(PLTM) - The Territory’s leader believes that it is time for the BVI government to make provisions to allow for the return of the 21 hardened inmates of Her Majesty's Prison (HMP), who were transferred to St. Lucia.
The inmates were sent to St. Lucia after the September hurricanes, which caused extensive damage to Her Majesty’s Prison at Balsam Ghut.
“It is time for our prisoners housed in St. Lucia to be back at Balsam Ghut where they can be in touch with their families and friends,” Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith said this week.
The BVI has to pay some $78,000.00 to the government of St. Lucia, to accommodate the prisoners for six months.
Government had anticipated that the inmates would return by this month.
Last month, Hon. Myron Walwyn, Minister of Education and Culture said that repair works on the Balsam Ghut penitentiary have commenced and are progressing well. He indicated that this will allow for the inmates to return soon.
Government in its proposed Recovery and Development Plan for the Territory, indicated that $10.5M will be needed to repair the prison.
According to the plan, the monies will allow for prison infrastructure repairs, including security fence, infrastructure improvements and expansion, ICT infrastructure, and vehicles.
Ninety percent of the prisoners who were transferred are murder convicts, including expatriates. They are Aaron George; Kareem Durante; Orlando Bonnick; Yan Edwards; Andrew 'Ratty' Milton; Omarie Winter; Kenyatta Boynes ; Alcedo Tyson ; Devin Maduro; Deshawn Stoutt; Matthew Daniel Hazel; Jessroy McKelly; Jevone Demming; Sherman-Abdul Williams; Jerry Martin; Samuel Harris; Alberto Rosa De La Rosa; Lorne Parson; Dennis Dwayne Campbell; Allen Baptiste; and Shakoy Lavacia.
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