Prison Association sounds alarm over security issues

The POA head revealed that the Maximum Security Prison, which holds several of the country’s highrisk inmates, does not have an alarm system, and have been operating without one since 2013.

“Fundamental to the security of any prison in any part of the world __ worse yet for a maximum security prison __ is a functioning alarm system,” said Richards.

“And would you believe that over the past year and more we have this prison operating without an alarm system? So if there is an issue occurring in that prison, officers have no way of notifying or raising an alarm which can cause a reasonable response to treat with issues of emergency.” Richards said although the issue has been raised on several occasions by the association, their pleas have been falling on deaf ears. The lack of an alarm system is just one of the several issues that has been raised by the Association over the years. Prison officers have also been clamouring for basic equipment like the lack of stab proof vests.

Richards expressed frustration with the response of Minister of National Security, Edmund Dillon, to their requests.