Antigua and Barbuda’s sole correctional facility has announced a recruitment campaign seeking 40 new officers as part of its ongoing transformation from a traditional prison to a modern rehabilitation-focused institution.
During an interview on Observer AM, Junior Officer Royston Adams, who has served 19 years in the prison service and will be training the new recruits, disclosed that the facility is specifically seeking 95% males and 5% females, reflecting the current inmate population which is 98% male.
The recruitment drive comes as the institution prepares for a rebranding, changing its name from ‘His Majesty’s Prison’ to the ‘Antigua and Barbuda Department of Corrections,’ with staff soon to be known as correctional officers rather than prison officers.
Helene De Silva, the first female Assistant Chief in Antigua and Barbuda, emphasized the law enforcement aspect of the role while highlighting its rehabilitation dimension.
“Prison officers are law enforcement officers. We enforce the laws in the prison,” De Silva stated.
“Prisoners are sent to the prison as a form of punishment, not for punishment. We not only enforce laws, we also help in rehabilitation,” she asserted.
After 25 years of service as a female officer, De Silva acknowledged the challenges but emphasized that dedication and understanding one’s role are key to success in the profession.
The prison currently operates with 70-75 officers managing around 255 inmates, creating challenges for implementing comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
Rehabilitation Officer Akeema James, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in criminology, explained the facility’s evolving philosophy.
“We need to step away from the primitive mindset of what a prison should be,” James said. “If we do the same thing and expect different results, it’s the basic definition of insanity. So now we are more of a correctional facility,” she said.
James outlined the prison’s comprehensive rehabilitation strategy built on four foundations: academic, vocational, spiritual, and counselling. The academic program aims to enhance literacy levels and implement a system mirroring the national education curriculum, while vocational training recognizes that “everyone is not academically inclined and some persons are good with their hands.”
The institution is currently collaborating with external partners, including the Gard Centre and the Lifelong Learning Unit at University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus. It is also holding discussions with the Ministry of Education to potentially have teachers assigned to help inmates prepare for CXC math and English examinations by next year. Spiritual support includes regular visits from Seventh Day Adventist groups.
James also shared that 10 inmates were recently baptized.
Principal Officer Lyndon Russell, with 27 years’ experience, described the profound satisfaction of seeing former inmates succeed.
“One of the greatest things as a prison officer is when you’re on the street and an ex-inmate walks up to you and says, ‘Mr. Russell, I really want to thank you … I’m a better person all because you sat me down and put me on the right path to society’; that brings fulfillment,” he said.
Russell emphasized that successful officers need “the right attitude” and strong communication skills, noting that “sometimes the inmates just want you to hear them out”.
The officials highlighted the connection between effective corrections and national prosperity, particularly for Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism-dependent economy, saying “our main industry is tourism. Look at other countries. their tourism cannot flourish because crime there is so high that tourists don’t want to go there for vacation. We don’t have that here in Antigua, and we want to maintain it.”
The recruitment effort seeks diverse skill sets, with officials stating: “If you’re out there and you have background in IT, we need you; you have mechanical skills, we need you; skills in building infrastructures, whether carpenters, masons, we need you as officers to get the work going. Even a nurse who wants to be a prison officer can also apply.”
The position offers a starting salary of $3,000 plus benefits including health insurance, secure pension, and opportunities for career advancement and training.
Applicants need a police record, resume, and at least three CXC subjects including English. Selected candidates will undergo a 10-week training program, with no prior experience required, though background checks will be conducted. Physical and medical assessments will also be performed.
Interested individuals can submit applications directly to the prison, with additional information available by calling 462-1300 or 462-0503.
