jail tourism in uttarakhand

"I recognized them, and I thought, 'Oh, man, what a bonehead mistake that I had no idea that those were in there,'" he said.

The couple were arrested and charged with possession of ammunition. Authorities seized their passports and explained the penalties they faced.

Valerie Watson said in the interview: "When I heard that, I immediately was terrified, because I was like we can't both be in prison for 12 years. We have kids at home, and this is such an innocent mistake."

The charges against her were dropped, and she returned home to Oklahoma City on Tuesday after the court hearing to be reunited with her two young children.

"Our goal is to get Ryan home, because we can’t be a family without Dad," she said.

The couple also spoke about the financial burden of a much longer-than-planned trip. "This is something that we may never recover from," Ryan Watson said.

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a warning to travelers in September about a law that strongly prohibits possession of firearms or ammunition in Turks and Caicos, an overseas British territory southeast of the Bahamas that is a popular vacation spot.

It said: "We wish to remind all travelers that declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands] and will result in your arrest."

The embassy added: "If you bring a firearm or ammunition into TCI, we will not be able to secure your release from custody."

The embassy and the government in Turks and Caicos did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The same thing happened to another American, Bryan Hagerich, of Pennsylvania, who was arrested after ammunition was found in his luggage before he tried to board a flight out of Turks and Caicos in February. He said he accidentally left it in his bag.

Hagerich was on a family vacation with his wife and two young children but has now been in the country for 70 days. He spent eight days in prison before he posted bail.

"It’s incredibly scary. You know, you just don’t know what the next day may bring — you know, what path this may take," Hagerich told NBC Boston.

"You know, it’s certainly a lot different than packing your bags and going away with your family for a few days. It’s been the worst 70 days of my life," he said.

Hagerich, once a professional baseball player, was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the MLB 2007 June amateur draft from the University of Delaware.

His case goes to trial May 3.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

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Have You Ever Wondered About Prison Life? You Can Now Spend A Night In The Real Uttarakhand Jail For ₹500.

Is committing a crime the only way to enter prison? Well,  if you’re also fascinated about experiencing jail life for some time, then here’s interesting news for you. The Haldwani administration in Uttarakhand brings a  fascinating offer for travel enthusiasts. They’ve come up with a unique initiative to provide an imprisonment experience i.e. “spend a night in jail” for ₹500.

The department of prisons in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, has devised a unique method to help individuals avoid ‘bad karma’.This comes at a modest cost of ₹500 per night. Even cheaper than staying in a hotel! Prisons often receive “orders” from high-ranking officials to allow “recommended persons” to spend a few hours in the prison barracks. Well, this rule doesn’t remain the same any longer.

According to a Times of India report, Haldwani Prison was built in 1903 and consisted of an old armoury with six staff quarters, part of which remains abandoned, and now receives “prison guests”. Areas of the former prison are currently being renovated to provide accommodation for ‘tourists’ seeking an actual ‘prison’ experience.

Also read:  Anstalten Prison In Greenland Has Large Windows Offering Mountain Views &Looks Like A Hilly Resort

This Initiative Of Spending A Night In Jail Has An Astrological Aspect

Interestingly, some astrologers advise people to spend time in prison to avoid the horoscope mishap,   “Bandhan Yog”, which predicts imprisonment. So, this initiative can prove handy for these people.

According to reports tourists who spend a night in this will be provided with food and clothing from the prison, including authentic prison uniforms.

Also read:  Jharkhand Gets A Jail-Themed Restaurant That Lets You Experience Dining Inside A Prison

Telangana Introduced This Concept Six Years Ago

Sanhareddy District Central Prison, located in Telangana’s Medak District first opened the Prison Tourism Facility six years ago. It also allows tourists to spend 24 hours in prison for ₹500.

Also Read: Prison Island Is A New Adventure Attraction In Abu Dhabi With Jailed-Themed Challenges

Initially, the prison was transformed into a museum. But then Police Deputy Superintendent M. Lakshmi Narasimha proposed the idea of ​​’Feel the prison’. Since then it has expanded into a tourism category of its own —  jail tourism. 

