... Read more of this article
Man Charged With Smuggling Goods Into Prison
In Magistrates Court yesterday [Feb 4], Alfred Thompson, 44, pleaded not guilty to a charge of trespassing and trying to unlawfully pass banned goods into Westgate Correctional Facility. Crown Counsel Carrington Mahoney alleged that Thompson had been apprehended in the environs of the prison facility with items including Samson tobacco, Rizla rolling... Read more of this article
Minister Updates: Substance Abuse Treatment
Earlier this afternoon, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Kim Wilson provided an update of the substance abuse treatment services and facilities which fall under the Ministry. Minister Wilson said the Transitional Living Center [TLC] — which was located at Westgate and aimed to help offenders successfully reintegrating into the community... Read more of this article
Curtis: Politics, Uighurs, Faith Based Tourism
Appearing in an interview yesterday [Aug 28] on the Sherri Simmons radio show on Magic 102.7, Andre Curtis talked about a wide variety of issues including his recent incarceration, politics, crime, religion, and the Faith Based tourism plan. He said he is 75% sure he may run for public office, he knew the Uighurs were coming before they arrived, the... Read more of this article
Prisoner Denies Assaulting Another Inmate
A Westgate prisoner appeared in this morning’s [Aug 1] Supreme Court Arraignments session and denied causing grievous bodily harm to another prisoner in August of last year. Antoine Anderson pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing grievous bodily harm to Winston Darrell. on 22nd August 2011. Mr Anderson will go on trial on 5th November 2012.... Read more of this article
