His Majesty’s Prison Successfully Hosts First Annual
His Majesty’s Prison recently staged its First Annual Drama Exhibition, bringing together juvenile, female and male inmate groups to showcase creativity, reflection and personal growth through dramatic expression. Government and prison press releases described the event as a milestone in rehabilitative programming, while BVI News provided additional public visibility with coverage and photographs.
His Majesty’s Prison recently staged its First Annual Drama Exhibition, an event designed to support rehabilitation and prepare inmates for reintegration into society. The exhibition united three groups of participants — juvenile inmates, a female participant, and male inmates — who used dramatic performance to explore themes of personal responsibility, teamwork and self-improvement.
According to a government press release, the juvenile performers included Makori Stevens, Taheem Robinson, Deondre Fitz and Demari Samuel. The female participant named was Jody Ann Thomas. Male participants listed by officials were Malachy Payne, Shemar Richardson, Akeem Joseph, Kervin Rhymer, Vernon Smith, Korrey Stoutt, Keshawn Barronville, Zuri Reid, Lekhoy Hughes and Deron Antoine.
Organisers said the presentations offered inmates a structured, creative outlet for reflection and practical opportunities to practise collaboration and responsibility. The Ministry of Health and Social Development described the exhibition as an important milestone in the prison’s expanding rehabilitation programme.
In a statement carried by the ministry, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, said the initiative reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration: "Rehabilitation remains central to our mandate. The First Annual Drama Exhibition demonstrates how creative and structured programmes can positively influence behaviour, build confidence, and support personal transformation." Minister Wheatley also highlighted complementary initiatives, noting successes over the past two years such as the Annual Prison Debating Competition and the revival of the Prison Basketball League.
The minister said those programmes have helped strengthen communication, critical thinking, discipline and healthy engagement among inmates — reinforcing that rehabilitation is an intentional, sustained effort by Government (Ministry press release). Superintendent of Prisons Jay Kendall, quoted in prison materials, described the exhibition as "more than a performance," calling it "an expression of commitment, growth, and the willingness of our inmates to channel their energy into positive development." Kendall said the drama programme complements the Annual Prison Debating Competition and the reintroduced Prison Basketball League as part of a broader rehabilitative strategy focused on accountability, skill building and reducing recidivism (Prison press release).
BVI News also covered the event, running a report headlined "HM Prison hosts first annual drama festival" and publishing photographs of the performances, which provided additional public visibility for the programme. That coverage, together with government and prison releases, underlined the shared goal of using structured creative activity to help prepare inmates for life after custody (BVI News).
The Ministry commended inmates, prison staff and partner organisations who contributed to the exhibition and reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening rehabilitative programming within His Majesty’s Prison. Officials said they intend to make the drama exhibition an annual feature and will continue expanding opportunities that promote personal development, constructive engagement and community reintegration.
The government press release also included contact details for media enquiries, reflecting the administration’s effort to broaden transparency and public engagement on correctional reforms (BVI Government). This combined coverage highlights that the First Annual Drama Exhibition is both a public showcase and a practical component of the prison’s wider efforts to support behavioural change and reduce recidivism through creative, structured programmes.
Primary source: BVI Government