So, would you want to spend a night in jail too? Let us know in the comments section below.

Cover image courtesy: pixabay

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Department Of Prison Government Of Uttarakhand

• Organisation

Organization

The headquarters of the Prison Department is located in District Prison Chamber, Sudovala, (Chakrata Road), Dehradun, and the following institutions are under its control: -

Out of the above, the concept of open prison in the form of Sampurnanand camp, Sitarganj was developed from the time of undivided UP, which was established on February 16, 1960. The main objective of the camp establishment is to provide the prisoners with an opportunity to stay in the highest open environment in low security, develop their inner skills, integrity, discipline, self-esteem, self-reliance and dutifulness. After the selection of the prisoners imprisoned with lifetime imprisonment, capable of performing excellent background and character in this prison, which is called as Shivirvasi/Campers. In the camp mainly agricultural work is done, Where the camps work in agriculture with the help of the latest techniques and machines of agriculture.

prisoners who are working in the camp get reconstituting their family bonds with their residence, to see the diseased close relatives, contacting prospective well wishers and for resolving their domestic problems, a 15-day house holiday is temporarily adjourned for their punishment. Apart from the above, the prisoner who works in the camp is also given a one day rate of one day per remission of sentence.

Departmental organization –

There is a bicameral organization in the Uttarakhand Prison Department, where administrative activities at the level of prison headquarters and subordinate prisons are discharged, with brief details as follows: -

Headquarter organization-

The head of the department of prison department is inspector general of prison. For the cooperation of the Head of the Department there are additional inspector general of prison, deputy inspector general (headquarter), finance Officer, Assistant Accounts Officer, Women Welfare Officer as well as the Ministerial staff.  

Prison organization-

The head of the office of prisons are Senior superintendent/superintendent, for cooperation of Senior superintendent/superintendent there are jailor, deputy jailor, security guards, steno, clerk, assistant accounts officers, education teacher, technical staff etc. For the prisoner's medical system there are doctors (senior counselor, counselor), pharmacist and other paramedical staff. For the cooperation of above in central/shivir jail, sitarganj there is senior superintendent and district jails, dehradun, haridwar, tehri, pauri, nainital, almora, chamoli there are superintendents.

Rights and Duties of Officers and Employees-

The powers and duties of the prison officials and employees have been made in the Prisons Act and the prison manual. Duties of all prison officials and employees have been described in the jail manual. For more download jail manual below.

JAIL MANUAL OF UTTARAKHAND

Departmental workshop-

In case of any decision to be taken at the headquarters level, the first related panel assistant is presented on the recommendation / proposal letter by examining it in the context of the changes in the rules. After that, the supervisory employee (Administrative Officer) is also examined and his objection is mentioned. After this, the decision is taken by the other intermediate officers involved in the decision-making series, and finally the decisions taken by the decision making level (the Head of the Head / Head of the Department) is taken in the decision-making. Thereafter, the relevant urgent orders are issued as required. At the level of prisons, the officers are presented before the Senior Superintendent / Superintendents to the Office of the order by the subordinate personnel for the execution of various government functions. Episodes are forwarded to the headquarters to receive requisite orders from the headquarters level.

Departmental manpower-

In order to operate the prison administration as per the policies of the government, there are a total of 12 jail institutions operating in the department. These institutions include 01 Jail Headquarters, 01 Central Jail, 01 Camp Jail and 07 District Jails, 02 Sub Jail. A total of 797 posts of various service cadres have been created to govern government activities.

Department Of Prison Government Of Uttarakhand

Hon'ble ADGP Prisons

Shri. praveen kumar sinha ips.

Hon'ble IG Prisons

Bimla gunjial ips, inspector general of prison.

• Uttarakhand Prisons Department came into existence on 9 November, 2000 after the re-organization of States. Initially the Prisons Department consisted of only few Central Jails, District Jails and Sub Jails.
• Custody, Control, Care and Correction(4Cs) of prisoners.
• Rehabilitation and reformation of prisoners.
• Custodial safety and security of inmates.
• Providing basic congenial environment for ensuring human dignity.
• Reformation, Rehabilitation & Reintegration of inmates with the society.
• Special care for women and their children.
• Providing requisite avenues for self-sustainability and development.
• Drug de-addiction through physiological and psychological approach.

