Wilson works to 'enhance prison experience'

Prisons Commissioner Gerard Wilson has said the Prison Service is working to ensure "an improved experience" in prisons for inmates, their visitors, and agents of the service.

In the fourth episode of Conversations with the Commissioner, shown live on Facebook this morning, Gerard Wilson answered a number of questions submitted online by the public in what he called an effort to help dispel rumours, while informing the public on steps being taken to improve the service.

Among the issues discussed was visitation.

"We are working to improve customer service, to make it a more comfortable experience for everyone," he said, through increased customer-service training for prison officers and improving the dispensary to provide a wider range of options for inmates, especially those with diseases such as diabetes. The dispensary will also ensure more food options and other items are available for inmates until they are visited by family, or for those who are not visited by anyone.

Wilson said an accelerated line for senior citizens and people living with disabilities will be implemented.

The development of the psychology department was also discussed. This. he said. would cater to the psychological needs of inmates, and will also be made available for prison officers in need of both psychological assessments and therapy. He said those interested in working in the psychology department, and in positions as prison officers may apply through the Service Commission Department.

He also mentioned the development of a physiotherapy unit which will make treatment available to agents of the Prisons Service, and will also take requests from other arms of the protective services for treatment at discounted rates.

For the Carnival season, Wilson said the prison service band is already booked for a number of events, including the annual station calypso competition, usually held in Woodford Square, Port of Spain. He said arrangements are also being made to have inmates join in the Carnival season by training them in wirebending and other trades.

The continued efforts to improve the facilities available to inmates, he said, will take further shape with the introduction of individual toilets in cells, a project which should begin in April, and upgraded visiting rooms.