A senior manager with over 30 years of experience in corrections will take up the role of the Director at Her Majesty’s Cayman Islands Prison Service (HMCIPS) next month, the Portfolio of Internal and external Affairs announced today (Friday 17 May).

The successful candidate, Neil Lavis, is currently the serving Governor of HMP Swansea in the UK. Key achievements during his three-year tenure at Swansea which have direct relevance for the HMCIPS have been:

Ø  Improving the overall prison performance from borderline level 2 to a level 4 high performing establishment under the rating system used by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP).

Ø  Improving performance in mandatory drug testing, sickness levels, time out of cell and purposeful activity as required by the HMIP.

Ø  Leading and restructuring the Senior Management Team during a period of economic and social instability.

Ø  Maintaining a safe, decent Prison and setting a strategy to improve resettlement provision and children and families pathways.

Ø  Linking with outside agencies to provide “through the gate” provision for prisoners resettling in the local community.

Ø  Effectively challenging and dealing with performance and conduct issues including those of staff who hold senior management positions.

HMP Swansea currently houses approximately 435 prisoners with a staff compliment of approximately 400 and a £9.5 million budget.

Expressing confidence in Mr. Lavis’s leadership abilities, Chief Officer for the Portfolio, Mr. Eric Bush said the new prison director will play a central role in efforts to improve the state of the local prison system.

“I was very happy to see the quality of applicants we attracted during the open recruitment process. We received 26 applications from highly qualified corrections professionals from all over the world and we are confident that Mr. Lavis is the best person for the job” Mr. Bush remarked.

The Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs started the recruitment process for a new Director of Prisons back in February of this year. After two rounds of shortlisting, comprising of a review of candidates’ qualifications and experience and an evaluation of written responses to scenario questions, five candidates (3 women and 2 men) were invited to attend an assessment center and interview process in Grand Cayman. Mr. Lavis was chosen following thorough screening which included rigorous background checks.

Commenting on his new appointment, Mr. Lavis stated: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the Cayman Islands Prisons Service. I am keenly aware of the challenges ahead and am confident that I will make a positive difference and be able to deliver a Prison Service that meets the public expectations of keeping those in custody safe and secure and treating them decently while providing rehabilitation to break the cycle of offending, which will allow them to return to society better equipped to live as law abiding citizens.”