Prisons Department, Uttarakhand is working diligently for ensuring best possible care of inmates. For ameliorating the sufferings of prisoners lodged in different jails of Uttarakhand during this hardship caused by Covid 19 disease spread and as physical mulaqats of prisoners with their relatives have been stopped till further orders, the Prisons Department, Uttarakhand has taken an initiative by which relatives of prisoners can send financial help to their prisoners for using Canteen/Telephone facilities available for inmates through this portal. Lets work together to fight this disease with our joint efforts.

Jails of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Prisons Head Office, Prison Headquarters, Dehradun (Uttarakhand)

Help Line Number : +919671365222 (Mon - Fri) 10 AM - 5 Pm

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Jail Tourism–famous jails in India tourists can visit

Resham Sengar , TIMESOFINDIA.COM , TRAVEL TRENDS , INDIA Updated : Jan 29, 2021, 09:30 IST

Being a tourist at a jail in India

If there is one place on earth that no tourist would ever like to visit is a jail! But, what if you get a chance to walk into a jail as a free soul and leave at your own whim? There are a few famous jails in India that have opened their doors for jail tourism. Read ahead to know more.

Tihar Jail, Delhi

It is the largest jail complex in South Asia established by Punjab in 1957. Known to be a maximum security prison, famous personalities like Bihar’s ex-CM Lalu Prasad Yadav and the current Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal have been its inmates. What makes Tihar Jail special is the fact that it works towards rehabilitation of the inmates by training them in different vocations. Once their sentence is over, the prisoners can opt for job placements or higher studies. Tihar Jail can be visited from Monday to Friday between 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Aguada Jail, Goa

Aguada jail is a part of the Aguada Fort in Sinquerim village close to Mandovi River in north Goa. It is due to open for tourists in March 2021. The jail has had inmates in the form of freedom fighters like Ram Manohar and TB Cunha during their fight against the Portuguese rule in Goa.

Yerawada Jail, Pune

Yerawada Central Jail was constructed in 1871 by the British. It is another historic jail spread over an area of 512 acres. It is one of the largest jails in South Asia with the capacity to accommodate 5000 prisoners. The main high security jail is guarded by four steep walls and is divided into different security zones and barracks. The jail has egg-shaped cells for high-security prisoners. Several prominent Indian freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Netaji Subhas Bose and Sarojini Naidu have been the inmates of this jail.

Cellular Jail, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Cellular Jail is also called Kala Pani and occupies a special significance in the history of Indian Independence movement. It has witnessed the painful stay of staunch freedom fighters like Batukeshwar Dutt and Veer Savarkar. Today, it hosts a light and sound show in the evening to convey the tale of Indian freedom struggle. The jail is open for tourists from Monday to Friday barring public holidays. The visiting hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

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If there is one place on earth that no tourist would ever like to visit is a jail! But, what if you get a chance to walk into a jail as a free soul and leave at your own whim? There are a few famous j...

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Uttarakhand: Dehradun’s fake call exchange involved in threatening jail superintendent over Mukhtar’s death

The uttarakhand police special task force (stf), on tuesday, disclosed the involvement of a fake call exchange in a threat call made to jail superintendent banda in uttar pradesh after the death of mafia mukhtar ansari. the call was rerouted by an illegal call exchange based in dehradun and the owner of this company is a chartered accountancy student. the accused works for a chinese woman who gives him a hefty commission around three lakhs per day for this deceitful practice..

Dehradun : In the month of March, an unidentified man made a threat call to Banda jail superintendent within hours of mafia Mukhtar Ansari’s death for accusations that Ansari was being poisoned in jail. According to the police, this call was made from a Canadian number. On Tuesday, the Uttarakhand police special task force (STF) arrested a man in Dehradun allegedly facilitating a threat call to SP jail, Banda, Uttar Pradesh.

Threat call was made by transferring Canadian number to local number from a fake call exchange

In a shocking disclosure by STF Uttarakhand, that threatening call was made by transferring a Canadian number to a local number from a fake call exchange in Dehradun. STF busted this fake exchange on Tuesday and arrested the operator.

