A Custodial Manager for Her Majesty’s Cayman Islands Prison Service, Mr. Marlon Hodgson ensures his clients at the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) receive decent, fair and humane treatment. For these services, the Deputy Governor has named Mr. Hodgson Employee of the Month for August.

Currently, the IDC houses migrants who have landed illegally in the Cayman Islands and are awaiting repatriation. The Prison Service provides security for these detainees.

Mr. Hodgson singlehandedly managed IDC’s recent handover from Immigration to the Prison Service, overseeing all aspects of the transition, including: finance, operations, support services and staffing. He has risen to the challenge of managing and providing a first class service to residents.

Deeply committed to his profession, he works long hours, even when on leave sometimes, visiting and being available to the inmates, as well as his staff whenever needed.

Through diligence and dedication, he has managed to make great strides in a short period. This includes improving physical conditions at the IDC, raising the standard of services for detainees, enhancing staff response to changing client needs and better information sharing about the IDC between the Governor’s Office, the Home Affairs Ministry, Immigration and the Prison Service.

Additionally, Mr. Hodgson has created an incentive scheme to motivate detainees to work at the IDC to improve their living conditions by making upgrades to the building and the grounds.

Knowing the importance of communications to maintaining good relations, Mr. Hodgson has also obtained rudimentary conversational Spanish skills to better communicate with the Spanish speaking detainees.

Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson, commended Mr. Hodgson for managing the detainees and encouraging his staff to put forth their best work.

In turn, Mr. Hodgson thanked his nominators and the Deputy Governor for choosing him as August’s recipient. “This is a very pleasant surprise and I am humbled and amazed to be considered worthy of the honour,” he added.

Photo captions: Photos by Bina Mani

L-r: Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson, Custodial Manager with the Prison Service, Mr. Marlon Hodgson and Chief Officer Mr. Eric Bush

Custodial Manager with HMCIPS, Mr. Marlon Hodgson