The Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility was put on lockdown Monday due to what officials called "a coordinated sickout by custody staff and corrections officers," Government House announced.
Acting Director of the V.I. Bureau of Corrections Basil Richards said the bureau is responding appropriately, utilizing supervisory staff and personnel from other districts and with assistance from the Virgin Islands Police Department.
The facility will remain on lockdown until further notice, according to Richards.
“All offenders will be on full cell restriction, which means that activity and movement within the facility has been suspended, to include all work detail/work release as well as programs and visitations during the period,” Richards said.
The acting director said lockdown is a proactive and necessary action to safeguard both the prison population and BOC personnel. He added the facility is operating within all security guidelines and protocols.
Richards said he did not understand the cause of the employee work action.
“I am not sure what caused such an action by the personnel that could not be handled through a contact with supervisory personnel, especially given the critical nature of our job and the issues of safety to prison personnel, inmates and general public. We put in place measures to mitigate any negative impact and I am confident that this matter will be resolved in a short period,” Richards said.
Both Gov. John deJongh Jr., Corrections Director Julius Wilson and Attorney General Vincent Frazer were advised of the action and are lending support to assist the bureau toward regaining normal operations, according to Government House.