STF interrogated the matter after UP police information

According to Senior superintendent of police (STF) Ayush Aggarwal, on March 29, Uttar Pradesh’s Banda jail superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma was given a death threat from a telephone number in Dehradun. Afterwards, a case was registered in Banda Kotwali. After detection of the calling number which was from Dehradun, UP Police and telecom department shared this information with STF. During investigation it was found that this number belonged to a company named Spectrum Info Web Solution Pvt. Ltd. In Dehradun.

The accused is CA final stage student

According to STF, the accused Anurag Gupta is a CA final year student who owns this company to reroute international calls. He was apprehended by police after the raid at his office. According to the accused, on March 29, a call was received from Canada for the Banda jail superintendent. He diverted this Canadian number to Doon’s landline number and called the jail superintendent. A case has been registered against the accused in Vasant Vihar police station and he has been sent to jail in judicial custody. The accused was arrested twice in the past by Bihar and Haryana police for running illegal call centers for fraudulent activities.

He switched to BSNL after Jio disconnected the connection

The accused informed that Jio company sensed the foul in his business and disconnected in December 2023, later he took the first PRI line (Primary Rate Interface line, PRI is a standard that enables traditional phone lines to carry multiple lines of voice and data) and a router from BSNL in the same month. This line was taken to forward calls coming from Snow Fly Online Company to customers in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau.

The accused used 500 telephone connection for rerouting the calls

For this, a total of 500 connections were taken along with SIP connection and internet connection through Interweave technology (Interweave is an end-to-end solution for all things computer and technical providing the equipment, installation, service and support). STF seized two laptops, two servers, two CPUs, one monitor, two media converters, one line switch, three modems, seven chargers and connecting wires, one printer and one mobile phone from the spot.

The accused works for a Chinese woman

The accused Anurag revealed that he used to work in value added service for a Chinese telecom company in 2015 where he had set up a server. Through this server, he used to divert VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls coming from abroad to landline and mobile numbers. For this he gets a huge commission from China. During his work in China, he came in contact with a woman named Amanda who runs the Snow Fly online company. Then, they both made an alliance to operate in illegal business. Anurag was told that international calls would be sent to him through the internet which would be converted into local calls and sent to India and other foreign places. According to SSP (STF) Ayush Agarwal, currently he used to earn around Rs 3 lakh every day.

12 Unforgettable Tourist Places to Visit in Uttarakhand

What to See and Do in the Land of Natural Beauty

Uttarakhand, bordered by Nepal and Tibet, and shadowed by towering Himalayan peaks, is full of unspoiled natural beauty. It's divided into two regions—Garhwal in the north, and Kumaon in the south. Ancient holy places, mountains, forests and valleys, and an abundance of trekking options are some of the attractions that make travel to Uttarakhand worthwhile. Check out these top tourist places in Uttarakhand for inspiration.

Uttarakhand is also an excellent place to get off the beaten track. If you're looking for fresh air and tranquility, you'll love some of these boutique Himalayan getaways .

Jim Corbett National Park

One of India's most popular national parks , Jim Corbett National Park is named after hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett. It has dense forest and an array of wildlife, although tiger sightings aren't as common as some other places in India. The park can be explored by jeep or elephant safaris, which take place daily in the early mornings and afternoons. The Dhikala zone of the park is the most panoramic, with stunning valley views. It offers the best chance of animal sightings (which are unfortunately sometimes disappointing). If you're lucky, you might spot wild elephants. 

• Location: About five hours drive northeast of Delhi.
• Check Out Current Corbett Hotel Deals on Tripadvisor and Save

Ancient Haridwar (the "Gateway to God") is one of the seven holiest places in India, and one of the oldest living cities. Located at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, it's particularly popular with Hindu pilgrims who come to take a dip in the holy waters of the fast flowing Ganges River and wash away their sins. The evening Ganga Aarti holds a special appeal.

