The Ministry of Health and Social Development recently organized a comprehensive training session for members of the Prison Visiting Committee to strengthen their capabilities and ensure the protection of inmates at His Majesty’s Prison.
Facilitated by the Department of Human Resources and the Attorney General’s Chambers, the training session included a detailed presentation by Crown Counsel Miss Ann-Marie A. Coombs. Coombs outlined the committee’s duties in relation to the Prison Act 1998, the Prison Rules 1999, and the Prison Ordinance 2000, ensuring members were well-versed in the legal framework governing their responsibilities.
Ms Kaisa Penn, Deputy Director for the Department of Human Resources, addressed the committee, offering insights into their human resources-related duties. She acknowledged the unique staffing challenges faced by His Majesty’s Prison and emphasized the crucial role the Prison Visiting Committee plays in overseeing human resources matters.
Ms Tasha Bertie, the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, underscored the importance of continuous learning for committee members.
In her remarks during the training session, she noted that an essential part of any committee member’s service is increasing their knowledge based on the government structure and procedures that are expected to guide their operation and assist in the overall delivery of their mandate.
She said, “As a ministry, we are expecting to use different mediums to ensure that we provide the requisite information and guidance that will support our committee’s ability to deliver their mandate in a conducive, transparent and efficient way.”
The ministry expressed its commitment to utilizing various mediums to provide necessary information and guidance to support the committee in delivering its mandate efficiently, transparently, and in a conducive manner, she added.
The Prison Visiting Committee holds the responsibility of conducting regular visits to the prison, providing hearing sessions for prisoner complaints, and inspecting the quality of prison accommodation, food, facilities, and services. Additionally, committee members are tasked with monitoring the treatment of prisoners by staff, with the authority to address any matters believed to infringe on inmates’ rights.
Committee members are obligated to report urgent matters directly to the governor through appropriate channels and are encouraged to make recommendations to the superintendent of prisons regarding any investigations presented.