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Appointment of UK man as Sup. Of Prisons a shock to HMP officers
“I am 100% sure that this was not discussed beforehand with Mr Forbes and that was totally insulting and disrespectful much more to say unfair,” a senior officer told Virgin Islands News Online on condition of anonymity.
Yesterday afternoon October 4, 2013, in a release circulated by the Government Information Services (GIS), Mr McCleary announced that he has appointed Mr David Foot as Superintendent of Prisons; a move the release said was constitutional.
Attempts to contact both the Governor and acting Superintendent of Prisons Mr Charles L. Forbes proved futile. However, other senior officers were very vocal on the matter. This news agency was told that the appointment has given a clear indication that the Governor, allegedly, has not been cooperating with the Minister for Education and Culture and other heads of Government who have been insisting that a VIslander or Belonger be appointed to the position.
“This is something that has been preached over and over and over again even for the employment of ordinary prison officers. They have been insisting that we look internally before going outside and this one is a big slap in the face,” said an upset senior prison officer.
Another said he felt an injustice was done to Mr Forbes as he was doing a commendable job since taking on the acting position following the sudden passing of Mr Richard D. Holder in late 2012.
“Nobody absolutely nobody has ever heard of this Foot person. He never came here to see what is going on here. He coming blinded and would be depending on us and that same Mr Forbes…Rather than we move forward I see this as a step backwards,” alleged the officer.
The unanswered questions now are when Mr Foot will be taking office and what will be Mr Forbes’ position as this was not included in the press release sent to media houses late Friday afternoon.
It is not clear whether Mr Forbes knew long beforehand that he was going to be replaced or whether the Minister for Education and Culture, under whose responsibility the prison falls, was adequately informed of same.
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64 Responses to “Appointment of UK man as Sup. Of Prisons a shock to HMP officers”
the governor made a fundamental error with this appoinment..w**** putting blacks in lock down
David Foot joined the Prison Service of England & Wales as a Prison Officer in 1991 and since then has served in every uniformed grade in a number of different prisons. His postings have included male prisons, high security prisons, female prisons and most recently working as the Deputy Prison Governor and Governor of a Young Offenders Institution.
He has wide ranging operational experience and qualifications and has served on the National Executive Committee of the Prison Governors’ Association, the UK’s professional body for senior prison managers. He has an excellent track record of ensuring that prisons are well run, safe and secure and is focussed on seeking to reduce reoffending by providing effective rehabilitation services for prisoners.
Dave Foot – National Executive Committee
Dave joined the prison service in 1991, training at Aberford Road and was posted to HMP Wandsworth, followed by a return to the North West at Risley on the now infamous TAC Unit.
He was promoted to SO at HMP Manchester on it’s re-role to a core local and moved as part of the cuts imposed to keep the SLA in 1999. He transferred to HMP Wymott where he was fortunate to be involved in the introduction of the public protection manual and piloted VISOR for the prison service.
During his time at Wymott he became the Security PO and then Acting Head of Operations. He moved to HMP Garth as Operations PO in 2007 and passed the Op Man JSAC shortly after that. He was promoted in situ to Manger F and has managed various residential units since.
Dave is very proud of his career in the service and feels lucky to have gained the experience from differing establishments he has worked in and the people he has worked with. He has worked in every department available and with all types of prisoner apart from young offenders and juveniles.
Dave has been a member of a Staff Association from day 1 and joined the PGA on promotion in 2007. He is proud to be part of the NEC and hopes that he can be a valued member of the team and help the NEC secure the future of Prison Governors in these difficult times.
He is a life long Liverpool fan and season ticket holder, and still manages to play football and cricket in local leagues
I commend the Governor for his bold decision. While I have to doubt that Mr. Forbes was doing his best, the truth is some of the prison officers are corrupt and bringing someone from the outside may just be the right solution to tackle the problems. Give Mr. Foot a fair chance. Let us not judge him until is on the job and doing the work. I am all for getting the job done regardless of where the person in the position is from.
The truth is that we canno always trust some of our locals to get the job done. How many times has this been proven?
bulls**t this is not right, what u guys just did is close job offers to locals or anyone living here already. cause had Forbes take that post then the rest of the ranks would of moved up opening jobs.
achewwww
Please appoint a new Premier got our territory because the one eerily currently have is s follower not a leader.
Sincerely,
A BV Islsnder
I believe that there are other senior officers up balo who can do the job with some additional training. They sent the acting commish of police for additional administrative training, could do the same for potential officers at the prison. As Paul Revere said, the British are coming!!!!!!!!
When we see your prediction happening, I hope they know what time it is. Time for self-determination. Our people keep sitting back and trusting w**** people. Can they ever be trusted knowing our history. If we don't get out from under GB, we will be in the sky fighting the battles for our grandchildren. Watch them damn British!! Watch those South Africans here!! Watch those who want every commercial space in town!! Watch the Ching-Chungs!! Lord, why are our people still sleeping like Rip-Van-Winkle? We got to watch these Governors they are sending here. We are still in slavery. It is time to throw off the modern day shackles.
m***n lied to us again...the governor said that he supported the move
One Love !
A very good and fair man . You'll change your negative opinions given time .