Exclusive: UK jails for dangerous criminals?

Prisoners could be sent from Bermuda to Britain after talks between the two countries, the Bermuda Sun can reveal.

Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley confirmed that Government had recently explored the possibility of sending dangerous offenders to prisons in the UK.

And Government House told us yesterday that prison authorities in the UK are willing to assist if Bermuda needs help accommodating prisoners.

Mr Dunkley revealed that he has been in discussions with Government House about working with the UK to house inmates that pose the greatest threat. The procedure would pose challenges, Mr Dunkley
acknowledged, adding: “There is always the opportunity to review and improve the way we work.

“As far as sending prisoners overseas we have discussed this with Government House to see if there is the opportunity for that in the UK.

“It might be appropriate if we are very concerned about an individual inmate and the threat they pose in our prison system.

“And it might be appropriate to work with the UK and ship that inmate overseas.

“But it presents certain challenges as well and it is not as easy as just saying let’s get it done.”

Meanwhile a Government House spokesman explained that transfers could not be made for administrative convenience or as a form of punishment.

But the UK Government would be willing to help if certain criteria was met.

The spokesman said: “There have been discussions with the prison authorities in the UK on this issue.

Background factors

“In principle they are willing to help if Bermuda, or any other Overseas Territory, seeks assistance with accommodating prisoners. There are background factors which would need to be taken into account, including balancing various obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

“Transfers cannot be made either for administrative convenience or as a form of punishment.

“But there are circumstances in which they would be justified and appropriate and the UK Government has made clear that it would help when these factors apply. “

Mr Dunkley added: “There are a number of considerations surrounding an inmate serving a sentence outside of Bermuda.

“At this stage it would be premature to indicate those issues as they are subjective and depend upon the severity of the crime committed, the length of the sentence and the individual circumstances of any inmate to whom this might apply.”