U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea today announced a significant development in the Territory’s long-standing federal Settlement Agreement regarding conditions of confinement at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix. For more than four decades, the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands and its Bureau of Corrections (BOC) have devoted substantial time and resources to achieve full compliance with the terms of the Agreement.
During a hearing earlier today in the District Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Judge Wilma Lewis indicated her intent to terminate all provisions related to medical care, citing the Territory’s sustained compliance with required standards — a milestone that reflects unprecedented progress in this long-standing case.
“I want to congratulate BOC Director Wynnie Testamark and all Bureau of Corrections personnel on achieving this major milestone. We look forward to continued progress in reforming operations at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility to satisfy the remaining requirements of the Settlement Agreement,” said Attorney General Rhea.
The Court also received positive reports from the panel of court-appointed monitors showing advancements in multiple additional compliance areas.
“We thank Judge Lewis for her thoughtful consideration, her acknowledgment of the hard work and professionalism of BOC’s medical staff and management, and her decision to terminate portions of the consent decree based on demonstrable compliance,” Attorney General Rhea added.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2025
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340) 774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov