Two prison officers fired from Fairbanks

HM Prison Fairbanks

(CNS): The prison director has confirmed that two officers working at HMP Fairbanks, the women’s facility in George Town, have been fired. The director has not given any explanation for the termination but other unconfirmed sources have indicated the officers were sacked in connection  with the mismanagement of medications given to inmates held at the facility.

Neil Lavis, the prison boss, told CNS, “We have terminated two employees as a result of an investigation at HMP Fairbanks.”

The news comes against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation at HMP Northward, where at least two other employees of the prison service are suspended from duty in connection with unauthorized surveillance of a member of the prison management team. Lavis stated that the probe regarding those allegations was continuing.

“The investigation into the placement of a recording device in the office of a manager at HMP Northward is ongoing and is being conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs,” he said.

Just a few months ago another prison officer was forced to leave the service after his undeclared criminal record was exposed.

Given the ongoing issues at the prison, CNS asked the director was was being done to ensure officers were meeting professional standards. He told us that the prison service takes professional standards very seriously.

“We have a moral code that we expect all staff to adhere to,” Lavis said. “Decency and integrity is at the  heart of that.  We expect that people follow their moral compass and do the right thing.  If people make genuine mistakes, they will be supported. However, if they knowingly break the rules, then they will be investigated and disciplined as necessary,”  he added.