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Golden Grove Calm After Small Insurrection

Oct. 6, 2004 – The Golden Grove Correctional facility has had its share of problems in the last few months, but on Wednesday problems escalated to a "standoff" between guards and prisoners. Tensions crested over the removal of "privileged items" such as microwave ovens and cell phones. Negotiations between prison officials and inmates brought calm to the situation several hours later.
In a telephone interview to the Source Wednesday evening, Cornelius Evans, deputy attorney general, said the troubles stemmed from "a change of policy," and "the inmates believed they were not notified sufficiently in advance." Evans said inmates barricaded themselves in dorms C and D until negotiations with Alcedos Lettsom, acting territorial warden, and Gregory Francis, St. Croix administrator, quelled the situation.
Evans said the administration developed a rapport with inmates. "Their concerns were heard and discussed."
Afterwards the inmates removed the barricades, according to Evans. Although there was a "delay in meals and showers," Evans said the institution is secure and there is no threat to the public. Evans quashed rumors of the involvement of guns, knives, hostages or fires. "There was none of that; the National Guard was not called out," Evans said.
Listeners of a radio talk show on Wednesday afternoon got a rare look inside the prison when an inmate — on his personal cell phone — called during the unrest.
"We had to act up, we had no choice," said the inmate, who declined to identify himself.
The inmate, who is assigned to cellblock C, complained about conditions in the minimum-security jail, saying programs and activities have been cancelled leading to the dissatisfaction of the inmates. Among the grievances were: termination of weekend visits and recreation time, care packages allowed only once a month, no educational programs, cancellation of parole board meetings, structural problems leading to flooding when it rains, not being paid for their work, inadequate medical care and poor quality of food.
The prisoner said guards attempted to remove the microwave from the cellblock and threatened to remove the television sets within 48 hours.
"We told him he is not taking anything out of here. The inmates are standing up for their rights," the caller said. "We are starving and suffering here." He added he was not aware of problems occurring in other parts of the jail but said, "I guess they are acting up too." There are 48 inmates assigned to cellblock C, according to the inmate.
The minimum-security jail has been on lockdown for the past two weeks. Prison officials have not publicly explained the reason for the lockdown. Last week a prisoner assigned to a work release program at police headquarters was arrested in a sting operation and charged with the theft of several bulletproof vests.
Four prisoners have escaped from the facility in the past five months. Three were recaptured almost immediately, but one escapee, Manuel Melendez, remained free for three months before being apprehended.
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