Convicts remain free as no room in prison

Dwight Scott, Director of Prison Service

Tuesday,  January 3, 2005

With HMP Northward at full capacity there are convicted persons walking the streets on bail waiting until space is available in the country’s prison in order to serve out the sentences handed down to them by the courts.

Director of Prison Service, Dwight Scott, told Cayman Net News the prison population is over the certified capacity of 165 by 18.

As a result of the newly drafted bills relating to bail, evidence, the penal code, firearms’ penalties, police powers and prison terms more persons are ending up with longer jail terms.

“The certified capacity in the male prison is for 165 persons and as of (Wednesday 28 December) we have 183 persons in prison. There are people who are in lock ups, out on bail, and who have violated the conditions of their parole who are in the pipeline to come to the prison,” Mr Scott said.

The Director said that some of the people due to come in the system have violated their agreements with the courts. Meanwhile, others are out on bail who have been convicted and are making preparations to serve their time.

He could not say how many persons were to come in the system but pointed out that the number would be a significant amount. 

Mr Scott said that the prison officials have converted other buildings on the compound into living quarters to house the inmates. There are two inmates to a cell and it would be impossible to put more together, he pointed out. 

The young offenders’ prison, according to Mr Scott, is under- utilised but inmates for the adult male prison cannot be housed at that location. 

“It (young offenders’ prison) is a semi autonomous operation within Northward,” he added.

The director said that he has spoken to government officials on the issue. In an interview with CiNTV – Cayman Net News affiliate Internet streaming video news magazine, Mr Scott said that he has had meetings with government officials where he outlined the problem that he is facing.

“I’m not sure what the government officials are doing about it but they are aware of the problem of overcrowding,” he pointed out.

Mr Scott said that the prison officers are trying to keep order within the population while carrying out programmes to rehabilitate the inmates. 

“With people living so close together there will be issues and the prison officers are trying their best to deal with the situation,” he said. “I think that the prison officers are doing a good job under the current situation,” he added.

In an earlier interview Hon George McCarthy, Chief Secretary, under whose portfolio the Prison falls, had revealed that a 13 December meeting had been scheduled between the Principal Policy Advisor to the Chief Secretary, Dr Philip Pedley and the Director and Deputy Directors of Northward and Eagle House facilities.

However, Mr McCarthy was not available for a comment on what government would do to assist in the situation.

anthony@caymannetnews.com

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