(Trinidad Express) Saying she was deeply concerned by recent developments in the nation’s prisons, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday appointed “a special committee to investigate and address issues emanating from both prison officers and prisoners themselves”.
The nine-member Special Prisons Committee, which is a who’s who of the country’s national security, will also include a representative of the prison population.
The committee is chaired by Prof Ramesh Deosaran.
The committee, which falls under the remit of the Justice Ministry, is tentatively carded to have its first meeting today.
“The Prime Minister said she had been personally monitoring the on-going situation at the Golden Grove State Prison and stated she was deeply concerned over recent and continuing developments related to the prison and to the situation in general,” a release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated yesterday.
The shooting death of off-duty prison officer Andy Rogers has started a domino-effect in the nation’s prisons.
Prison officers have called for greater protection from State.
“The Prime Minister also met two months ago with representatives of the Prison Officers Association to hear their concerns, which included a call for prison officers to be given firearms while off-duty, and for them to be afforded houses,” the release stated.
On the other hand prisoners have claimed that their human rights are being infringed.
“The Prime Minister has also been advised that some of the urgent issues presented included concerns about overcrowding in prisons, a lack of available transportation to court, no airing or recreation time for prisoners, and the cancellation of visitation rights of families and friends,” the release stated.
The Special Prisons Committee is mandated to “investigate and address” the concerns.
“The Committee falls under the remit of the Ministry of Justice. The first meeting is tentatively fixed for Tuesday, November 19, 2013,” the release stated.
The Prison Service falls under the remit of the Justice Ministry.
Justice Minister Emmanuel George is a member of the committee.
The committee consists of the following people:
1) Prof Ramesh Deosaran—
Chairman
2) The Commissioner of
Prisons—Martin Martinez
3) Inspector of Prisons—Daniel
Khan
4) Minister of National
Security—Gary Griffith
5) Minister of Justice—
Emmanuel George
6) Commissioner of Police—
Stephen Williams
7) Attorney Wayne Sturge
8) A representative of the pris-
on population.
9) General secretary of the
Prison Officers’ Association
