British High Commission sponsors regional training in St. Lucia for Prison Officers

Participants from the regional Prison Training course visit Bordelais Correctional Facility in St Lucia

British High Commission (March 5, 2010) – The British High Commission to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean is sponsoring a regional training and development programme for Superintendents designate and members of senior prison management from Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. The two week course kicked off on Wednesday 24 February at the Auberge Seraphine Hotel, St Lucia with an opening ceremony. Featured speakers were the Minister of Home Affairs and National Security, the Honourable Guy Mayers, Director of Corrections at Bordelais Correctional Facility, Mr Hilary Herman and Resident British Commissioner, Mr Karl Burrows.

The course, entitled Stepping up to Take Command, was the brainchild of the Association of Caribbean Heads of Prisons and Corrections Services. This regional body sought the help of trainers Nick Brooke and Sue Brookes, who bring a wealth of experience in the prison service to the course. They will be focussing on exposing participants to leadership skills, managing change effectively and other related topics. The intensive course also included a visit to Bordelais prison in St Lucia.

Stepping up to Take Command continues the long tradition of UK government support to prison services in the Caribbean, which has included the delivery of mentoring and training to prison officers at all levels. Participants include officers from prison services in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.