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By Latrishka Thomas
His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) welcomed 42 new correctional officers Monday in its first graduation ceremony in eight years.
The graduates — 22 men and 20 women — completed nine weeks of training and will report to work today to begin their duties.
The ceremony which took place at the Multipurpose Cultural Centre in Perry Bay was the first held since 2016.
The training covered an extensive curriculum including the laws of Antigua and Barbuda, organizational structure and chain of command, court procedures, and duties and responsibilities of prison officers. The recruits also received instruction in conflict resolution, weapons training and live fire, use of force policies, search procedures and techniques, riot drills and crowd control, control and restraint tactics, first responders training, stress management, physical education and self-defence, firefighting and fire prevention, statement and report writing, radio communication, industrial relations, prison operations, customer service skills, ethics, health and wellness, human rights in prison management, rehabilitation and mental health, government policies, and prison challenges and mitigations.
Speaking during the ceremony, Minister of Public Safety Sir Steadroy Benjamin expressed confidence in the new officers. “I am satisfied to the extent that I feel sure that the security of the prisoners, the security of persons in prison and the security of the state will be well protected,” he said.
Prison Superintendent Lieutenant Colonel Trevor Pennyfeather told Observer that “the injection of these officers would significantly improve not only the issues of welfare among the existing staff, but certainly that of security and safety, and even indeed extending into the second mission of the prison, which is rehabilitation and the ability to bring inmates to that point where they can be reintegrated into society.”
Pennyfeather identified three main challenges facing the prison: deteriorating infrastructure, outdated legislation, and human resource shortages. He said major infrastructure investments are expected in 2026-2027, while legislative reforms—including renaming the facility as the Department of Corrections—are being processed through the Attorney General’s Office and should be completed by December 31, 2025.
Despite the graduation, the prison remains short just under 30 officers. The Attorney General has pledged to begin recruiting and training another batch of officers in 2026, likely starting toward the end of the first quarter or into the second quarter.
The recruitment drive for this cohort began in February 2025. The recruitment team specifically indicated they were seeking to achieve a 95 percent male and 5 percent female staff ratio, reflecting the current inmate population which is 98 percent male.
Meanwhile, the prison is still accepting applications for future cohorts. Interested candidates can submit documents directly to HMP or call 462-1300 for more information.
The position offers a starting salary of $3,000 monthly plus health insurance, a secure pension, and opportunities for professional development and career advancement. Applicants need at least three CXC subjects including English, and must submit a police record and resumé. Previous corrections experience is not required.
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