• Check Out Current Haridwar Hotel Deals on Tripadvisor and Save

Rishikesh, located not far from Haridwar, is as popular with western spiritual seekers as Haridwar is with Hindu pilgrims. Known as the birthplace of yoga, people flock there to meditate, do yoga, and learn about other aspects of Hinduism in the various ashrams and yoga institutes. Despite the growing number of visitors, the town's lanes and alleys retain an old-world charm. It remains a wonderful place to relax and unwind among nature.

• Location: 40 minutes drive northeast of Haridwar.
• Check Out Current Rishikesh Hotel Deals on Tripadvisor and Save

The hill settlement of Nainital, in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, was a popular summer retreat for the British during the time they ruled India. It features emerald colored Nainital (Naini) Lake and an action-filled strip called The Mall, lined with restaurants, shops, hotels, and markets. Enjoy one of the many forest walks, explore the surrounding area on horseback, or relax on a boat in the lake. This destination gets very crowded during summers, especially on weekends, due to its proximity to Delhi. Around Nainital, you'll find Jeolikote, Bhimtal, Ramgarh and Mukteshwar which are ​all less developed and quieter places to stay.

• Location: About 6.5 hours drive east of Delhi.
• Check Out Current Nainital Hotel Deals on Tripadvisor and Save

Mussoorie is another popular weekend destination for north Indians, as well as honeymooners. One of the main reasons for this is because it has a lot of facilities developed especially for tourists. Take a cable car to Gun Hill, enjoy a beautiful nature walk along Camel's Back Road, have a picnic at Kempty Falls, or ride a horse up to Lal Tibba (the highest peak in Mussoorie). Mussoorie also offers a superb view of the Himalayas. If you're looking for a quieter alternative nearby, check out Landour.

• Location: About six hours drive north of Delhi and an hour from Dehradun (Uttarakhand's capital). IRCTC offers a convenient two-night weekend rail tour package from Delhi to Mussoorie.
• Check Out Current Mussoorie Hotel Deals on Tripadvisor and Save

Almora, now the capital of the Kumaon region, was established as the summer capital of Chand kings in 1560. It attracts its share of foreigners who head to nearby Kasar Devi Temple, where Swami Vivekananda meditated. There are some chilled out places to stay in the area, such as Kasar Rainbow Resort and Mohan's Binsar Retreat,  as well as inexpensive guesthouses with private cottages just outside Almora town. Around Almora,​ you'll find the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kausani (where Gandhi spent time writing his  Bhagavad Gita  treatise), Ranikhet and the Jageshwar temple complex.

• Location: About nine hours drive northeast of Delhi.
• Check Out Current Almora Hotel Deals on Tripadvisor and Save

Valley of Flowers National Park

The remarkable landscape of The Valley of Flowers National Park in the Garhwal region comes alive with the monsoon rain. This high-altitude Himalayan valley has around 300 different varieties of alpine flowers, which appear as a bright carpet of color against a mountainous snow-capped background. It's a popular trekking destination, open from the start of June until the end of October.

• Location: About 15 hours drive northeast of Delhi, plus a trek.

Located high up in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, the Char Dham (four temples) mark the spiritual source of four holy rivers: the Yamuna (at Yamunotri), the Ganges (at Gangotri), the Mandakini (at Kedarnath), and the Alaknanda (at Badrinath ). Hindus consider a pilgrimage to the Char Dham to be very auspicious. Not only is it believed to wash away all sins, but it will also ensure release from the cycle of birth and death.

Srijan96/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0

Uttarakhand even has a skiing destination! Auli lies on the way to Badrinath and has a three-kilometer long slope, gondola, chairlift, and Poma ski lift. For skiing, conditions are best from the last week of January to the first week of March. However, it's dependent on good snowfall, which is variable. If you're into trekking, the Kuari Pass trailhead is at Auli. This trek, which passes through Nanda Devi National Park, is one of the state's best and most accessible. Thrillophilia offers six-day guided trips from Haridwar . There are many other hiking trails around too.

Accommodation options in Auli are scarce but Devi Darshan Lodge is recommended if you don't stay at the popular government-run Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Hotel (which offers ski programs). Alternatively, the Himalayan Abode Homestay near Joshimath is excellent, and the host is a skiing and snowboarding champion and coach. Another good option is Himalayan Eco Lodge .

