Acting Prisons Commissioner William Alexander says whatever action is needed to protect the lives of his colleagues should be taken, even if that means arming them with guns while off duty.
Speaking at a joint press conference with acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams at Police Administration, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, Alexander admitted his officers were under attack and was assured by Williams that all such reports were being treated seriously.
But Alexander urged his colleagues not to lose hope and remember why they became prison officers. Asked about prison officers being given guns, Alexander said the issue was greater than getting guns.
“T&T is a small place and we have to be wise enough. It’s like playing poker, it is not wise to expose your hand. Criminals look at television, there are televisions in the prisons, it is not wise to say publicly whether we armed or not. Whatever is necessary for their safety it will be done.”
He said although it is difficult to connect the killing of a prison officer to their job, they were recently able to do so with the use of technology. He said as a result of this the officer’s family received the $1 million government payout for officers who lose their lives in the line of duty. He, however, refused to identify the case.
The joint conference came following a meeting the two had with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and acting National Security Minister Stewart Young.
Williams said he has mandated that reports from prison officers be treated as “priority number one”. Asked about the investigation into the recent murder of prison officer Glenford Gardner, Williams said three Diego Martin men held in connection with the case were released but said the investigation is ongoing.
“We want to give the prison officers the assurance that we will not be standing aside while they are under attack. The TTPS sees the prison service as part of the family of law enforcement. We have to be able to team up together to address the criminal elements. We have to be strong and have to stand up and as society we cannot allow the criminals to win any battle,” Williams said.
Alexander also called on Prison Officers Association president Ceron Richards to stop making what he called “irresponsible” and “divisive” comments, noting blaming the Government for the plight of prison officers will only strengthen the criminal elements. He said the comments are creating more harm than good as the prison service deals with the threats facing officers.
The POA will meet with National Security Minister Edmund Dillon today to discuss what legislative support can be given to officers.
The POA last week petitioned the Canadian Embassy seeking asylum for its members following the killings of Gardner and Roger Sandy.
Gardner, 44, was killed on October 26 at one of his homes in Bagatelle, Diego Martin. Weeks before, Sandy was killed by an ex-convict at a bar in South Trinidad a day before his birthday. Gardner was killed hours after the Remand Yard prison was searched and cell phones and other contraband seized. Shortly after the raids there was a threat that officers living in in West Trinidad would be targeted.