PSC clears up promotion issues

Expressing concern to President of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) Ceron Richards’ allegations as reported in the media on criteria for promotion of prison officers, the PSC in a release yesterday said, “Educational qualifications and seniority are two of several criteria that must be considered.” However, the PSC added, the two are not mutually exclusive as Richards seems to suggest.

The PSC quoted Richards as saying that promotions were based on, “superior qualifications as opposed to seniority”, and the PSC was, “acting outside its remit and without consultation with the POA.” The point system, referred to by Richards, the PSC said, was developed in 2011 by the PSC in consultation with the Commissioner of Prisons and the POA, as a method for the application of the criteria stipulated in Regulation 172.

The Commission is now reviewing the Points System and is currently considering recommendations of both the Commissioner of Prisons and the POA. The PSC said it is committed to a fair and transparent method of promotion and to a consultative approach involving the Commissioner of Prisons and the prison officers’ association regarding the point system for assessment for promotion of officers in the Second Division.

Expressing its appreciation to the Commissioner of Prisons and the prison officers association for their support, the PSC said, prison officers are reassured that the PSC has always been guided by Regulation 172 in making promotions and would continue its consultative approach.