Prisoners could help with bush cutting, Rymer says

Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer has proposed using prisoners to help with beautification and maintenance works across the BVI, particularly given the ongoing challenges with maintaining the territory’s infrastructure.

Rymer made this suggestion during a recent House of Assembly debate, citing the potential benefits of utilising available resources to address the BVI’s pressing roadside conditions. Rymer acknowledged that the territory’s roadsides have long been a source of frustration for residents. “We’ve seen this rain phenomenon. As soon as you cut some bush, they go right back up. As soon as you cut your lawn and your yard, they go right back up,” Rymer stated.

The Minister stated that while some work is being done, it is insufficient to meet the community’s needs. “We now have the RATED programme, they’re engaged. It’s nice to see the roads cut. But then I’m sure in a couple of days you’ll see the grass grow right back up,” he said.

Rymer argued that the government needs to use whatever resources are available to assist with maintaining the territory. He referenced a past programme where low-risk prisoners were involved in public works, suggesting that a similar initiative could be reintroduced. “I know there was a programme where we could use the low-risk prisoners at one time,” he said. “Maybe that is something that we need to look into to see if they can also assist.”