His Excellency the Governor Mr. Duncan Taylor, CBE visited Northward Prison yesterday (Thursday, 21 January), his first glimpse of operations there.
Upon arrival he was greeted by Director Dwight Scott; Deputy Director Daniel Greaves, and Finance and Administration Manager Trudy Goodband.
He received an overview of prison services and inspected a display illustrating different aspects of the whole. Staff shared information on the farming of prison property; the woodwork service, and the literacy and psychology programmes.
Prison officers then escorted Governor Taylor on a tour of the facility. He visited cell blocks; the chapel where he was treated to a musical performance by inmates; the holding area; computer training room; the psychology unit, the visitor’s area and the gym.
Mr. Taylor noted that he was impressed by the rehabilitative initiatives he saw in place.“I am a firm believer in rehabilitation; the more exposure inmates have to education and training programmes, the greater their chances of getting on a better life path,” he said.
“It was also very important for me to gain an idea of operations here as this is one of my key areas of responsibility. This was an introductory visit and obviously I will back in future for more detailed visits and discussions,” Mr. Taylor added.
H.M. Northward Prison falls under the Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs for which the Governor has direct responsibility. Following the prison visit the Governor was met by his wife Marie-Beatrice and son Max who accompanied him on a tour of the Bodden Town district.
