Mr Hill replaces St Lucia national Mr Verne A.G. Garde who was handpicked by the former Minister for Education Myron V. Walwyn to head Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP).

Mr Garde contractual appointment ended on July 2, 2021.

Hill’s appointment took effect July 3, 2021

The appointment of Mr Hill was made by His Excellency the Governor John J. Rankin, CMG with consideration by the Public Service Commission on a contractual appointment for a period of two years that took effect on July 3, 2021, a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) on July 9, 2021, stated.

According to GIS, while serving in his new role as Superintendent of Prison, Mr Hill will be responsible for the efficient and effective management and operation of Her Majesty’s Prison. He will also serve as the Government’s Chief Advisor on all matters pertaining to Prison Management and Rehabilitation.

On May 5, 2020, former Principal Crown Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit, left, became the first ever local to be appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) while on October 1, 2020, Dawn J Smith, right, became the first local Attorney General in 20 years.

Highly qualified Hill

Indigenous Virgin Islander Mr Hill was repeatedly snubbed by the now-ousted National Democratic Party (NDP) Government for the post of Chief Immigration Officer, has more than 20 years of extensive experience in the Public Service, particularly, law enforcement.

He served in various ranks at the Immigration Department including the leadership role as Deputy Chief Immigration Officer prior to his retirement in 2018.

Mr Hill holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from the University of Texas at El Paso along with several training certificates in the areas of criminology, surveillance, supervision and investigations.

Virgin Islander Mr Charles L. Forbes’ (left) contract as Superintendent of Prisons was not renewed by Government when it expired in September of 2013 after a recommendation from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the National Security Council with the full knowledge of the then Minister for Education and Culture, Myron V. Walwyn, right, according to an NDP source.

Locals taking up top posts under VIP Gov’t

It has been the policy of the Andrew A. Fahie-led Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government to ensure qualified Virgin Islanders take up leading posts in the territory.

Under the VIP Government, the posts of Attorney General (AG) and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) have been taken up by qualified locals after being held by expatriates for decades.

On May 5, 2020, former Principal Crown Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit became the first-ever local to be appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

On October 1, 2020, Dawn J Smith became the first local Attorney General in 20 years.

Former legislator under the VIP Government, R. Dancia Penn-Sallah holds the distinction of being the first local Attorney General.

Meanwhile, Mr Hill will be the first local Superintendent of Prison in nearly 8 years.

The post was taken away from a local under the NDP Government in 2013.