Blackmoore commends late prison superintendent for decades of service

Minister for National Security Rayburn Blackmoore said the late Algernon  Charter, who served at the Dominica State Prison for 35 years, deserves special recognition.

His comments came following the death of Charter this week.

The late superintendent received the Long Service Medal of Honour from the Dominican government.

Charter oversaw many initiatives aimed at improving the lives and skills of inmates during his tenure. In addition to practical training such as construction work, a groundbreaking program that taught detainees the Transcendental Meditation technique was also introduced in 2010.

“This will help them to relax ….We hope that it will help them to see and behave differently,” Charter said at the time. “…We offer opportunities, hoping that they change their cognition.”

Commenting on Charter’s service, Blackmoore stated, “Anyone who gives 35 years of service to his country deserves special recognition and mention in our great Dominican story. Mr. Algernon Charter served for 35 years at the Dominica State Prison and rose to the rank of Superintendent.”

He continued, “Dominica has certainly lost a great individual.”

He expressed deepest sympathies to Charter’s “wife, family, friends, loved ones, officers of the Dominica State Prison, his former colleagues, and the entire Canefield and Mahaut community” on behalf of his ministry and the government.

“May his soul Rest In Peace.”