MEMBER of Parliament George Lightbourne has called Cabinet’s decision to relocate prisoners to the Green Door facility a grave mistake.
In this vein Lightbourne is urging Governor John Freeman to reconsider and rescind and seek an alternative solution.
In a letter to the media on Wednesday, May 3, Lightbourne who is the Member of Parliament for Grand Turk North called Cabinet’s decision an epic demonstration of myopic governance.
He said: “The TCI Cabinet has agreed to turn a high-end residential part of Grand Turk into a prison town.
“To make matters worse they have decided to establish a prison inside the TCI Community College Campus.
“When persons are elected to Government they must always manage the affairs of the people with a 360-degree view and mental balance.
“I understand that many in the current government have never had the fortitude building experiences that would equip them to make logical decisions but as a good citizen and an elected member of the good people, I will lend my expertise and assist with sound reasoning to aid the Government as they clearly need it.
“The Green Door is located on the same property as the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and from this decision, it is apparent that no serious consideration was given to the impact and effect of the college sharing the same property as a jail.
“Recently we have all heard reports of inmates escaping, causing fire and sexually assaulting prison officers, using drugs, illegal cell phones and organising crime right in Grand Turk.
“Do you think it is wise to extend this same prison population to the Community College Campus?
“Can students and staff function in a safe frame of mind knowing that they have to share learning space with persons that the court has ordered to be removed from society because of criminal acts or accusations?”
Lightbourne pointed out that the Ridge is the most upscale area in Grand Turk and the introduction of a prison facility will devalue all property in that area.
He said: “Many persons who may have matured mortgages will now have difficulties with refinancing and cash injections; needless to say, resale of property will be seriously affected.
“When I was minister an attempt was previously made to put a juvenile centre in the same area and residents protested by presenting me with a petition containing over 100 signatures; as a good steward, I abandoned the idea because I respected the views and wishes of the people and served only as their worker.”
He chided the Government for not carrying out any proper consultation in order to hear the views of the residents on the relocation of inmates to a facility on the Ridge.
He further highlighted that hurricane season is less than a month away and the building that was turned into a prison is the only fully functioning hurricane shelter in that area of Grand Turk.
“The Green Door is also located next to the Grand Turk Lighthouse, which is one of our historical sites.
“Has any consideration been given to the impact of such a move on our tourism product at the lighthouse?
“I could go on but it is evident that I have already shone more light on the reality of the situation than the PDM’s entire elected pool of governance.
“I understand the PDM’s spite and resentment for the people of Grand Turk North constituency but I beg you to remember that we are all Turks and Caicos Islanders.
“Mr Governor, your Excellency, President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Cabinet, I am calling on you to allow wisdom to prevail by abandoning this decision and rescinding this Cabinet paper and if you or the Government need my help further I can provide contacts and websites for modular prison facilities that can be located elsewhere and provide safety, security and peace of mind to the good people of Grand Turk.”
Lightbourne further criticised the Government for being out of touch with the people’s opinion on sensitive matters.
