POA: Benefit of centralised prison campus unproven

Prison Officers’ Association (POA) president Gerald Gordon says while the association supports the State’s long-standing goal to modernise the correctional environment, any such initiative must proceed with “caution, clarity, and genuine consultation.”

Gordon was speaking with Newsday on November 7 about the government’s proposal to demolish all existing prisons and construct a central “justice centre” in Tamana as part of the government’s ambitious national infrastructural development plan unveiled on November 6.

Gordon said the concept of consolidation and modernisation could bring benefits such as standardised services, improved infrastructure, and better access to specialised treatment. However, he warned the wholesale relocation and demolition of current facilities present serious logistical, financial, social, and operational risks.

“We are yet to be satisfied that this proposal is grounded in robust research, cost-benefit analysis, or feasibility studies,” Gordon said. “Such a major shift in our nation’s correctional landscape cannot be pursued simply because it appears modern or aligns with international models: it must reflect our geographical, social, cultural, and security realities.”

Asked if the POA believes the proposal is practical or beneficial, Gordon said, “At this stage, practicality has not been demonstrated.” He explained prison population is uniquely distributed, and centralising all correctional operations in one location could create challenges.

Challenges he outlines include access, emergency response, staff commute, and court logistics.

“In theory, a modern purpose-built environment could be beneficial, but only if designed with the operational needs of officers, the rehabilitation reality of inmates, and the local context in mind. The concept may be appealing, but its practical benefit is still unproven.”

Gordon said a centralised prison would drastically affect officers' commute distances, transport costs, staff housing, family life, and officer well-being, while also raising safety and support-service concerns.

“Given the already high pressures on officers, relocation must be evaluated carefully. Officers cannot be treated as afterthoughts in the correctional equation: quality outcomes are determined by the strength and stability of the workforce.”

He added housing all categories of inmates, including high-risk, vulnerable, mentally ill, juvenile, male and female populations in one facility, raises serious issues.

Issues highlighted include segregation, classification, gang management, disease spread, system vulnerability, and reduced family access.

“International best practice is now trending away from mega-facilities and instead toward smaller, specialised, regional campuses that ensure improved safety, service delivery, and reintegration. One large facility may appear efficient in theory, but it may compromise security, rehabilitation, and humane treatment.”

Gordon said the POA has not been consulted on the proposed justice centre. “We maintain no correctional reform can succeed without deep engagement of frontline practitioners.”

He stressed officers bring generations of institutional knowledge on security, human behaviour, rehabilitation, and operational practice. He emphasised the association is ready and willing to contribute "meaningfully" if invited.

Gordon said the association supports the integration of modern security technology, AI surveillance, biometric access, and digital tracking, alongside proper classification and separation units and a dedicated mental health and therapeutic services campus.

He also called for an on-site medical centre linked to national health systems, vocational and rehabilitation industries, renewable energy systems, officer housing, and a training academy.

"Staff wellness programmes, digital case-management systems integrated with the courts, and a reliable transport fleet – these are not luxuries, they are necessities,” he added.

Asked if he believes a mid-2026 construction start is realistic, Gordon described the timeline as “extremely ambitious, likely unrealistic.” He said the State must first produce feasibility and impact studies, security assessments, and land-use and environmental reports. He added design and stakeholder reviews, financial modelling, legislative updates, and public consultations are required.

“None of these have yet been presented,” he said.

On managing the transition, Gordon said it must be phased over several years to maintain operational continuity and provide housing and transport support for officers. Additionally, he said it must ensure uninterrupted rehabilitation services and include transparent timelines and strict risk-management oversight.

“Crucially, nothing should begin without consultation with prison officers,” he stressed.

Gordon reiterated the POA supports modernisation and well-planned reform, but any transformative initiative must be backed by evidence, informed by frontline experience, economically sound, locally relevant, and properly phased.

“A prison is not a building: it is a system of people. If we fail to design with truth in mind, we will repeat the mistakes of the past in a more expensive structure.”

He reaffirmed the POA stands ready to participate in meaningful dialogue to ensure TT develops a correctional model that enhances safety, rehabilitation, and national development.