Contraband flung over the fence at a Tortola prison might have made its way into the hands of inmates if not for new radios guards started using just days before, British Virgin Islands officials said Friday.
Prison guards intercepted a package thrown into the Balsam Ghut less than two days after new radios arrived Dec. 2. The matter was turned over to the Royal British Virgin Islands Police Force but government officials declined to say if arrests were made or what specific contraband was in the package. Frequently smuggled prison contraband includes phones, drugs, weapons, and alcohol, said Andrea Blumire, Gov. Daniel Pruce’s policy and communications officer.
“The radios have vastly improved communication and our ability to respond to security and safety threats and pursue disciplinary charges and possible criminal charges,” said His Majesty’s Prison Superintendent Jay Kendall.
A 2022 review by current and former prison officials found the Balsam Ghut facility lacking in many basic security measures, including equipment like security cameras, adequate staffing, and basic facility upkeep. The review said the site was in poor condition after years of neglect, security procedures were “virtually nonexistent,” and staff morale was “very low.”
In addition to contraband, the prison was known for several escapes in recent years and internal violence. In 2021, five inmates and three prison and police officers were charged in the stabbing death of Nickail Chambers, who was serving a 10-year sentence for attempted murder.
BVI government officials launched a committee to implement recommended changes and several experts arrived from London to assist. In January, the UK-based head of tactical response for His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service trained local prison staff in Tortola, according to GIS. In February, a group of concerned citizens donated basketballs, footballs, art supplies, dominoes, chess sets, and puzzles to help rehabilitate the prisoners.
On Dec. 2, Lee Pilkington, head of the National Locking Section for the Ministry of Justice’s Property Directorate, visited Balsam Ghut, bringing specialized tools and expertise used to maintain prison security.
Prison officers at Balsam Ghut were equipped with state-of-the-art radios and ID cards funded by the UK government. The radios enhance communication and coordination across the facility, significantly improving security and operational effectiveness. The ID cards streamline security processes, ensuring stricter access controls, according to BVI Government Information Services.
Within 48 hours of getting the new equipment, an officer on perimeter patrol detected a package being thrown over the fence. With the radios’ swift communication capability, staff responded effectively, involving both prison and police teams, officials said.
