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Inmate who stabbed prison officer had 'mental health challenges'- Prison boss

Superintendent of His Majesty’s Prison Mr Jay Kendall, right, seen here with fellow UK National Governor Daniel Pruce, has said the inmate who stabbed a prison officer on March 30, 2025, was known to have mental health challenges. Photo: Governor's Office/Facebook/File
The inmate who stabbed a prison officer at His Majesty's Prison on March 30, 2025, has been identified as St Kitts and Nevis national Shakeel Ryan. Photo: Facebook/File
The inmate who stabbed a prison officer at His Majesty's Prison on March 30, 2025, has been identified as St Kitts and Nevis national Shakeel Ryan. Photo: Facebook/File
The stabbing incident at His Majesty's Prison took place on March 30, 2025. Photo: VINO/File
The stabbing incident at His Majesty's Prison took place on March 30, 2025. Photo: VINO/File
BALSAM GHUT, Tortola, VI- His Majesty's Prison (HMP) has confirmed Virgin Islands News Online's first and accurate story about a stabbing incident at the prison on March 30, 2025.

Our News Centre reported on March 31, 2025, that a prison officer was stabbed and had to receive 17 stitches. The inmate, identified as St Kitts and Nevis national Shakeel Ryan, was also injured and received 10 stitches at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital.

According to a statement on March 31, 2025, from Jay Kendall, the Superintendent of Prison, the prisoner involved has "known mental health challenges."

Mr Kendall also said HMP staff responded swiftly and effectively, using appropriate and measured force to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of all involved.

Mental health challenges

According to the prison boss, the incident underscores the unpredictable nature of corrections work and highlights the ongoing challenges associated with mental health in custodial settings.

"Over the past 18 months, we have worked in close partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the Governor’s Office to strengthen safety, security, and rehabilitation efforts within the prison. These initiatives have included enhanced officer training, mental health awareness programmes, and the provision of improved protective equipment, including upgraded communication tools for responding in critical situations."

Kendall said that while "meaningful progress" has been made, continuous improvement is necessary. 

He also said mental health remains a key priority.

"Many incarcerated individuals face significant psychological challenges that require a balanced approach—one that ensures institutional safety while providing rehabilitative support. In collaboration with our partners, we will continue working to strengthen mental health interventions and improve overall inmate management," Kendall stated.

It is unclear whether the matter was reported to police and if charges will be laid.

Ryan, who was charged for the 2017 murders of David Springette and Shawn Richards, was himself a victim of stabbing in May 2024.

See link to related article:

HMP inmate Shakeel Ryan allegedly stabs prison officer

25 Responses to “Inmate who stabbed prison officer had 'mental health challenges'- Prison boss”

  • Tired (01/04/2025, 09:06) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of everyone using the mental defense excuse.Not everyone who has mental issues is going around hurting people.
    • @Tired (01/04/2025, 12:52) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Facts!!! I have mental issues but I'm doing a 9-5 and paying my taxes. No excuse!!! Or else that means I should consider going around and stabbing people too.
  • african (01/04/2025, 09:16) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well if he's mentally challenged he needs to be placed in a mental health institution to receive psychiatric treatment. Ahyou gone leh he stay in de prison to kill officers?
    • Lucifer morningstar (01/04/2025, 13:42) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      You worried bout officers? That fool got 10 stitches next time that inmate will die. In fact I believe he wants to die shiiiit life in prison around man 24 7? kill me B.
  • ... (01/04/2025, 09:27) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    locked in cell must go crazy
  • Kingfish (01/04/2025, 09:33) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why is he still in the BVI ?
  • wondering (01/04/2025, 09:44) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Okay. So you just gave him a defence. Not guilty by reason of diminished mental capacity.

    Is there help in the Prison for prisoners experiencing mental health challenges?
  • Xxx (01/04/2025, 09:51) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Vino you are not always first but accurate that what counts
  • musa (01/04/2025, 10:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    our leaders need help
  • lmfao (01/04/2025, 10:11) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ryan has no mental illness than playing with the system to avoid jail time, that’s the trend here lately everyone mad when they done do crime
  • I wonder what would be the headline (01/04/2025, 10:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    If Kentie, Charles or Guy was still in charge ???????????
  • Real Talk (01/04/2025, 11:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    (HAD OR HAS)
  • Karnage (01/04/2025, 11:46) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice. Now we're importing crazy people.
  • Listen (01/04/2025, 12:19) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dude don’t have any mental issues. He is playing the game to get over on the system. I was diagnosed with PTSD from childhood trauma, but I am not going to go around using PTSD as an excuse to hurt and kill anyone. One of my triggers is when I hear someone whistling because my abusers use to whistle while they were abusing me. This is why I always wear head phones when I am outside in the event someone is whistling.
    • Not listening (01/04/2025, 12:45) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      So because how deal with your trauma means everybody has to act the same weirdo educate yourself
    • @listen (01/04/2025, 12:54) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      Oh my goodness. Sorry to hear this and sorry that you had to go through that. Will send a prayer for you and glad that you chose to do the right thing and not to use this as an excuse to go around inflicting pain on others. Praying for you.
  • Citizen (01/04/2025, 14:07) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    It’s deeply troubling when leadership chooses to distort the truth to shield themselves from accountability. In this incident, the Superintendent publicly framed a critical event as a mental health issue, a convenient narrative that shifts attention away from the real problem: a lack of support and gross negligence.
  • The Truth Will Come Out! (01/04/2025, 14:11) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Let’s be clear! This was not about mental illness. This was about a fellow officer being distracted on her phone, failing to respond when assistance was urgently needed. Instead of owning up to this failure and taking corrective action, the Superintendent opted to protect himself and those who fell short of their duty.
  • Accountability (01/04/2025, 14:13) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Accountability should never be optional......especially in environments where safety and trust are paramount. We owe it to ourselves, our colleagues, and the public to call out negligence when we see it and demand better from those in positions of power.
  • LIES (01/04/2025, 14:19) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Did not know the Superintendent was a DOCTOR. LETS HEAR FROM THE VICTIM (Prison Officer who got stabbed)
  • schz (01/04/2025, 16:07) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well transfer him a pych ward since he wants to play mental health

    how you have a sharp stabbing object in prison with mental health?
  • kk (02/04/2025, 05:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    So wait a minute so because he is mentally ill that mean he have the right to stab he know exactly what he do. that is the best of them play crazy
  • hmm (02/04/2025, 07:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He have mental health challenges but yet was with a local woman lol. Why are there still people with more mental health challenges on the road roaming freely??


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