Officers: SoE worsening already bad conditions at prisons

PRESIDENT of the Prison Officers Association (POA) Gerard Gordon says while he is not opposed to efforts aimed at tackling the country’s crime challenges, these measures have only contributed to the further decline of the Prison Service, which is lacking necessary and critical support.

Gordon made the statement via a release on Facebook on January 7.

He claimed the government had overseen the decline of the nation's prisons, which have a myriad of well-documented problems, now worsened by the state of emergency (SoE).

"The nation's prisons are under-resourced, over-burdened and littered with infrastructural deficiencies.

"Now in the SoE (they) expect to use the same decrepit institutions to hold and treat detainees and those arrested."

On December 30, President Christine Kangaloo declared a SoE under section 8 of the Constitution.

A statement bearing the President’s seal explained the implementation of the SoE was based on the advice of the police to the National Security Council – which is headed by the Prime Minister – in response to spiralling crime levels which have been deemed a public health emergency.

It was also announced on December 30 that sweeping police powers of search and arrest would be in effect, although there would be no curfew or restrictions on public gatherings.

Last year, the country saw 624 murders, which included a surge in mass killings, including 33 double homicides, eight triple homicides, four quadruple homicides, and two horrific incidents involving the murder of five people. Tobago also experienced a record high number of murders – 26.

Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher, in a release on January 4, said 126 people had been arrested within the first five days of the SoE.

Gordon said at present, no prison in the country could ensure efficient and effective operations.

"The facilities identified by the Detention of Persons Directions 2025 are all in various states of disrepair.

"Our members more times than not have to use their minuscule salaries to purchase items and repair equipment to have operations continue."

He said the ministry's poor management shows the government does not understand how to run correctional institutions or their role in reducing crime and repeat offences.

Gordon is hopeful that prison officers will get the needed support soon.

"It is our hope that we can be properly resourced...to ensure the SoE puts our nation on the right track.

"... (It) certainly can add tremendous value to increasing public safety and confidence in our nation's institutions."