Construction at the Lusignan Prison, which includes new holding facilities, are ongoing with the majority of the works on schedule.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Mae Thomas was given a walkthrough of the site on Monday during a visit as part of her ongoing inspection of capital projects.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lots 1 to 3 are currently under reconstruction.
While lots 1 and 3 are at “practical” completion, the ministry said works are still ongoing in lot 2.
The statement added that Thomas also examined the construction of cell blocks 4 to 6.
“Lot 6 is ahead of schedule but lots 4 and 5 are awaiting the arrival of steel cells from North America,” the Ministry said.
Other works that are ongoing at the Lusignan Prison include the construction of a vocational school for inmates. This structure will accommodate training which will aid in the decrease of recidivism and further promote the Fresh Start initiative.
According to the Ministry, the Voca-tional School is about 75% completed.
An Infirmary Annex is also being built. The Ministry said it is at “practical” completion.
However, it noted that the construction of the Senior Officer’s Living Quarters is a month behind schedule.
As a result, the statement said that the contractor received a stern warning from the Permanent Secretary to accelerate the works.
Meanwhile, works at the female prison are 30% completed as contractors are awaiting shipment of steel cells from North America.
Projects Inspections allows Ministry to survey the ongoing works being done.
Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn had previously stated that the new holding facilities are expected to resolve all of the existing security concerns at the Lusignan Prison, which has recorded a high number of escapes in recent years.
They are also expected to address the longstanding issue of overcrowding at the prison.
