POA head: Open season on prison officers

Head of the Prison Officers Association (POA) Ceron Richards says he is holding the Ministry of National Security fully accountable for the murder of prisons officer Glenford Gardener outside his Diego Martin home early yesterday morning.

Newsday spoke to Richards yesterday in which he said the State’s failure to address security threats against prisons officers was an open invitation for criminals to continue their attacks on members of the protective services.

“The murder of prisons officers has always been a major concern to the association and it’s only now we’re seeing how unresponsive the State has been in these matters. We have been in this situation not too long ago and we have made numerous attempts to meet with the Minister of National Security to address these issues but to no avail. They have essentially declared open season on officers.”

For his part, acting Commissioner of Prisons William Alexander said while he is concerned over the killing, he did not feel prison officers are being targeted any more than any other group in National Security.

“We need to realise that we as a country are facing a crime epidemic. Just last week a soldier was gunned down so I do not feel as if prisons officers are being singled out specifically. At this time we must all present a united front to deal with the threats against us as citizens,” Alexander said.

He also called on prison officers to find solace in God and urged them to find the courage and conviction to continue their duties as best as they can. Asked if there are any additional security measures in place at the Port of Spain Remand Yard facility after alleged threats were made to prisons officers after a search was conducted, Alexander said that the issue is being investigated. He urged all officers to exercise caution in their daily duties and also issued a warning to criminals to think twice before attacking prison officers.

“We heard the voice-note and while we are uncertain whether it was connected to the murder of Officer Gardener I can however confirm that an investigation is being launched into the matter. I would ask all my officers to be vigilant as you continue to engage with inmates and to those evil persons who may have intentions to attack prisoners, know that we are your caretakers when you live your life and come into our prison, we are the ones that need to feed you and seek your best interests.”

Yesterday the Minister of National Security issued a press release in which he condemned Gardener’s murder and said that such attacks against members of the protective services would not be tolerated. The release added that the Prison service and the Police Service were treating the matter with the utmost urgency.