Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Camillo Gonsalves his government is moving to redress existing shortcomings at the prisons as an investigation has revealed troubling deficiencies in management structures in the system.
Presenting the 2021 budget address in parliament on Monday, Gonsalves recalled the prison break on December 9th when high-profile double murder accused Veron Primus, 33, and Ulrick Hanson, 28, who was also on remand for murder.
Gonsalves said the prison system was the unfortunate focus of attention when the two dangerous criminals briefly escaped from Her Majesty’s Prison. He noted they were subsequently apprehended without endangering the public.
“We are grateful to our security services for their prompt response to actionable intelligence in that regard. However, despite the recapture of the escapees, an examination by the Ministry of National Security has revealed troubling deficiencies in management structures within our prison service.
“While temporary correctives have been put in place pending the completion of fuller investigation, the government will act decisively to redress the existing shortcomings,” Gonsalves said.
The finance minister said the detention facilities are in “urgent need of repair.” “Budget 2021 addresses electrical, plumbing and structural defects at Her Majesty’s Prison and the Belle Isle correctional facility,” Gonsalves told parliament
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Allocating only half the money they need to run the prisons properly is the real problem. Starve them ofcash and you get a poor service. Understaffed, underpaid and overworked.