Second incident reported at HMP Northward in less than a week

HMP Northward officials have confirmed a second inmate conflict incident in less than a week at the prison.

They said two inmates were injured at the prison, which at present holds almost a third more prisoners than it was designed for.

A press release issued on 18 May stated that “Both prisoners were assessed by medical personnel at the prison and were subsequently transported to Anthony S. Eden Hospital in George Town for further medical assessment. Both were treated and returned to HMP Northward without further incident.”

The incident, which has been referred to police, happened on Sunday, 16 May.

The release added, “As the incident is subject to a police investigation and involves security-sensitive prison operations, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the circumstances of the incident at this time.”

This latest incident comes after two inmates were injured at the prison on Monday, 11 May.

The inmates were also taken to the Anthony S. Eden Hospital and returned to the prison after treatment.

The first incident is also being investigated by police.

Long-term plans

Home Affairs Minister Nickolas DaCosta told the Compass last month that Northward had been condemned for two decades.

And he admitted that safety and security problems caused by mixing prisoners with serious mental health problems with the general population had been evident for just as long.

But DaCosta said a new prison capable of housing 250 inmates and with facilities for mental health and young offenders was part of a long-term plans for the future of Cayman’s detention centres.

The proposals include capacity to expand to accommodate at least 400 inmates through shared cells.

DaCosta added that a full build was likely to cost more than $100 million over several years.

He said he secured $12 million across 2026 and 2027 to get the project off the ground, with design work expected to be completed this year.

Some of the cash will have to be spent on repairs to roofs and windows, as well as on electrical upgrades and a new kitchen at the present prison complex to keep the condemned buildings in service while a new prison is built on a site nearby.