Exclusive: Russ Ford retires from prison service after exceptional contribution

After more than 22 years of looking after Bermuda’s prison population, Russ Ford has called time on his nursing career.

His role with Corrections began on November 1, 1991 when he became the only male nurse working in the old Casemates jail.

Over the next two decades he was promoted to the role of Senior Nursing Officer and helped revolutionize correctional healthcare. Under his watch, a raft of ground-breaking initiatives, including smoking bans in all Bermuda correctional facilities and the introduction of suicide prevention gear were implemented.

Mr Ford left his post at the end of last month, but he is already using his expertise to help fine tune and establish additional framework for the new Mental Health Court that opened at the end of last year.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “I started off in Casemates working under very dated conditions in a dilapidated facility. It was quite challenging. However, the level of discipline was much better then than compared to today in the prison.

“The prison population tended to be older, too, and the older guys respected the officers much more.

“Today there are more younger prisoners, and a lot of the young guys have been involved in this gang activity.”

Mr Ford added: “I was the first nurse to move from Casemates to Westgate in 1993 to open up the new health facility, when all 100 inmates had to be moved in a day.

“It was a busy weekend, but everything went smoothly. There were no escapes and it all went according to plan.”

Mr Ford was promoted to Senior Nursing Officer in 2004, and for the last decade has been based in Westgate.

His day-to-day work has involved looking after the health of inmates at all three facilities including Co-Ed and The Farm in St George’s.

But he has spearheaded a series of changes to the way health services are provided within the prison system that have helped save lives as well as millions of dollars.

During his tenure there have been decreased admissions to the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute and reduced suicide threats and attempts by 75 per cent. 

A no-smoking policy has meant emergency room admissions for asthma have decreased from 30 to less than five a year.

He said: “People said there would be riots when we looked at bringing in the smoking bans, but nothing like that happened and there have been significant health implications, too. There have been a number of changes I am proud of during my time with Corrections.

“We extended inmate co pays to include dental, optical and podiatry treatments. We were the first prison outside the US to introduce dental floss loops in 2004, rather than traditional dental floss that had been used in other prisons to saw through bars.

“We have also increased the number of outside service providers like dental surgeons, nutritionists and pharmacists coming into the prison rather than sending inmates out.

“This has reduced costs and eliminated prisoner escape attempts.”

Bermuda was also the first country outside the US to introduce suicide prevention gear including smocks, sleeping bags, mattresses and bed pads under Mr Ford’s leadership.

Mr Ford reflected: “I had very mixed feelings on my last day. I was happy I had reached retirement age, but sad to leave my nursing staff as well as the officers I have grown close to.

“And then there are the inmates; several came to say goodbye to me and say thanks.

“That was really amazing, because you never really know how much you are appreciated until you leave somewhere.” 

‘A man of impeccable integrity’

Commissioner of Corrections Colonel Eddie Lamb has paid tribute to Russ Ford’s contribution to the department.

Mr Ford, who worked as a Corrections Nurse for more than 22 years, retired at the end of last month.

Colonel Lamb told the Bermuda Sun: “It would be very difficult to put into words the amazing contribution that Mr Ford has made to the Department of Corrections over the last two decades.

“His service to this Department during his tenure with us has been nothing short of exceptional.

“In his role as Senior Nursing Officer, Mr Ford led a team of highly motivated and able nurses and under his leadership, they have established a Health Services Unit of world-class calibre.”

Mr Ford first started work for the prison service at Casemates on November 1, 1991 as a specialist nurse.

In 2004 he was promoted to the role of Senior Nursing Officer where he was responsible for inmate health care for five facilities, 350 inmates and five staff nurses. 

The Commissioner of Corrections added: “As a testament to his dedication and vision, Mr Ford implemented many beneficial programmes and cost-cutting measures during his time as Senior Nursing Officer.

“Mr Ford is a man of impeccable integrity and character and I have benefited immensely from his loyalty and support over the years.

“I, along with the entire Department of Corrections, am indebted to him for his tireless efforts to reach and maintain the highest standards of professionalism and commitment during his time with us.

“Wherever his journey takes him, I am certain that he will continue to serve his community with the same vigour, dedication and honour that he has demonstrated while with the Department of Corrections.”