The leadership of His Majesty’s Prison is set for a change, with Jermaine Anthony reportedly poised to return as acting superintendent as Colonel Trevor Pennyfeather prepares to leave the post.

Pennyfeather has confirmed that his contract expires on October 7 and that he has already proceeded on pre-retirement leave, bringing his tenure at the prison closer to an end.

Anthony’s appointment is understood to be temporary, and Pennyfeather has stressed that the two developments are not connected.

Pennyfeather assumed leadership of the prison in February 2023 after being brought over from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, where he had served as a career army officer for more than 35 years.

At the beginning of his tenure, Pennyfeather presented an ambitious vision for the institution, promising to reorganise and restructure the prison and make rehabilitation a central part of its operations. He told staff that he wanted the facility to become an example for prisons across the region.

His time at the helm has nevertheless been accompanied by a number of challenges, including concerns about conditions at the facility, the discovery of contraband and protests by prison officers over working conditions.

The prison has also recorded inmate deaths during Pennyfeather’s tenure. The death of Rashawn Shabazz following a prison extraction in July sparked renewed public scrutiny and calls for Pennyfeather to step down.

For Anthony, the reported appointment would mark a return to a position he has previously held.

He served as acting superintendent during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking over from Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Philip. At the time, Anthony was responsible for measures aimed at protecting prisoners from the health threat posed by the pandemic while also maintaining security at the facility.

His previous stint in the role also saw him dealing with several security breaches at the prison that became matters of public attention.

Anthony’s temporary return comes as the prison prepares for a change in leadership and as authorities face the task of determining the institution’s longer-term direction following Pennyfeather’s departure.