Not the whole truth

There is a fascinating policy within SHG. Never, ever acknowledge any input that comes from outside SHG.

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You see this in yesterday’s press release about the planning permission for the new Prison. http://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/exco-report-tuesday-17-september-2019/?fbclid=IwAR26TGf-a5WCw762ikLRWM3veaSjrVuwvBi7EuZgbj3WuoOAR1lb5sLhLlw

“Members noted that the existing Prison and Police Custody Suite located in Jamestown is not fit for purpose as identified following visits and advice from the FCO Prison Adviser. The current conditions and facilities at the Prison are substandard and the need for a new prison is undeniable and long overdue.”

While this is technically correct, it is a distortion of the true facts – not remotely the “whole truth”.

Yes, the Prison Adviser did recommend building a new prison because the one we have is sub-standard and does not meet Human Rights standards. But he started saying that way back in the 1990s and was ignored, even when he repeated his advice several times. It was only when our Equality & Human Rights Commission did its recent Inquiry (http://humanrightssthelena.org/prisoninquiry18.htm) into the prison did SHG take any meaningful action, which has got us to where we are today – some progress.

But SHG cannot allow itself to accept that it is only taking action because “outsiders” have recommended it.

This form of 1984 double-speak is a fundamental part of any SHG press release and it is one of the reason why nobody believes anything said in an SHG press release.