Power outage at prison impacts inmates and security
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Government has finally confirmed that HMP Northward lost power on Sunday. While officials have remained extremely tight-lipped about the consequences, CNS understands there have been significant security concerns. Power was lost as the Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC) was conducting routine maintenance.
A short press statement said that Prison Director Daniel Greaves “relied on a contingency plan, activating a coordinated multi-agency response to ensure minimal disruption”. However, they have not said if the facility has a backup generator.
The release said that with “tremendous support” from the RCIPS and the Cayman Islands Regiment, HM Cayman Islands Prison Service would “continue to manage this situation and ensure the safety and security of both staff and prisoners. We will also continue to work with the electrical company to ensure that power is fully restored to the facility as quickly and as safely as possible.”
No other details have been rleased about the situation.
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No backup generator kicked in, massive power surge frying several electrical systems and no flashlights or other forms of lighting for the interior spaces. A real world ‘disaster recovery’ test which shows ‘F’ for fail.
Once again CIG PR leaving us with more questions than answers. If they were just transparent & forthcoming it would reduce half of the angst people have over CIG.
The prison has a back up generator. The only way that power would be completely lost would be if that had not switched on.
It’s a non-story.
We would all hope that HMP Northward has a backup power source to retain the prisoner population, yet it sounds from the release that they lost all power and that loss of power created a notable security threat that should have been engineered out of the realm of possibilities by previous Prison Directors.
Not sure what Prison Directors could do about this event in all honesty. Such is the frailty of the infrastructure at one of the most important facilities on island. I am sure that the generators would have worked if it had not been for the power surge that I understand was caused by CUC engineers.
My understanding is that the generators at Northward are almost brand new and that the prison has all the safety equipment needed to operate during power outages. I was also told that the RCIPS and the Regiment only had a support role and most likely outside the prison to maintain security of the perimeter walls.
Perhaps a more comprehensive statement from the Ministry and Director would clarify what happened and how effective the response was.
The Regiment is now being used to control prisoners? Since when is tht in their terms of service?
It’s not in their remit and they don’t have any role in managing prisoners. Where do people hear this stuff?
Not in their remit alright, but according to the official press release “with tremendous support from the Royal Cayman Island Police Service and the Cayman Islands Regiment, HMCIPS will continue to manage this situation and ensure the safety and security of both staff and prisoners”.
I read that too. I think the additional support is normal in circumstances like this. Police and the Regiment would probably be deployed outside the prison and only used inside if there was a significant incident that the prison service could not manage on its own.
The Regiment has a security function according to the Defence Law 2020.
So CUC fried the cables I hear? This has to be negligent surely. I hear power was restored hours later via the generators but CUC must have this top priority it’s a prison not another messed up job guys ok?
You are correct, CUC need to get it together. A Prison with a back up generator that has been disabled enough not to kick in immediately, presents a risk to community safety and national security.