The Barbados Prison Service has launched a transformative five-year modernization plan, set to revolutionize its agricultural operations and transition its vehicle fleet to electric models by 2030. Superintendent of Prisons DeCarlo Payne announced the initiative during the prison’s 168th anniversary celebrations at Dodds, St Philip. The plan includes a significant expansion of the prison’s farm, which is now mandated to increase chicken production from 2,500 to 21,000 birds per batch, alongside scaling up cattle, pig, and ground provision farming. Payne emphasized that the agricultural output surge is unprecedented in his 15-year tenure. Additionally, the prison is phasing out fossil fuel vehicles in alignment with national decarbonization goals, with negotiations underway for three custom-built electric transport vehicles for inmates. The modernization also includes plans to increase prison officer posts from 372 to 400, pending approval from the Ministry of the Public Service. Payne urged staff to remain dedicated as the institution embarks on this ambitious upgrade.