New governor taken to Northward Prison

(CNS): Continuing on his mission to get to know the local community and government services, in particular his areas of responsibility, the new governor, Duncan Taylor, got his first glimpse of the problems and issues at Northward men’s prison last Thursday. Just days before inmate Randy Martin was found guilty of murdering 21-year-old Sabrina Schirn while working at the prison farm, Taylor was shown the farming that is now taking place actually in the prison wall since Wilderness, the East End facility, was closed. Greeted by Director Dwight Scott, the governor received an overview of prison services and inspected a display illustrating different aspects of prison life.

Taylor had a full tour of the facility, including cell blocks, the chapel, the holding area, the computer training room, the psychology unit, the visitor’s area and the gym. He was also shown the woodwork service, and the literacy and psychology programmes.

Despite Cayman’s exceptionally high recidivism and illiteracy rates, according to a GIS release, Taylor said he was impressed by the rehabilitative initiatives he saw at the prison. “I am a firm believer in rehabilitation; the more exposure inmates have to education and training programmes, the greater their chances of getting on a better life path,” he said. “It was also very important for me to gain an idea of operations here as this is one of my key areas of responsibility. This was an introductory visit and obviously I will back in future for more detailed visits and discussions.” 

HMP Northward falls under the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs, for which the governor has direct responsibility.  Following the prison visit, Taylor was met by his wife, Marie-Beatrice, and son, Max, who accompanied him on a tour of the Bodden Town district.

The governor’s next public appearance will be at a reception in West Bay, where Premier McKeeva Bush is inviting all West Bay residents to welcome him on Wednesday, 27 January, at Boatswain’s Beach at 5:00pm.