• Location: About 13 hours drive northeast of Delhi, near Joshimath.

Indranil Dutta/Getty Images 

Magical Munsiyari, a small town surrounded by towering mountains in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, is paradise for mountaineers and trekkers. Blazing sunsets create a stunning backdrop of color-stained peaks there. However, the hiking and trekking routes are the biggest draws. Munsiyari is the base for the challenging nine-day Milam Glacier Trek , and the much easier two- to three-hour trek to Khalia Top is another attraction. The Tribal Heritage Museum, filled with artifacts from Munsiyari's trade with Tibet on the ancient salt route, is also worth seeing. Milam Inn , albeit basic, is the best place to stay in Munsiyari and it offers fabulous mountain views from the guest rooms.

• Location: About 16 hours drive northeast of Delhi.

Varun Shiv Kapur/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

Not to be confused with the Chopta Valley in Sikkim, Chopta lies between Kedarnath and Badrinath in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, at the entry to Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. It attracts travelers who want to enjoy the great outdoors away from the crowds and development. Chopta is the starting point for treks to Tungnath temple (open from June to September) and Chandrashila summit. It's a short, yet scenic, moderate trek that can be completed in a day. Notably, the temple is the world's highest Shiva temple. Thrillophilia offers four-day guided trips from Haridwar.

• Location: About 10 hours drive northeast of Delhi, via Rishikesh.

It's likely that you've never heard of Kalap, a tiny remote village that's only accessible by foot, 7,500 feet above sea level in the upper Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. That's because it's totally off the tourist map. A responsible tourism project was established there in 2013 to help improve the livelihoods of the villagers. Kalap is an outstanding place to get away from it all and experience the simplicity of village life or go trekking along trails followed by nomadic shepherds.

• Location: About six hours north of Dehradun in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra Essential Guide

The Complete Guide to Rishikesh, India: the Birthplace of Yoga

Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand: The Complete Guide

The Top 8 Things to Do in Auli, Uttarakhand

Valley of Flowers National Park: The Complete Guide

20 Top Things to Do in Diverse India

12 Major Mountain Ranges in India

Nainital in Uttarakhand: Essential Travel Guide

Spiritual India: 7 Top Destinations You Shouldn't Miss

12 Top Things to Do in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

17 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Rajasthan

16 Best Tourist Destinations in India

13 Exceptional Homestays in India

11 Popular Adventure Travel Activities in India

Haridwar in Uttarakhand: Essential Travel Guide

Your Ultimate Trip to India: The Complete Guide

Oklahoma man facing 12 years in Turks & Caicos prison released on bond, banned from travel

Ryan watson made bail a couple weeks after he was detained and arrested for ammo possession in turks & caicos. but he's not allowed to leave..

An American man facing 12 years in prison in Turks & Caicos after airport security found ammunition in his duffel bag won’t have to spend one more night in jail . For now.

Ryan Watson, 40, appeared before a court on Wednesday, agreeing to pay $15,000 to secure his release, according to a news alert from The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force. 

The court granted Watson's release about two weeks after he was initially detained and arrested. He's being released with a slew of stipulations, including being prohibited from leaving the archipelago nation. He also had to surrender his passport and travel documents to the court, and needs to report to police twice a week as his case moves through the system.

His next court hearing is set for June 7.

Here’s what we know.

Why were Ryan and Valerie Watson detained in the Turks and Caicos?

Ryan and Valerie Watson were in Turks & Caicos to celebrate the 40th birthdays of several friends in early April, USA TODAY reported.

The couple was trying to catch a flight back home on April 12, when airport security found four rounds of ammunition “unknowingly left in a duffel bag from a deer hunting trip,” according to a GoFundMe post made on behalf of the family. 

They were both questioned and subsequently charged with possession of ammunition, a charge that carries a minimum of 12 years in prison in Turks & Caicos.

The couple was stuck on the island without passports, unable to get back to their two young children, which left Valerie Watson “terrified.” 

“We can't both be in prison for 12 years. We have kids at home," she told WBTS-TV in Boston  "And this is such an innocent mistake that we ... didn't even know it was there. So yeah, my immediate thought was our kids and them being parentless for that long."

