Shake-up coming at immigration centre
(CNS): The chief officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs has indicted that a shake-up is coming at the Immigration Detention Centre in Fairbanks in the wake of news that two more Cuban migrants escaped from the centre early Wednesday morning. CNS is awaiting details from police and immigration about the migrants who are on the run but it is understood they absconded at around 6:20am. Addressing concerns that have been raised about the security company, chief Officer Eric Bush said that the security firm was engaged at a department level but the ministry was planning policy changes.
Bush said changes were coming, which he would soon be able to comment on, but these were at a policy level rather than the selection of vendors and other services, which are operational matters that are dealt with by the enforcement authorities.
Premier Alden McLaughlin, who is also the home affairs minister and responsible for immigration policy, recently pointed out that the ongoing difficulties, near riots and frequent escapes from the Fairbanks Centre are due to frustrations among the migrants over the length of time their repatriation is taking. McLaughlin said that the CIG was in talks with the Cuban authorities to try and improve matters.
Category: Local News
17:14 you are correct. for 4 years they have been escaping under the security guards. Put back Tad Welcome and Derrick Ebanks to run this place. They have people who they can trust to run this detention centre.
Eric Bush are you aware of this.
Let's not overthinkl this folks. A simple policy change needed. If those at the detention center commit a crime (escaping, threatening violence, etc) then they go to Northward. Simple. Moving on…
"Policy changes" do not sound like a shakeup to me. If the policy doesn't already say "don't let them run off and wander around the islands", heaven help us.
The shake up needs to be with policy, not officers themselves. If their hands are tied, what can they do? Through my experiences and exchanges, I find enforcement in particular, to be efficient and intelligent.
Really you think so??? Do you know who the security company is at the detention centre? It must be really bad if eric bush thinks they are incompetant!
Thank God someone is listening. For years it has been talked that the Immigration and the Security company need to come out of the Detention centre. There is much known by the public, but do not want to say.
There has been too much corruption going on. The Refugees talks
We need to put back the retired group of police and prison offcres who worked under Derrick Ebanks and Tad Welcome. These retired officers can do with the few dollars and it seemed that the Cubans got along well with them. Never heard of this kind of probem being given.
Of course there is a shake up with the security company, they charge and arm and a leg, around $9-$12per hr and only pay their staff $4.5prhr. The guards arent going to d anything if the cubans escape except sit and watch, well thats what i would do if paid that much, it is shameful that these securiy companies can abuse their staff like this.
THE GOTV BETTER DEAL WITH IF BEFORE ONE OF THEIR OWN GET HURT OR KILLED!
How about a shake up at IMMIGRATION!!!
It is sick. The department supposed to be protecting Cayman seems to be acting to destroy it, blatantly harming the innocent and protecting the untouchable guilty, with no concern or remorse. They are unconscious or lack conscience, and I do not know which.
Or a Crack Down! I like a good crack down
This is one area where we know Eric will have expertise. As a former police officer, he will know which people to turn to and who to use.
For once a Chief Officer qualified to address the issue! Hurrah.
Now, let him also lend his "enforcement" background to shake up the Immigration Department that is still turning a complete blind eye to any and all qualified Caymanians being passed over for rubber stamp expat WP renewals. Eric, be the "good cop" and give us back our trust in Home Affairs.
To: Thank you Eric
Are you for real? This has been happening under his watch for at least four years, and "NOW" he suddenly has discovered that the people are leaving the compound as they please. You have to be kidding me! I'll bet that the one thing that is sure to happenis: There will be the installation of a few more cameras that will cost Government a thousands of dollars. And the security companywill be smiling all the way to the bank. WOW!
It's really hard to believe that this is the same Island that our great leaders like Mr, Warren, Mr. Creadock, Dr. Roy, Mr. Willie, Mr. Berkley and all those men of vision worked to hard to maintain, and look what we have done to it! They must all be rolling in their graves when they see what is happening their Island today! It's really sad!
Aren't all government contracts to be bidded out? It seems certain security companies are above and beyond…funny they are all government contracts that they are in and who do you think put them there? I think an investigation should be started…CCTV to name one?????? These prisoners have been escaping for over 4 years and nothing absolutely nothing has been done accept for lining the company's pockets!!!! 9.00-12.00? Better look again, 12-15 per hour is more like it….