Justice Minister Prakash Ramadhar says prisons officers have already started receiving training on portable scanners which will be implemented soon. Ramadhar also said he had given instructions to the Commissioner of Prisons to use his discretion to arm prisons officers.
Ramadhar was speaking to reporters following the launch of the Digital Legislative Library by his ministry, an online resource containing all the existing laws of T&T. “The portable scanners are already here and the training has already started to ensure that it goes into operation as soon as possible,” Ramadhar said. He said that was in addition to upgrades to CCTV’s in the Port-of-Spain prison.
Ramadhar said it would be reckless to give additional information on the equipment but said everything would be implemented within the two-month time frame he had given last month. “If one appreciates the time frame for procurement in the country I think we have done incredibly well from the time I took responsibility as minister,” he added. He said although work had been engaged long before, it was a highly technical thing but was relieved they were here.
In 2013 Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar promised to acquire jammers and grabbers to deal with the use of mobile phones by prisoners in T&T’s jails. Ramadhar said part of the shipment of jammers and grabbers was already in the country. “It is regrettable that in the past it had not been seen as a higher priority in former administrations. We saw it as a need but we do things by proper process.
“We need to fix the process and make it more efficient which we have done with the creation of the Crime and Justice Committee within the Cabinet. He said the committee brought all the stakeholders together so that decisions could be taken together. “It has worked well for us that is why we have been able to constrict the timelines for procurement and delivery,” he added.
Association responds
Yesterday, president of the Prison Officers Association, Cerron Richards, in a telephone interview said he was unaware that officers had already begun training. “We hope it’s true. I’m not aware. I have been hearing talk recently. I have not seen any scanners or grabbers.” In response to Ramadhar’s instructions to arm officers, Richards said that was nothing new.
“The Commissioner of Prisons has the power to arm officers. That is ongoing. We have asked for it to be accelerated for more officers. “The association found there was tardiness in the approach to arming officers. They are the administrators,” he added.