Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Heads of prisons conference to be held in the BVI next week
11-11-2006

ROAD TOWN, BVI: The British Virgin Islands is preparing to host the 20th Heads of Prison Conference next week, which will bring together 40 delegates from nine countries from November 14 to 17.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Julia Christopher, said this conference will serve as a platform to discuss many of the challenging issues that plague prisons today and for participants to share ideas and recommendations.

“We are indeed honoured to host this conference here in the BVI. We welcome the participants from the nine Overseas Territories and we trust that the dialogue that will take place during this week will be productive,” Christopher said.

Superintendent of Prisons Ashford Frett said that this is the last time that this specific conference will be held and noted that the first one was held in 1986 in the BVI. “The format of the conference will change to include other international security organizations such as immigration, customs and police. Since the conference began here in the BVI it is fitting for it to end here and so we are eager to welcome our partners and we look forward to a fruitful and exciting four days,” he said.

Among the persons expected to address the opening ceremony are Governor David Pearey and Chief Minister Dr Orlando Smith.

The participating countries are Bermuda, Jamaica, Anguilla, Montserrat, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Turks and Caicos, and Dominica.