While a bulletin issued by the Government yesterday did not give reasons for the lockdown, the HMP was recently rocked by stabbing incident where one inmate – Nichail Chambers – lost his life, and three others sustained stab wounds.

An internal probe was subsequently launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident at the Balsam Ghut based facility, headed by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.

The bulletin said: “in-person visitation to Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut has been temporarily suspended until further notice.”

It continued: “However, items may be dropped off from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 a. m. to 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Further information will be issued once the facility returns to normal operations. Any inconvenience caused is regretted.”