May 31, 2012Dear Sir,The Prison Officers Association is by no means fearful of any recommendations made from the Wheatley Report. We have been on the forefront of change for the direction and vision of the Bermuda Department of Corrections. We had frank and honest discussions with Mr Wheatley and we are certain that the recommendations made would in most instances be things that we have asked for. We even presented Mr Wheatley with reports that we had written pressing for Prison Reform.There could be some in the service who would like to maintain the status quo and not embrace the change that is coming. There might be some who have a vested interest in continuing current operations and who feel that with change, their positions may not be as relevant. The Wheatley Report will certainly be honest and frank and during our discussions he emphasised this point to the executive of the POA. However the POA has the fortitude to absorb any recommendations and are committed to the process.The POA has for many years fought for the rights of our members we have never moved unless we had the mandate of the majority of the membership. The POA was unanimously in favour of conducting the review from the persons who voted at our meeting. The POA executive is guided by the membership and every decision that is made comes from them. It is somehow incredibly insidious that as we stand on the precipice of change that some in the ranks have exercised their right to undermine the integrity of the majority. The POA is certain that the Wheatley Report could have far reaching consequences for the Bermuda Department of Corrections and it could be an indictment on us all. However, through this process we will be able to better serve our country. The POA membership were briefed by the executive and fore warned that we had to be prepared for the outcomes.The POA has never condoned officers being involved in nefarious activities. If officers have evidence of any wrongdoing they should have the testicular fortitude to report it to senior staff without fear or favour. It is of no significance to report to the public as the persons involved continue to serve the Bermuda Department of Corrections. If there are any involved in trafficking of contraband they compromise the health and safety of fellow officers and inmates. If these officers wish to remain silent they are just as guilty as the officers who they allege are trafficking unauthorised articles into the prisons.There could never be any question throughout any country that corruption does not exist; it spreads its tentacles to the highest echelons of any society. However we have had only one officer indicted and convicted for trafficking narcotics into our facilities. If there are more, the POA is hopeful that they will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.The POA has never defended any Officer for trafficking unauthorised articles. The POA has made several recommendations to mitigate any trafficking of contraband. We suggested years ago to a former Minister that the lockers and the Officer’s lounge should be outside of the prison. This would lead to an Officer only being allowed to walk into the facility with the appropriate items that would consist of their uniform and hand cuffs. We further recommended that officers should undergo a random body search when entering the facilities. This would help maintain the professional integrity of the service and that the sizes of bags carried by officers entering the facility should be set at a specific dimension so they could be easily searched.The POA executive is quite aware that we have not had a salary increase for three years and the body has been duly informed of this fact, so it is somehow mind boggling that an Officer would make this suggestion.Secondly as it relates to an increase, Government proposed to give us an increase, the POA did not ask for the proposed increase because we were not at the negotiating table. We were locked in discussions over a previous salary review that the POA contended had to be settled before we could begin legitimate negotiations. The POA body was firmly committed to pursuing the salary review and it was decided by vote that we would not move until Government upheld the findings of the review. Since which it was decided by the membership that we would agree to absorb the salary review in the holistic review of the Department that is ongoing. The POA was in agreement that we would forgo any increase until the current Holistic Review of the Bermuda Department of Corrections was completed. It was thought more relevant to the majority to focus on the health and safety issues, administration issues, legislative issues, and operational issues that exist in the Bermuda Department of Corrections before discussing compensation. The body fully understands the sacrifices that have to be made to achieve a work environment that is conducive in providing the best possible outcomes for Officers and inmates moving forward.The tactic of planting the seed of discontent throughout the ranks will not deter me or the executive branch and the membership in facilitating the change that must come to insure that the Department is run in an effective and efficient manner. Battles have been fought, at great personal sacrifice, to insure that the men and women, who currently serve, and the persons who serve after, work in environments that are safe. The POA is committed to insuring that these fine men and women are given the tools and the resources to carry out their duties so that the mission and objectives of the Bermuda of Corrections are met and exceeded. In closing I would like to salute these brave and honourable men and women who serve their country with distinction. They face adversity and are challenged beyond imagination on a daily basis.You are the pride of our country and be not deterred.CRAIG R CLARKEChairman