TNN News understands that inmates at Westgate Correctional Facility were notified on Tuesday, September 22, that the facility’s water supply would be shut off the following day to allow for necessary plumbing repairs.
The notice, issued by the Department of Corrections, advised inmates that water would be unavailable from approximately 7:30 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. and instructed them to prepare by filling trash cans and buckets for flushing. Inmates were also told that two bottles of drinking water would be provided.
Following the latest round of repairs, TNN understands that a partial water supply has now been restored at Westgate. However, the major repair work carried out over the weekend reportedly did not resolve the underlying problem.
TNN understands that, following government intervention, a temporary workaround was implemented to restore some flushing water to the facility.
As a result, some taps are reportedly functioning, while some toilets are flushing and some showers are operational. However, water pressure remains low, and inmates are continuing to receive bottled water because the tap water has not yet been cleared as safe for drinking.
TNN has also been told that, last night, inmates housed in the E Unit, which accommodates minimum-security prisoners, remained secured within their housing unit. The housing-unit doors were locked, although inmates were reportedly permitted to move freely within the unit. TNN News understands that a similar arrangement exists at the prison farm.
There is now hope that a full water supply can be restored within the next day or so.
However, the continuing problems have raised broader questions about the maintenance, funding and upkeep of the correctional facility, which is a critical public asset.
Questions are being raised about the level of funding allocated to prison maintenance over the years, particularly amid claims that the Department of Corrections’ budget has been reduced on a year-over-year basis.
TNN understands that responsibility for maintenance funding and works involving the prison facility falls within the Ministry of Public Works.
This has prompted questions about how much money has been allocated for prison maintenance over the years and whether sufficient resources have been made available to address essential infrastructure before failures become emergencies.
Another question concerns the use of outside contractors for critical plumbing work.
TNN News understands that external contractors are currently being used to address the ongoing water problem, raising questions about whether the Government has qualified plumbers within its own workforce who could be assigned to the correctional facility for routine maintenance and emergency repairs.
The prolonged water outage has also raised concerns about communication and leadership at the facility.
TNN understands that during the extended water disruption, neither the Commissioner of Corrections nor the Assistant Commissioner did not address inmates about the crisis.
Questions are therefore being raised about who was responsible for providing direct leadership and reassurance to the inmate population during what has become a significant operational problem.
For inmates and correctional officers, the issue goes beyond the inconvenience of losing water.
Water is essential for drinking, sanitation, flushing toilets, bathing and maintaining basic health and hygiene standards inside a correctional institution.
TNN News understands that Government has provided a response late this evening concerning the ongoing situation.
“The Ministry of Public Works and Environment advises that water service has been restored at Westgate Correctional Facility following repairs completed on Sunday, 27 September.
An initial repair restored service on Friday, 25 September, but a further failure caused another interruption. The Department of Public Lands and Buildings worked through the weekend with its plumbing contractor and the Government Water Section to install a replacement connection and restore the supply.
The Ministry apologises to staff and those in custody for the disruption. While repairs were under way, we worked with the Department of Corrections to maintain essential operations and provide access to water.
The Department of Public Lands and Buildings will continue to monitor the system to make sure the supply remains stable.
A full assessment of the condition of each correctional facility is under way and is expected to be completed shortly. This assessment will establish the scope of work needed to address longstanding issues and guide the Government’s plans for significant investment in these facilities.”
TNN will continue to follow developments and seek answers regarding the repairs, maintenance arrangements, funding and the Government’s plans to prevent a recurrence of the crisis.
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