BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE police force’s ongoing efforts to eliminate contraband from His Majesty’s Prison have borne fruit with the arrest of Steadroy Jules, a St. Paul’s resident, who was charged on Friday (Jan. 5) for attempting to smuggle illicit items into the facility.
According to police reports, Jules attempted to smuggle cannabis, tobacco, and wrappers into the prison on January 3. He has since been formally charged with three offenses: Conveying Cannabis into His Majesty’s Prison, Conveying Wrappers into His Majesty’s Prison, and Conveying Tobacco into His Majesty’s Prison.
This incident adds to a series of contraband-related breaches at the prison last year. In October, Shajuan Walters of Lodge Village and Ashaki Rogers of Shadwell Estate were charged in connection with an alleged attempt to smuggle contraband into the facility on October 20, 2024. They were formally charged on October 23. Walters faces two charges, while Rogers faces one, according to a police statement.
The presence of contraband at His Majesty's Prison has been a long-standing challenge. Over the years, law enforcement and prison officials have confiscated significant quantities of illegal items, raising questions about how such items are smuggled past security measures.
In July 2024, a joint raid at the prison uncovered a range of contraband, including five cell phones, 19 chargers, three charging heads, an extension cord, 11 cigarette lighters, a razor, a Game Boy, a pair of scissors, screwdrivers, makeshift weapons, cannabis, tobacco, and seven bottles of homemade wine, among other items.
Commenting on the July find, Commissioner of Corrections Franklyn Dorset emphasized the department's dedication to security. “The successful recovery of these contraband items highlights our commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment within His Majesty's Prison.”” Dorset stated.
Even prison staff have been implicated in smuggling attempts. In 2023, Tristan Johnson, a former prison officer from Market Street, was charged for attempting to bring cannabis into the facility.
Similarly, in 2016, authorities implemented a 21-day lockdown after discovering more than 200 contraband items in the prison.
The persistence of such incidents underscores the need for continuous improvements in prison security and vigilance by law enforcement.
