Superintendent gives comprehensive report on state of prison security, with more electronics and personnel expected

Lieutenant Colonel Trevor Pennyfeather, superintendent of His
Majesty’s Prison, admits that security continues to be a primary
concern at the penal facility, among a number of issues.

Therefore, Pennyfeather says that prison officials will continue
improvements started in 2023, particularly with regard to electronic
security.

Some success has been had in this regard, he reports, through the
efforts of Digicel and the Government, and the CCTV cameras
installed are now functional.

Cameras reportedly have been installed at the perimeters of His
Majesty’s Prison, as well as in the yard.

Further, Pennyfeather says the prison has already ordered other
electronic security devices, including jammers, which are now being
tested. These will augment other systems that are already in place.

In the meantime, the prison boss says that metal detectors are on
order and discussions are being had with officials at the Antigua and
Barbuda Airport Authority for the purchase of a baggage scanner.

This device is necessary, Pennyfeather says, since many family
members and friends try to get contraband items into the prison for
their relatives.

He says that prison officials have to ensure that anything being
brought to the penal facility is sterile and no contraband is allowed,
which he says still remains a challenge for prison officials.
In terms of the physical security, Pennyfeather says the towers are
up and functional.

He notes that the lighting has been improved, and officials continue
to conduct random searches on inmates and their cells in order to
improve security.

Meanwhile, the prison superintendent says to improve efficiency at
the penal facility an additional set of prison officers is required.
Currently there are 76 functional prison officers, and there are some
challenges with this number, says Pennyfeather, who was speaking
on ABS Radio.

However, he says there is a commitment from the Government that,
within the first quarter of this year (2024), an additional 30 officers
will be sourced to take up employment at the prison.

According to Pennyfeather, he is looking forward to the staff
complement being increased, adding that this is already underway
through the Ministry of Labour, to ensure that these additional
officers are employed in a short order- within four to six weeks.