B.V.I. Monday, April 27 – The National Security Council (NSC) has fulfilled its two-week old undertaking to implement corrective measures at Her Majesty’s Prison at Balsam Ghut with the appointment of a three-member committee to review the state of affairs at the facility.

The Prison Review Committee comprises Mr. Lewis Hunte, QC as chairman, Dr. Sylvia Simmons and Ms. Heather Cuff and it is expected to submit a report to the NSC by mid-June 2009.

The appointment of the committee is in response to the NSC’s concerns about conditions at the prison and the possible threat to national security. The concerns were expressed following a specially convened meeting on April 7, after which the NSC announced its intention to implement corrective measures to address the situation at the prison in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture’s prison reform programme.

According to the terms of reference established for the committee, “the report should address the general conditions in the prison and highlight the overarching problems that have contributed to the current state of affairs and that call for correction.”

In the preparation of its report, the committee is also expected to consult the key stakeholders including chairman of the Branch Committee and the prison consultant.

The National Security Council further stated in the committee’s terms of reference that “the report’s recommendations should seek to restore a secure and well ordered prison.”

It is the intention of the NSC “to give urgent consideration to the issues raised in the Review Committee’s report.”

The council is assuring residents of the Territory that Government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that the existing environment at Her Majesty’s Prison is suitable for the staff of the facility as well as conform to international conventions on the treatment of prisoners.

In accordance with section 57 (3) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, the National Security Council advises the Governor on matters relating to internal security. The NSC is comprised of the Governor as Chairman, the Premier, Deputy Premier, Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police.  The Cabinet Secretary serves as secretary to the NSC.