Prison Officers Protest Outside the Prison Walls
The government has promised prison officers, who protested on Monday, that their long-overdue payments will be made by February 17th. National Security Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin intervened during the protest to deliver this assurance.
Junior prison officers gathered outside His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) to voice their grievances, primarily concerning overdue payments and staffing issues.
The officers expressed their frustration with the repeated empty promises regarding their salary increments, with the latest deadline set for November 1, 2024.
This situation arises from a Cabinet decision that approved a $400 monthly salary increase for junior officers, effective November 1, 2024.
However, Superintendent of Prisons Trevor Pennyfeather raised concerns that this increase would bring junior officers within $100 of senior officers’ salaries, calling this situation “untenable.” He recommended a broader salary adjustment that is estimated to cost less than $10,000 in total.
The junior staff emphasized the excessive workload they face. While senior officers often avoid working during public holidays or long shifts, junior officers are under immense pressure, sometimes required to work back-to-back shifts without adequate rest.
They are tasked with supervising as many as 250 inmates with just two officers on duty.
Pennyfeather mentioned to Antigua.news that he is pleased the junior staff have returned to work and are now awaiting the promised payments.
Why is it that with this government you always have to beg them for what is already yours and even then they cut style to give you?… but hey, you can’t owe dem no, you crazy?