The meeting is scheduled for this afternoon, May 31; at which time the NSC will “review the incident and agree [on] next steps”.

The governor — who shares joint responsibility for the prison with Social Development Minister Carvin Malone — announced the meeting in a brief statement on Monday morning.

“I am deeply concerned about the events at Her Majesty’s Prison on Sunday evening that sadly resulted in a loss of life. My sincere condolences go to the family and friends of the deceased. The safety and security of the prison inmates, all staff and officers are an absolute priority,” Governor Rankin stated.

The stabbing and the NSC meeting have both come following the departure of Premier Andrew Fahie who is is away from the territory on personal leave. Deputy Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley is Acting Premier effective Friday, May 28 to Wednesday, June 9 when Fahie returns. Both Premier Fahie and Governor Rankin jointly chair the NSC.

Meanwhile, a total of four inmates were stabbed in what Malone said was a violent altercation among several persons incarcerated at the facility.

Three of the four inmates sustained serious stab wounds and were taken to the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital where one of the stab victims — Nickhail Chambers — subsequently died. Chambers is a Jamaican who was serving time at the prison for his one-man role in the attempted murder of his former schoolmate back in 2017.

Two persons in custody

The prison incident happened around 6:30 pm.

“I have been informed by the Acting Superintendent of Prisons, Mr Royston Percival that all prisoners have been confined to their cells while the matter is being investigated by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

In an update this afternoon, the RVIPF said two men have been arrested but no charges have yet been laid. This follows Malone’s previous statement that one person had been formally charged.