Following the failure of the Parole Board, prisoners deemed eligible for parole were released by the then Governor William B. McCleary after consultation with the Prerogative of Mercy Committee, which advises the Governor on conditional release for prisoners. Photo: VINO/File

Immediate Past Governor of the Virgin Islands, William B. McCleary (left) had transferred responsibilities for parole from the Ministry of Education and Culture headed by Hon Myron V. Walwyn to the Ministry of Health and Social Development. Photo: VINO/File

The National Democratic Party (NDP) 2015 manifesto was launched on May 30, 2015. Photo: VINO

This was under the Ministry of Education and Culture headed by Hon Myron V. Walwyn. However, the National Democratic Party (NDP) government has the matter of a Parole Board in its 2015 manifesto in which one of the glaring issues under the section dealing with crime, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP), is the establishing of a Parole Board.

A parole board is a panel of people who decide whether an offender should be released from prison on parole after serving at least a minimum portion of their sentence as prescribed by the sentencing judge.

The manifesto further stated that the NDP recognises the need to reduce the high incidence of crime especially among young offenders, develop a crime prevention plan following community-based hearings on the matter and inviting suggestions for solutions, establish a Parole Board and support the anonymous reporting of criminal activities.

Parole Board an issue?

It was shortly after the NDP took office in 2011 that they, through Government Information Service (GIS), had called for persons to apply to be part of a Parole Board.

The board was established according to a report seen by this news site, however, it was essentially shut down as the non-appointment of a parole officer hindered work and prevented members from considering inmates for parole sometime in mid 2013.

“Midway through the year, the Board decided not to meet officially unless something significant had changed to allow the Board to exercise its duties. It was also agreed that continued updates will be circulated to members via email," according to the report.

The Board's Chairman, Mr Denniston Fraser planned to meet with certain prisoners who were eligible for parole to inform them of the reason for not having the hearing. Additionally consultants, Mr and Mrs Edwards of Edwards Consulting advised that it was not a good idea for the Chairman to meet with the prisoners outside of the parole hearing setting.

The report indicated that prisoners deemed eligible for parole were released by the then Governor William Boyd McCleary after consultation with the Prerogative of Mercy Committee, which advises the Governor on conditional release for prisoners.

McCleary had also transferred responsibilities for parole from the Ministry of Education and Culture to the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

“…we are on the way to introducing a parole system. It has been some time in coming but we have an established parole board and are working to ensure that the basic structure is in place so that the parole can take off,” UK-appointed Governor Mr William Boyd McCleary had said on September 17, 2013.

New location of Police Headquarters

Printed in the National Democratic Party's manifesto off 2015 are a number of things targeting the disciplinary service of the territory and among them is the removal of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force headquarters from the Sir Olva Georges Plaza‎ along Waterfront Drive in Road Town.

"Although it is important that the RVIPF be located in a prominent and accessible location, there is no need for their ‎administration to be located in the Sir Olva Georges Plaza. As part of the revitalisation of Road Town, our city centre, a suitable location will be found for accommodating these hard working public servants," states the manifesto.