Female prisoners lock themselves in

On Sunday, the inmates used several devices to interfere with the lock system inside the prison and began banging on their cell doors shouting, spraying debris on the corridor while others stood in their dormitories and began threatening prison officers claiming that they were fed up of what they described as inhumane condition. Some of the prisoners claimed that they continued to be treated like animals and are forced to defecate in slop pails when there are toilet facilities available, the use of which they are denied. The inmates also complained of constantly being locked down and added that this is causing them to become more frustrated. Between Sunday and yesterday the female prison remained under lock down and under the close surveillance of prison officers because of the action taken by female prisoners. Yesterday, a female prisoner contacted Newsday and said that they have been clamouring for better conditions, better bed space, improvement in the food and for simple things like toiletries to be afforded to those who could not purchase it, and added that these complaints had fallen on deaf ears.

The prisoner admitted that they used devices to block entry into their cell after their action on Sunday and feared that they will be beaten with batons if prison officers had access to them. Due to cell block area being jammed, prisoners were unable to be taken out of their cells and in some instances food and other supplies could not be given to them. Airing out could not be given tot he inmates and up to midday yesterday the situation had remained the same.

Newsday understands that the manpower strength at the women’s prison has not been doubled to restore calm and order in that section. Prison officers who also spoke to Newsday said that they understood the plight of the inmates and were hoping for an intervention from the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of National Security. Officers added that the situation at the Women’s prison has been tense for quite a while and they believe the conditions could be improved.

Attempts to reach Ministry of National Security Edmund Dillon the matter proved futile but Newsday understands that a report being taken by the female prisoners have been sent to him.

Yesterday Ceron Richards President of the Prison Officers Association opted not to reassure Newsday of his officers’ would deal inhumanely or insensitive with the inmates but instead gave his full support to the Prisons Commissioner retaking control of the Prison.

He said steps are being taken to treat with the situation and he anticipated a return to normalcy soon. “I can’t pre-empt the methodology to be used,” he told Newsday when pressed as to whether the officers would show sensitivity to the women inmates’ fears of being beaten by the officers.

“The Commissioner of Prisons must take steps to arrest the situation and return it to normalcy. The Commissioner of Prisons has a duty of care to the public and must do all he can to regain control.”