Dear Sir,

The recent visit of the Prime Minister (PM) to Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) in Fox Hill was nothing more than a photo opportunity. The appearance of concern for the plight of the men incarcerated rings hollow. It is shocking that Perry Christie has been Prime Minister for more than four years plus and just found his way to HMP, a potential time bomb that has been ticking so loudly, especially since the now infamous prison break that claimed the lives of a promising officer and an inmate.

This kind of crisis should have alarmed the chief executive of any nation. Sensible leaders of other countries would know that a visit to the hostile environment would help quell the high level of confusion and frustration, at least to some small degree. It would show that someone in authority cares. The Prime Minister, not a representative, should have gone to the prison. Where does the buck stop anyway?

HMP, which has been leaking like a faucet, where inmates literally walk out of the prison almost anytime they want, should have gotten Mr Christie's attention a long time ago. The fact that Amnesty International has voiced their serious concern about inhumane treatment and other violations, and other international bodies have voiced their views about the "animal atmosphere" that our sons and some daughters must endure, should have warranted a visit from the nation's chief executive.

How can Mr Christie be taken seriously, when this country not so long ago, was gripped with fear after the daring prison escape, recapture and killing? If Mr Christie was concerned in the least, he would have insisted on programmes that better prepared our sons for re-entry into society. But it took four and half years and "shazzam," Mr Christie remembers the prison.

The visit makes some of us suspicious? Was this visit to see a particular inmate? Was this visit planned for an ulterior reason?

The inmates are not fools, they know that they are being played. Some of our brightest minds are incarcerated; one would have to wake up pretty early in the morning to fool them. The false hope given to those men will not go down well later. So if Mr Christie is wise, he would not take them for granted. They should use their influence with families to get rid of Mr Christie and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

Many physical changes could have been made at HMP since May 2, 2002, but Mr Christie's PLP Government used millions of dollars to purchase cars for their supporters, friends and family that work in the Public Service. Never before has so many cars with red licence plates been purchased.

Finally, suggesting to table the "Prison Report" is long overdue. Why did this process take such a long time to be completed? Bahamians have a way of getting the information they want anyway.

The real reason for Perry Christie's visit to the prison will soon come out.