Staffing and financial shortfalls hampering the Department of Corrections have been discussed during “meaningful dialogue” between the Attorney-General and the Prison Officers Association.

Kim Wilkerson, who is also the Minister of Justice, told The Royal Gazette that the Government was addressing a series of problems within the department — some of which were highlighted in a series of recent newspaper articles.

Timothy Seon, the POA chairman, claimed in an interview last week that the prisons were about 100 officers short.

Mr Seon also stated that he and his colleagues had been working in “crisis mode” for more than a decade.

His remarks came after an inmate of Westgate Correctional Facility said last month that educational and rehabilitative programmes were either not in place at the prison, or had been inadequately implemented.

Ms Wilkerson, who was sworn in for her role in September, said: “The Government recognises the challenges within the Department of Corrections and is actively addressing them.

She called recruitment for the department “a priority” and said a hiring campaign was under way until the end of this year.

Ms Wilkerson said further moves to strengthen staffing were planned for 2025.

“The public will also recall the additional funding of $400,000 that was allocated this year in the Midyear Budget Review to enhance critical inmate rehabilitation programmes, improve educational resources, and hire dedicated facilitators, ensuring better preparation for reintegration into society.

“Our goal is to modernise correctional services, support officers and advance initiatives such as the [non-operational] Transitional Living Centre.

“While challenges persist, these measures underscore the Government's dedication to improving Bermuda's correctional facilities and ensuring public safety.”

She added: “I recently met with the POA and had a meaningful dialogue that I am confident we can build upon.

“The Government will continue to engage the POA and remains committed to engaging with them to navigate these challenges together in a spirit of mutual respect and constructive collaboration.”

An inmate, who requested not to be named, spoke out in an opinion piece and news article in the Gazette criticising underfunded rehabilitative programmes that lacked instructors, as well as an “unwilling mindset” by some within the department that hindered offenders’ progress.

Robert King, an Opposition MP with 30-plus years of experience working with inmates in Bermuda and overseas, highlighted the issue in the House of Assembly after the articles ran.

Mr Seon said that on top of these challenges, some inmates housed at Westgate brought mental health challenges into a setting where staff lacked the skills to treat them.

Ms Wilkerson responded: “While the primary responsibility for diagnosing and treating mental health conditions lies with authorities outside of the Department of Corrections, the department takes a proactive role in managing and supporting inmates with mental health needs through a holistic approach that focuses on collaboration with healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate interventions are available.”

At the end of last year, the Department of Corrections started a recruitment campaign to bolster staffing.

Its advertisement sought officers who would be responsible for “upholding security, safety and contributing to community welfare”.

Mr Seon told the Gazette last week that the department had suffered cuts amounting to roughly $7.5 million in the past eight years.