Prison Officer Hugh James Sentenced for Drug Smuggling

The tables have turned for a prison officer who spent over 12 years guarding the Majesty’s Prison. Now it’s his turn to be guarded.

Hugh James, a former prison officer, has been sentenced to two months behind bars after being caught smuggling drugs into His Majesty’s Prison. The drugs were allegedly found hidden between his private parts.

James admitted to the crime in court on Monday, which led to the decision.

Despite the severity of the offense, the court considered James lack of prior convictions and his willingness to plead guilty as mitigating factors.

As a result, his sentence was not as harsh as it could have been.

James’s case highlights the consequences of breaking the law, even for those who are sworn to uphold it.

“He is now an inmate at the prison. Unfortunately, so and these things will continue to happen until individuals change their mindset,” said Colonel Trevor Pennyfeather, the head of the prison

Pennyfeather said James was caught with the drugs recently when the gate guard smelled the drugs as he entered the prison gate

“He was entering the facility, and the guard at the gate took a stench of the drugs, which led to him being searched,” Pennyfeather explained

“Inmates are going to continue to seek to try to get to officers to get favors done. In my mind, I have many good officers here, and many have been faithful and have their integrity intact. But there are others who, through friendships and financial arrangements, would get involved in that sort of thing,” he said

He said the situation is not unique to prisons in Antigua and Barbuda; it is prevalent in other jurisdictions.

Pennyfeather declined to provide any opinion on the length of the sentence that was given.

In addition, he is now faced with the challenge of finding a new source of employment, as his previous job has been automatically terminated.