Prisoners’ hunger strike ends

He said that while the situation at the remand section is tense, things are back to normal.

According to the commissioner, after talks with the inmates, normalcy returned about 8.30 pm on Thursday.

Prisoners started accepting meals on Thursday night and yesterday they returned to airing out.

The commissioner also revealed that based on intelligence information gathered, the remand prisoners were collecting biscuits, juices, water and other items from the prison canteen in preparation for the hunger strike.

He added that while they were not accepting food from the prison, the prisoners were eating their biscuits and drinking water and juices.

The Commissioner noted that only one prisoner had fainting spells on Thursday but was treated and is back to normal.

The prisoners complained about the delay in getting a court date at the high court for their matters to be heard, the hot and unbearable conditions in the prison vans to transport them to court, the non-existing privacy when relatives visit and the food being served at the prison coupled with prison conditions.

Rougier pointed out that the concerns of the prisoners are valid and are being addressed.

He also revealed that the police and officers of the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) were told to be on standby in the event that the situation was not resolved.