Former inmate Ramoamasagana “Masa” Pemberton has described the lone Virgin Islands prison as a place that fails to rehabilitate offenders, instead creating conditions where inmates become “better criminals”.
Speaking at the Anti-Crime Summit, Pemberton recalled his experience in 2016 and 2017, saying there were few proper programmes in place to help inmates.
“When you talk about sufficient programs in place to rehabilitate the minds of a criminal, at that point in time, there was somewhat little to none,” Pemberton stated.
He explained that tensions inside the facility often escalated.
“Even inside of the prison, there was a fight for a meal because you would have a problem with someone. And then I feel as though that the institution couldn’t separate the troublemakers from the people that are just trying to get by the time until that time has expired. So we’ve seen instances where, and again, people have lost their lives inside of the prison,” he said.
Pemberton said he and other inmates tried to create positive initiatives themselves, including sports tournaments and arts projects.
“I was one of those prisoners who went into the prison and made my own programs,” he explained. “We were also positive people inside of the prison, trying to make that change, and with hopes that we would have gotten some sort of support with the movement.”
Despite these efforts, he argued that the environment worked against rehabilitation. “When it comes to the rehabilitation of a criminal, I always used to say, well, geez Louise, this is a breeding ground for better criminals,” Pemberton insisted.
His comments echo long-standing concerns about His Majesty’s Prison at Balsam Ghut, which has faced criticism over security lapses and limited rehabilitation services. In recent years, reports have highlighted issues including overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and the mixing of juvenile offenders with hardened criminals.
Officials also acknowledged that a 13-year-old was being held at the adult prison, sparking debate about the absence of a juvenile detention centre.
Governor Daniel Pruce, speaking at the same summit, said the prison needed further investment and improvements. He noted that while progress had been made, challenges remained with facilities and resources, especially for housing young offenders in line with international standards.
Pemberton stressed that change must come from within the system. He said the most influential mentors he encountered were not officials but older prisoners serving life sentences who had decided to steer younger inmates away from repeating their mistakes.
The summit continues today, bringing together government leaders, law enforcement, and community members to discuss crime prevention and rehabilitation in the territory.
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