Videos circulating online showed the inmate recording portions of the standoff from inside the prison while making complaints about his treatment and conditions at the institution.
An inmate who barricaded himself inside a cell at His Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut in apparent protest against conditions at the facility was removed by prison officers following a tense incident that briefly spilled onto social media.
Videos circulating online showed the inmate recording portions of the standoff from inside the prison while making complaints about his treatment and conditions at the institution.
However, prison officials say the situation was safely brought under control without posing any threat to the wider public.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Acting Superintendent of His Majesty’s Prison Raymond Grant confirmed that the incident involved a single prisoner who became “non-compliant with lawful instructions” issued by prison officers concerning prison discipline and security.
“The incident has now been safely resolved by Prison staff acting in accordance with established operational procedures and contingency arrangements,” Grant stated.
According to prison authorities, the inmate barricaded himself in a section of the institution, preventing officers from safely accessing and securing the area.
Officials stressed that behaviour disrupting the “good order of the prison” or placing the safety of staff and inmates at risk would be dealt with seriously under prison rules and the laws of the Virgin Islands.
During the operation, prison officers reportedly recovered contraband, including an unauthorised cellular device believed to have been used during the incident.
The inmate was subsequently relocated and the matter is now expected to move through internal disciplinary processes, with possible referrals to external law enforcement agencies if criminal offences are identified.
The Prison Service also sought to dismiss claims circulating publicly that the inmate had been denied food or basic care.
“Based on the information available at this time, there is no evidence to support claims that the prisoner was denied food or basic care,” the statement said.
Prison management maintained that officers continuously monitored the inmate throughout the ordeal, with safety, welfare and de-escalation efforts guiding the response.
Grant commended prison officers for what he described as their professionalism, restraint and courage during the incident.
“Their calm and disciplined handling of a difficult situation ensured that the matter was brought to a safe resolution while maintaining the security of the institution,” he stated.
The Prison Service said it remains committed to maintaining security within the prison while safeguarding the welfare of inmates, staff and the wider Virgin Islands community.
Videos circulating online showed the inmate recording portions of the standoff from inside the prison while making complaints about his treatment and conditions at the institution.
However, prison officials say the situation was safely brought under control without posing any threat to the wider public.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Acting Superintendent of His Majesty’s Prison Raymond Grant confirmed that the incident involved a single prisoner who became “non-compliant with lawful instructions” issued by prison officers concerning prison discipline and security.
“The incident has now been safely resolved by Prison staff acting in accordance with established operational procedures and contingency arrangements,” Grant stated.
According to prison authorities, the inmate barricaded himself in a section of the institution, preventing officers from safely accessing and securing the area.
Officials stressed that behaviour disrupting the “good order of the prison” or placing the safety of staff and inmates at risk would be dealt with seriously under prison rules and the laws of the Virgin Islands.
During the operation, prison officers reportedly recovered contraband, including an unauthorised cellular device believed to have been used during the incident.
The inmate was subsequently relocated and the matter is now expected to move through internal disciplinary processes, with possible referrals to external law enforcement agencies if criminal offences are identified.
The Prison Service also sought to dismiss claims circulating publicly that the inmate had been denied food or basic care.
“Based on the information available at this time, there is no evidence to support claims that the prisoner was denied food or basic care,” the statement said.
Prison management maintained that officers continuously monitored the inmate throughout the ordeal, with safety, welfare and de-escalation efforts guiding the response.
Grant commended prison officers for what he described as their professionalism, restraint and courage during the incident.
“Their calm and disciplined handling of a difficult situation ensured that the matter was brought to a safe resolution while maintaining the security of the institution,” he stated.
The Prison Service said it remains committed to maintaining security within the prison while safeguarding the welfare of inmates, staff and the wider Virgin Islands community.
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