Some former ‘star acts’ at annual prison Christmas concert missing this year

A number of inmates, who in the past were considered star performers at the annual Prison Concert, were noticeably absent from the event which was held last Sunday.

Acting Superintendent of Prisons Dwayne Bailey, addressing the well attended event at the Solidarity In Action car park in Kingstown said the absence of the inmates was as a result of disciplinary measures taken against inmates who had committed infractions throughout the year.

The prison head said these infractions range from possessing prohibited items, inclusive of mobile phones and chargers, to committing assaults against other inmates or members of staff.

Additionally, with the change of venue for the 2023 Prison Concert from the court house yard to the car park, a number of inmates who were initially slated to perform were deemed a security risk and were taken off the list.

Prison staff are given the responsibility of compiling the list of inmates to participate in the annual prison concert, and to assist them in their preparation. However the Superintendent of Prisons is the official with the final say, and Bailey said when the list got to him, he eliminated some of the names.

One prison officer, who spoke to SEARCHLIGHT on the condition of anonymity said he and his colleagues fully support the decision to remove some names from the list.

ANOTHER PERFORMANCE by these two female inmates which was well received by the crowd (photo by Robertson S. Henry)

“Many of these inmates insist on behaving like they are still out on the streets, without realizing that they were first sentenced to prison for the misdeeds committed while being a free man or woman. If you still want to commit crimes even while in prison then there are and will be consequences.”

He added: “The prison concert is an event the inmates are looking forward to and we cannot allow a few to spoil it for them. Many of them have realized that they made a mistake, and it is an opportunity to reintegrate themselves into society. I hope that persons after hearing and seeing the talent of those inmates, will assist them to become productive members of society when they are released, for we prison staff do understand the difficulties they face in society when released.”