Ryan Watson maintains that it was a “bonehead mistake” on his part, not knowing that the ammunition rounds he typically uses to hunt whitetail deer were in his bag, the outlet reported.

Ultimately, the charges were dropped against Valerie Watson, who has returned to Oklahoma.

Oklahoma governor vouches for family: ‘Outstanding members of the community’ 

Days after the Watson family was detained, Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt sent a letter to the Turks & Caicos Islands government in an attempt to get the home sooner.

“The Watsons are upstanding members of their community and the State of Oklahoma, and I can assure you countless others stand willing to confirm their high moral characters,” Stitt said.

He continued to say that the couple would never “intentionally break the law,” emphasizing the importance of having them return to Oklahoma so they can continue to serve the community, Valerie as a school teacher and Ryan as a medical product salesman.

 And so that their children, Van and Ellie, don’t have to face another day without both parents, he said.

Family creates GoFundMe to bring Ryan Watson home 

Close friends have created a GoFundMe on behalf of the Watson family to cover the costs of “mounting legal fees, living expenses, and the overwhelming stress of their situation.” 

Valerie Watson said that the strain her family is under is tremendous, telling WBTS-TV that it could “ruin them.” 

“We've already talked, and we're like, what if we lose our house? Which, when we moved to Oklahoma, we built a home that we thought was our forever home,” she said. 

The sentiment was echoed by Ryan Watson, who says “this is something that we may never recover from.” 

“The emotional and financial toll is immense, and they are at risk of losing everything,” the fundraiser description reads. 

The GoFundMe had raised about $196,000 of the $250,000 goal by Friday night. 

What happens next?

Valerie Watson and her children are awaiting her husband’s next court appearance, set for June 7.

Even though Ryan Watson “forgot” about the ammunition in his bag, he may not be able to leave the Turks & Caicos Islands without serving time. The government prohibits anyone, of status or origin, to possess a firearm, ammunition, or any other weapon.

There are exceptions to this, of course, but the court is still required to issue “both a sentence of imprisonment and a fine” that are in line with what the court would consider an “exceptional circumstance,” USA TODAY reported. 

The Turks & Caicos government stiffened the penalties for firearm possession in February, noting that there were a handful of cases involving "exceptional circumstances" that allowed accused people to get away with paying a fine. “exceptional circumstances."

An Oklahoma tourist says he faces 12 years in prison in the Caribbean after he mistakenly left 4 bullets from a hunting trip in his carry-on duffel bag

• Ryan Watson was on vacation when he was charged with illegally carrying ammo into Turks and Caicos.
• He and his wife, Valerie, say the four bullets in their duffel bag were unknowingly left there from a hunting trip.
• Watson now faces 12 years in prison, alongside several US tourists charged for similar offenses.

An Oklahoma man traveling with his wife in the Caribbean territory of Turks and Caicos faces 12 years in prison after four rounds of ammunition were found in his luggage.

Ryan and Valerie Watson arrived in Turks and Caicos earlier this month to celebrate his 40th birthday with several other couples, their families said in a GoFundMe. NBC Boston reported that the Watsons arrived on April 7.

But the pair, who have two young children, were arrested in the self-governed British territory after airport security found the four bullets in their carry-on duffel bag.

Their families' GoFundMe said the ammo had been left in the bag unintentionally, and was from a prior deer hunting trip.

"They were hunting ammunition rounds that I use for white-tailed deer, and I recognized them, and I thought: 'Oh, what a mistake.' I had no idea that they were in there," Ryan Watson told NBC News.

Valerie Watson was released from the charges on Tuesday and flew back to Oklahoma to reunite with her children.

But her husband remains in Turks and Caicos, and was granted $15,000 bail the day after by the local supreme court, according to a police statement.

He now faces 12 years in prison, which is the minimum custodial sentence for bringing firearms or ammunition into Turks and Caicos.

Ryan Watson must stay on the islands and report twice a week to a local police station while waiting for his hearing, which is set for June 7.

Meanwhile, his family is trying to raise $300,000 for his legal fees and housing in the Caribbean.

