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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesJails Locked Down as Prisoner Transfer Commences

Jails Locked Down as Prisoner Transfer Commences

Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility.The Bureau of Corrections unexpectedly transferred 78 prisoners to stateside facilities Tuesday morning and more transfers may be in the works.

In a prepared statement, the bureau attributed the action primarily to an attempt to alleviate overcrowding in V.I. jails and detention centers, although it also cited “behavioral and managerial concerns.”

The bureau issued a press release at midday Tuesday, saying all corrections facilities in the territory are on lockdown to facilitate the transfers. It did not say how long the situation will continue.

Last week, the bureau reported progress on meeting criteria stipulated in an agreement with the federal government to correct deficiencies at the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix.

“In seeking to further comply with the settlement agreement by increasing the officer to inmate ratio, we must transfer inmates to the continental United States,” BOC Director Julius C. Wilson said in the release. “Our staffing numbers are too low for the current inmate population, which poses a potential security and safety issue for inmates and personnel.”

The release said some St. Thomas inmates are also being transferred “as a result of behavioral and management concerns.” St. Thomas houses primarily short-term inmates as well as detainees awaiting trial or sentencing. Detainees are not transferred, said Juel Anderson, the bureau’s public information officer.

Anderson said before the transfer there were 210 sentenced prisoners and 136 detainees at Golden Grove, including three sentenced inmates who were just transferred to the facility from St. Thomas Friday. The St. Thomas inmates were included in the 78 prisoners who were flown out of the territory Tuesday morning.

The transfers brought the prisoner-to-staff ratio at Golden Grove to the range of about 32 to 1, Anderson said. However, she could not say how close that equation is to the ratio stipulated in the agreement.

It’s not only security that is of concern in keeping down the number of prisoners, she said. High numbers of inmates also strain the services available to them, including medical, mental and dental health care, fire safety and sanitation.

“All of these things are impacted when we have high numbers,” she said.

Anderson said she did not know whether more transfers are expected soon, but she indicated that the lockdown will continue for a few days.

“Hopefully by the end of this week, it should be lifted,” she said.

Typically, the bureau does not announce prison transfers before they happen.

“We realize that family members are concerned and alarmed, however our security staff were diligent in application of the criteria which led to the selections,” Wilson said in the written statement. Inmates to be transferred are selected by “the time left on sentence, conduct, and general management.”

The release stated, “Further details of the transfer cannot be revealed at this time; however, inmates’ relatives will receive notification and contact information following the arrival, processing and placement of those transferred.”

The lockdown cancels all scheduled programs, visitation and activities at the facilities, according to the release.

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