ABRCS and His Majesty’s Prison collaborate
By Aabigayle McIntosh
The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society has concluded talks with the Administration of His Majesty’s Prison which culminated with an agreed partnership towards improving the efficiency and operations of the prison and reduce recidivism.
The talks came after President of the ABRCS, Dr. Jose Humphreys responded to a number of appeals from the prison administration met with the Superintendent, Lieutenant Colonel Pennyfeather, Principal Officer, Lyndon Russell and Assistance Chief Officer, Lenroy John to address potent concerns and determine ways in which the local Red Cross could assist the prison within its mandate as an auxiliary to public authority.
Their discussions surrounded potential partnerships geared towards improving the standards at His Majesty’s Prison, inter alia, training in basic first aid, CPR and AED, psychosocial support and psychological first for both staff and inmates of His Majesty’s Prison.
Superintendent Lieutenant Colonel Pennyfeather & President of the ABRCS, Dr. Jose Humphreys
It also centered around, training in disaster response for staff to improve the efficient, response to disaster and crisis, rehabilitation for inmates and other collaborative discussion geared towards improving the health and safety and operation of the country’s sole Penitentiary.
Training in disaster response and basic first aid will commence shortly.
The Prison boss, Lieutenant Colonel Pennyfeather expressed his deep appreciation to the President and the ABRCS for the assistance offered towards improving the standards of the prison and towards human development.
At the end of the meeting, the ABRC donated over 50 blankets to improve the sleeping conditions of the prisoners.
This a good initiative by both bodies. But I think the government need to also look at the causes of overcrowding at the prison too as well as the conditions that prisons are living under, and the prison officers have to deal with.