LETTER: Concerned Officer asks who is really running the prison

Dear Editor,

Please allow me space in your well-read publication to highlight some issues pertaining to His Majesty’s Prison, with the hope that they will raise public awareness, interest, and discourse.

First, I would like to acknowledge the Superintendent of Prison, Lt. Col. T. Penny-Feather’s effort in taking on the difficult task of attempting to right a sinking ship.

Sadly, the problems are not even from the inmates but stem from administrative issues and my colleagues, who I am embarrassed to admit are very ill-disciplined and disrespectful.

Hon. Benjamin, why do you want to have a Superintendent of Prison when both you and the Permanent Secretary ultimately make the decisions? Are you not concerned about the number of Superintendents you’ve had over the last 11 years?

Sir, why do you encourage officers to come to your office with complaints, bypassing the Superintendent? Why can’t the Superintendent deal with the ill-disciplined officers and those of us who breach Cap. 341 (the rules governing the prison)? What is the reason for your micromanaging?

Honourable Mr. Benjamin, as your title suggests, you should be a man of honor and, as such, it is expected that you would respect the office of the Superintendent and allow him to do his job without his hands being tied. Sir, your job is to put in place policies, having consulted with your Permanent Secretary, the prison hierarchy, and others, that would improve the operations of the institution.

Sir, you should be concerned that the men and women housed at H.M.P. are not only protected and safe but also rehabilitated.

Mr. Minister, we as officers lack continuous training, and there are little to no consequences for our actions. Sometimes, sir, I question if I wish to carry on in this profession. Let me also address another egregious issue: there is talk that 30 new officers will be entering the service shortly, all as established workers. Mr. Benjamin, how in good conscience can you agree to this when there are presently some of us in the service who have been non-established for 22 years, 20 years, 17 years, and 8 years? Can you afford us some explanation, sir, and while at it, inform us if these persons are political appointees?

I hope this letter will prompt you to go back to the drawing board to rewrite/draft new policies for the prison, and I list some priority issues:

1. The power and authority of the Superintendent.
2. The establishment of all prison officers.
3. Training and continuous training of officers in varied areas.
4. Addressing the issue of the court sentencing or remanding mentally challenged persons to HMP, where officers are not trained to deal with such challenges, and these persons are placed among the normal population, putting both officers and inmates at risk. Sir, as recent as last month, a female inmate was attacked in the early hours of the morning by another inmate who, unknown to the cellmates, was diagnosed as being “schizophrenic.” Imagine, sir, cells locked, officers sleeping, and the inmates had to help themselves to prevent a death that day. [Would anyone believe that, like a lot of other things that are heart-aching and keep happening in prison, even more so at the female prison, the Matron only informed the Superintendent about the incident 5 days later?]
5. Promotion of officers.
6. Rehabilitative programs.
7. Reprieve of inmates. Correct me if I am wrong, sir, but isn’t there a law/policy that every Independence Day a certain number of inmates should be released from prison? When was this last done? Why is it not being done? This needs to be re-enacted immediately, sir, and followed through, as it would save taxpayers a lot of money.
8. Prison budget. Over the years, the prison budget has been significantly inadequate. Sir, the inmates’ diet is very unhealthy because of a lack of a proper budget and dietary plan.
   • Staff uniform
   • Staff transport
   • Staff meal/allowance

These are just a few items that need proper budgeting. Finally, sir, let me close by hinting at a few more issues that I will expand on at a later date. Matron of the female prison, why the secrets, and why don’t you follow orders from the Superintendent?

Have you made the Superintendent aware of the nasty cursing by two officers and an inmate just recently? From the talk I’ve been hearing, what transpired was gross misconduct, and those involved should have been severely dealt with. Matron, how have you dealt with this issue? Are you the one actually running the female prison?

Lastly, I end by asking, how far has the investigation into the abortion scandal reached? Did the investigators go as far back as the first Life Long Learning Unit’s class offered in the prison in 2022? Who is the female officer that has been giving information to the activist on Facebook, and the senior officer who has promised the same activist information about the prison?

Mr. Pennyfeather, sir, are you being set up to fail not only by the Minister but also by those who should be working with you? Please don’t let it happen.

Until I come again,
A Very Concerned Officer.

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