PM Harris appoints his brother as acting Superintendent of Prisons

St Kitts and Nevis's Team Unity Government has appointed the prime minister Dr Timothy Harris's brother, Denzil "Bull" as acting superintendent of prisons.

Denzil Harris' appointment means there is one Superintendent of Prisons. Juni "Scrape" Hodge and two Acting Superintendent of Prisons – Denzil "Bull" Harris and Ashield Connor and all three are being paid a monthly salary.

In October 2016, Ashield Connor was appointed to the post following the forced removal of the Superintendent of Prisons, Juni "Scrape" Hodge.

Hodge who received his appointment from the Governor General Sir Tapley Seaton in February 2016 was forced to take vacation leave in October 2016 after just seven months on the job.

Prime Minister Harris had denied Hodge was being forced out but two years and five months he is still at home on leave and receives his monthly salary.

Acting Superintendent, Ashield Connor has been forced to retire and is on pre-retirement leave.

According to reports, Denzil "Bull" Harris has been performing the duties of Acting Superintendent of Prisons with effect from January 1, 2019.

The opposition is terming g the appointment of Harris' brother as a blatant practice of nepotism and cronyism by Prime Minister Harris since he took office in mid-February 2015.

The new appointment of Denzil "Bull" Harris comes on the heels of his recent promotion from Chief Prison Officer of St Kitts to Acting Assistant Superintendent of Prisons in December 2018 month with effect from March 2018,

There is also a report that Alton Liburd, who has been an Assistant Superintendent, has been passed over and is be on leave for the past months.