Correct officer-to-prisoner ratio during Golden Grove incident

SENATOR Clarence Rambharat says there was the correct officer-to-prisoner ration during an incident in Golden Grove in January.

He was responding to a question in Senate on Tuesday from Opposition Senator Wade Mark who asked about the appropriate ratio of prison officers to inmates at the nation’s prisons in light of reports that in January, several officers had to seek medical attention after they were violently confronted by about 217 inmates at the Golden Grove Prison, Arouca.

Rambharat said according to information provided by the Commissioner of Prisons, the ratio of prison officers to inmates depends upon the threat and risk factors of inmates as well as the different circumstances at the nation’s prisons.

He reported during “lockdown”, when inmates are in the confines of their cell routine patrols are conducted every 15 minutes throughout the day and night by one to two officers.

He said when an inmate is not within the confines of a cell, the ratio of prison officers to inmates is: one to seven when inmates are allowed to leave the institution to do work externally such as cutting trees for different communities and planting of gardens to supplement food for the prisons; and 12-15 to an average of 150-200 during the one-hour outdoor recreation time allotted to inmates.

Rambharat said there is also an Emergency Response Unit in place at all prisons to quell disturbances.

“The Government is satisfied that the ratio of prison officers to inmates meet applicable standards and that ratio will be raised from time to time depending on particular circumstances.”

Mark asked what was the strength of officers during the time of the January incident. Rambharat replied on that day, and in general, the ratio was the one applicable at the time.

Mark then asked if the ratio was applicable within international standards and Rambharat replied it was applicable within local prisons and local circumstances.