An international peer review team has completed their visit to Bermuda as part of an independent assessment of the island’s correctional facilities. The visit, known as a Detention Standards Review, was arranged by Governor Andrew Murdoch at the request of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Senator, the Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP.

The Detention Standards Review Panel delegation included senior correctional leaders from the United Kingdom (including HMP Belmarsh), the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands and was led by Robert Harper, Head of the Overseas Territories Justice Programme at the UK’s Ministry of Justice.

During their time in Bermuda from October 6th to 15th, the panel met with the Governor Murdoch and Minister Wilkerson and undertook extensive inspections of the Westgate Correctional Facility and Co-Ed Facility. Their 10-day review included interviews with inmates, corrections officers, and leadership. They also met with members of the Treatment of Offenders Board and the Parole Board, and engaged with external stakeholders involved in rehabilitation.

This comprehensive and holistic review focused on rehabilitation improvements and assessed Bermuda’s facilities against the Nelson Mandela Rules - the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. The panel was given unfettered access to Corrections facilities, enabling a transparent and thorough assessment.

Minister Wilkerson said the Government welcomes such reviews as part of its ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. “We are committed to ensuring Bermuda’s correctional system reflects international best practices, with a clear focus on rehabilitation and reintegration. This independent review is an important opportunity to learn from our peers and to build on the strengths that already exist within our system, while clearly identifying areas for improvement.”

“I look forward to receiving the recommendations from the panel and implementing them as a matter of urgency. The UK Government has indicated its support in helping Bermuda to implement positive changes and we welcome this partnership and the opportunity to strengthen our correctional framework.”

This year, the Detention Standards Review Panel has completed similar assessments in the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Reviews of this kind are undertaken every few years and form part of a broader commitment to aligning detention facilities across UK Overseas Territories with international standards.