Residents of Glendairy Gap, Station Hill, St Michael, are raising alarm over a health and safety hazard in the shadow of the old Glendairy prison, two decades after it closed.
The neighbourhood, home to about 20 households, many with women and children, has been dealing with rats, bees, and monkeys for roughly seven years. Now, they fear a prison wall may collapse under the weight of growing trees that overhang the community.
Built in 1855, Glendairy was the island’s main prison for exactly 150 years before it was abandoned after a prison riot and fire in March 2005.
Roland Thorpe, a lifelong resident, said the wall was periodically reinforced when the property was maintained. But over the past few years, trees have grown larger, their roots embedded in the wall, making it increasingly unstable.
“The tree from the inside of the prison has roots lodged inside the wall, causing cavities to weaken it. The wall may fall in a matter of time,” he said. “The roots embedded in the wall are looking for water, and they will break and separate the wall.”
Thorpe also expressed frustration over the animals invading the area.
“The monkeys, the rats, all them things coming in and infesting the same area coming from the existing wall in the prison; this is causing a problem,” he said.
He added that the monkeys have made the trees their habitat and are feeding on the small berries, while rats continue to increase in number. He suggested that clean-up efforts should be carried out by convicted people doing community service rather than paid government workers.
“The people that are doing the crime, them fellas on probation, their community service should be in these places,” he said. “The government should set up a programme for these young people who are breaking the law to come and clean the areas, to teach them work ethics. The probation office should get the programme, the community services to clean up these gullies, because if civilians can do it, and the government can pay them, these people who break the law can also contribute.”
An elderly resident who lives next to the wall expressed concern about the health risks posed by the growing rat population. She also noted that while bees are welcome for pollination, their numbers have been steadily increasing.
She claimed that several residents have contacted authorities about the situation, but they have received little response and are unsure of what to do next, as the property is government-owned.
Thorne believes that if the old prison is maintained in the same manner as is being done by the Ministry of Environment team responsible for the gully cleanup programme, the community would be happy.
Residents expressed the hope that authorities will visit the area soon to address the overgrown trees and prevent potential hazards.
When contacted, Member of Parliament for St Michael Central, Speaker of the House of Assembly Arthur Holder, revealed that he will soon launch a community enhancement project.
“It should be out within the next two weeks, actually, and it will create employment opportunities within the communities,” he told Barbados TODAY.
Holder explained that the project aims to enhance safety, improve environmental conditions, and uplift community pride.
“It will involve deploying ten workers to clean and maintain specific areas in the community, including clearing overgrown bush and vegetation, restoring what is called TREs, trench, roadside and embankment areas, and also providing safe and sanitary environments for vulnerable seniors.”
“It would also include the removal of debris, clearing water flow paths, and proper disposal of waste. It is also aimed at improving the surroundings of vulnerable residents, especially all vulnerable seniors.”
Holder said the project will first target the area of concern behind Glendairy. “There are three or four more projects, but this one is one of the first that would be up and running.”
louriannegraham@barbadostoday.bb
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