Prison boss makes other arrangements to ease overcrowding of inmates since new penitentiary is not on the horizon

For years there has been talk about constructing a new penal facility
– due to the overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at His Majesty’s
Prison. However, according to Lieutenant Colonel Trevor
Pennyfeather, the superintendent of the prison, no meaningful
discussion about this has been taking place.

What he has done in the meantime, he says, is reinforce a number of
shipping containers that, initially, were found unsuitable to house
inmates.
 
Now, he says, about 40 inmates are being housed in these
structures. These prisoners, he explains, are gainfully employed at
His Majesty’s Prison, and an assessment of their conduct has
determined that they do not pose any great risk.
 
Pennyfeather says there is room for 40 additional containers; but
these have not yet been retrofitted to meet prison officials’
standards. However, he says, the retrofitting process is ongoing, and
these units will help to ease the congestion at the penitentiary.
 
Additionally, the prison boss reveals that a section of the facility’s
roof – at the B Division – is missing. However, he says the 2024
budget has made provisions for the Ministry of Public Works to

effect the needed repairs, and this project will also be supported by
inmates.
 
Once this section of the roof is replaced, Pennyfeather says, inmates
can be housed in that area, and the successful retrofitting of the
containers will also allow for less congestion.

He says this would likely allow for two inmates per cell, making the
situation far more manageable in terms of safety and security.