Life inside: A murderer tends to his flowerbed

The Westgate outer perimeter is bathed in sunshine as the sliding metal-link fence judders shut.

One inmate in prison fatigues is busy mowing the lawns, while another is stood proudly beside a newly-planted flowerbed in deep discussion with commissioner Eddie Lamb.

The man behind the mower is Glenn Brangman; the former Bermuda Regiment officer jailed for three years for a series of sex attacks on a teenage clerk.

While the man in conversation with the prison chief is Antoine Anderson — jailed for life for the 2007 murder of Aquil Richardson.

Anderson is talking about plants and telling the Commissioner his views on how the front perimeter could be yet further improved.

The two prisoners are on ‘outside duty’; a privilege extended to well-behaved inmates.

And Anderson is keen to talk about the violets he has just planted and waters each one individually with surprising care.

“It’s been a lot of work,” he says.

“We started working this area just before New Year.

“But it’s already looking really good, and there’s plenty more we can do.”

The prison’s security checkpoint is manned by two corrections officers.

Mobile phones must remain in lockers and bags are searched before Colonel Lamb ushers us through to the visitors’ room.

Waiting are eight members of the prison Lifeline group, all serving life sentences for heinous crimes that have appeared at the top of the news as well as newspaper front pages on more than one occasion.

The men are sat down on plastic chairs in beige prison fatigues sporting pristine white sneakers.

One inmate even has a cap with the logo ‘Lifeline’ on it. He’s taking the minutes of the meeting.

The group’s chairperson, Kenneth Burgess, clutches a folder with some written notes, while a couple of others pull up seats so we can join them.

The meeting begins with the Lord’s Prayer before Burgess, who is serving life for the murder of the Cooper twins in 2005, sets out what the group is all about.

It’s a well-thought-out and balanced presentation that focuses on the group’s charity work.

He stresses members want to make a positive contribution to life inside Westgate as well as the larger community outside.

Each member then takes it in turn to explain what this group means to them and what goals they have set themselves.

Some of the inmates keep it brief, while others speak eloquently and at length about their hopes for the future and regrets of the past.

Most of the responses are insightful and appear genuine, and they show a degree of self-awareness that would surprise even those who would have little or no time for these individuals.

After an hour, Colonel Lamb brings the meeting to a close.

He tells the inmates he is proud of them and they thank him for supporting their group and its endeavours.

Anderson is still sweeping the paths around his newly watered flowerbed as we make for the exit.

And as the prison gates slam shut again the convicted killer is back engrossed in another conversation with Colonel Lamb about
horticulture and landscaping possibilities.