"Isolated from their family, friends, and children, they face mounting legal fees, living expenses, and the overwhelming stress of their situation," their GoFundMe reads. "The emotional and financial toll is immense, and they are at risk of losing everything."

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"We were trying to pack board shorts and flip flops," Valerie Watson told CBS News . "Packing ammunition was not at all our intent."

The Watsons did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider through their GoFundMe.

Eight US tourists prosecuted since February

It is illegal to bring firearms or ammunition into Turks and Caicos, and penalties apply regardless of the offender's status or country of origin, according to the local attorney general's chambers.

Several tourists caught under this law were previously let off with just a fine, while at least one was given a prison sentence under the minimum limit.

But in February, a court of appeal ordered that all offenders be given at least the minimum sentence of 12 years in prison.

At least eight tourists from the US have since been prosecuted under this rule, per the attorney general's chambers.

Another American tourist, 31-year-old Tyler Wenrich , was charged on Tuesday with possessing ammunition after he arrived in Turks and Caicos on a cruise ship, according to local police.

"While going through a security checkpoint, it was discovered Mr Wenrich allegedly had ammunition in his possession," a police statement said.

Amid the recent spate of tourist arrests, the US State Department published a September advisory warning US citizens that it wouldn't be able to secure their release if they brought firearms and ammo into Turks and Caicos.

"We strongly encourage you to carefully check your luggage for stray ammunition or forgotten weapons before departing for TCI," the advisory said.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Tourism is a key revenue for Turks and Caicos, and in 2019 provided about $787 million, or 65% of the island's GDP, to the territory, per a 2023 report by the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce.

The Caribbean archipelago is a popular port of call for US cruise ships, and this year has seen a 127% jump in tourist arrivals — the largest increase in the world — compared to 2019, the United Nations World Tourism Organization said in February.

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Uttarakhand: IAF chopper takes water from Bhimtal lake to douse forest fires; CM to hold meeting in Haldwani | Watch

From november 1 last year till now, a total of 575 incidents of forest fire have been reported in uttarakhand.

An IAF chopper on Saturday collected water from Bhimtal Lake to douse forest fires in Uttarakhand.

ANI news agency shared a video showing an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter taking water from Bhimtal as several hectares of forest in the Uttarakhand region has been gripped in the fire.

The Uttarakhand government has roped in the Indian Army and IAF in controlling the fire in Nainital and other nearby regions.

On IAF chopper dousing the forest fires, Nainital Municipal Corporation Executive Officer Rahul Anand said, "Fire is reported in Nainital in many places, including very close to the Air Force Station in the district. The main purpose of bringing in helicopters to douse the fire was to keep the Air Force Station safe... The situation is under control now. Efforts are continuing."

The district administration has banned boating in Naini Lake because of the blaze.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has acknowledged the severity and said he would be holding a meeting with the stakeholders in Haldwani on Saturday.

"The forest fires are a challenge for us. This is a big fire. We are working for all the essential needs. We have asked for help from the Army... I am going to conduct a meeting in Haldwani today. We have conducted a meeting in Dehradun also regarding this. We will try to control the fire as soon as possible," Dhami said.

Char Dham Yatra 2024: Online registration now open! Here's how to apply

Yesterday, forest fires became more severe with the flames reaching the High Court Colony in Nainital.

According to the daily bulletin issued by the Forest Department here, 26 incidents of forest fire occurred in the state's Kumaon region in the last 24 hours, while five incidents occurred in Garhwal region, where 33.34 hectares of forest area was affected.

Nainital Divisional Forest Officer Chandrashekhar Joshi said, "We have deployed 40 Manora Range personnel and two forest rangers to extinguish the fire."

PM Modi says 'this decade belongs to Uttarakhand', outlines plans for tourism

From November 1 last year till now, a total of 575 incidents of forest fire have been reported in the state, affecting 689.89 hectares of forest area and costing the state than ₹ 14 lakh.

Supreme Court raps Uttarakhand govt for not taking action against Patanjali

Meanwhile, three men were arrested and sent to jail for allegedly starting forest fires in two different areas of Jakholi and Rudraprayag.

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