Exclusive: VI prisoners in St Lucia complain of ‘inhumane’ treatment
The VI inmates were transferred to the Bordelais Correctional Facility in 2017, after Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) at Balsam Ghut on the main island of Tortola, received extensive damage during hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Treated like dogs-VI Prisoners
Speaking exclusively with Virgin Islands News Online, inmates claim, “…we are treated like dogs; like we have no rights”.
The St Lucian BCF is said to be overcrowded with some 500 inmates, and while a 1-hour recreational period is set aside for those incarcerated, VI inmates are said to be denied, “and they are (instead) locked down frequently without valid reasons.”
VI inmates speaking to this newsroom have also claimed there is no accommodation in the St Lucian prison system for those with special dietary requirements.
“They (inmates) are given something to eat that they do not eat they, will have no choice but to stay hungry, as nothing else will be offered,” one of the prisoners said.
Inmates have complained too, they are made to purchase water for drinking purposes from the BCF’s commissary, since, “the water in the prison is brown and not drinkable.”
Superintendent of Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) at Balsam Ghut, Mr David E. Foot, when contacted by this newsroom denied the allegations saying, “I have been to St Lucia, and it is not inhumane”.
Superintendent Foot—himself on his way out of his job—when asked when the prisoners will return said, “as soon as the building work is finished.”
Calls placed by this newsroom were not immediately returned by the St Lucian authorities, and Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) is yet to make a public pronouncement on when the inmates will be returned.
Sometime last month two—of the 21 inmates transferred—Allen Baptiste and Alcedo Tyson, were returned to the Territory, following successful appeals in their respective court matters.
Sill in Custody at BCF
Those still being accommodated in St Lucia are; Aaron George; Kareem Durante; Orlando Bonnick; Yan Edwards; Andrew 'Ratty' Milton; Omarie Winter; Kenyatta Boynes ; Devin Maduro; Deshawn Stoutt; Matthew D. Hazel; Jessroy McKelly; Jevone Demming; Sherman-Abdul Williams; Jerry Martin; Samuel Harris; Alberto Rosa De La Rosa; Lorne Parson; Dennis D. Campbell; and Shakoy Lavacia.
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40 Responses to “Exclusive: VI prisoners in St Lucia complain of ‘inhumane’ treatment”
(IF) it’s outside of that then our government/their government should do a bit of homework and fix it before our prisoners or the prisoners ended up doing time or a crime that could be avoided.
Also a heads up to our youths and careless adults that it doesn’t matter our last names/ or pocket size, if we commit the crime and caught we know what the chances are.... i don’t wish prison life on my worse enemy but our youths need just make smarter choices. No one is perfect but it’s doent give us the right to do mean bad things. Maybe the BVI/now in St.Luica prisoners Could voice up and set examples....
Did the crime do the time
I concur, a prison is a prison for whatever it's worth,, but even prisoners should have rights. No sanitary potable water, and a paltry meal should be unacceptable to all involved.
Why didn't the government saw it fit to move prisoners to facilities that paralled goods and services available here in the UK VI
Responsible officials should ensure the rights of our prisoners regardless of their temporary locale during the rebuilding of our country!
I note from your long list of names that you have always been long standing clients and we welcome your continued custom. Have a great day now
Thanks st lucia no more 5 star hotel life
Prisons are a particularly ugly and mean part of it, like torture. Humans love that too, or they wouldn't
have it. Its a way of life on the little blue planet. Dominate or be dominated.
What about the innocent little girl in West End and other crime victims, that was inhumane treatment. If the prisoners is receiving inhumane treatment in prison then, oh well. Karma is a sweet Beoch/bi**h when it stings you.