No visiting — Prison officer funeral

THE EDITOR: It is with much sadness that I write to you to express my feelings at the scant courtesy for the public which I encountered on Thursday March 24, 2005. It goes to show that a man is guilty and should be treated like scum once he is in prison. But then that depends on who the man is because some people are treated better than others. I am the stepmother of a young man who is presently at the Remand Yard of the Port-of-Spain prison. For those who may not be aware, prisoners on remand are afforded two visits per week. I made sure to visit him on the Monday and withheld my second visit for Thursday as I knew it was a long weekend and he would need foodstuff for the four days.

As usual I bought him a regular supply of fresh fruit (which by the way is the only item that can be purchased outside the prison’s canteen) and headed along to visit him at 8 am promptly that morning. I was aware that the funeral for the murdered prison officer was being held on that day, hence the reason I made all efforts to be there on time when the gates opened. To my surprise, when I reached the prison there was a large poster greeting me at the gate which stated that no visits were allowed due to the funeral service of the prison officer. I was very upset because I travelled from deep south. What was even more disrespectful was when I heard someone condone the behaviour of the authorities by stating that it came over the news the evening before.

That is not good enough! Visits are closed at 12 noon so that could not have been done in the interest of anyone wishing to visit their loved ones and purchase them “bags” for the long Easter weekend. I wish to ask the Commissioner of Prisons how he could have allowed this. I am employed in San Fernando and if a co-worker dies we dare not shut down the entire place. I am sure not every prison officer was a good friend of the deceased but I could remember seeing them packing their trunk with alcohol in front the prison as they left for the funeral that day. Seems to me it was just an opportunity for another day off.

SHIRLEY BOBB
Penal