Prison officer reports threat by inmates

A 29-YEAR-OLD prison officer assigned to the remand section of the Maximum Security Prison went to the Arouca Police Station on Saturday and reported a death threat made by a remand prisoner awaiting trial for murder.

The officer told police that at 10.30 am on Saturday, he was supervising the repair of some electrical work in the remand section when a prisoner requested that repairs be done to an electrical outlet inside the prisoner’s cell.

The officer refused and an argument ensued. During the exchange of words, the prisoner reportedly told the officer, “I will make you well-known to the public. I have some young boys here who will deal with you.”

The officer reported the matter to his senior officer and was advised to lodge a report at the Arouca police station. For the past two weeks, four prison officers have reported death threats to the Arouca police. Commissioner of Prisons Gerard Wilson said all officers have been advised to take threats seriously in the aftermath of murders of several prison officers for the year.