National Security Minister retired Brig Edmund Dillon has said while discussions were still ongoing regarding granting prisons officers firearms, he could not commit to a time frame as to when this will be implemented. He was speaking at a press conference after a meeting with the top brass of the Prisons Service at the Golden Grove Prison, Arouca, yesterday.
While saying that safety for prisons officers was at the fore of the meeting Dillon refused to divulge initiatives. Also high on the agenda was Monday’s brazen killing of prisons superintendent David Millette who was gunned down in the driveway of his Morvant home in what prisons officials have described as a “hit” from behind prison walls.
However, Dillon said yesterday’s meeting was not as a result of the slaying but rather it was always his intention to meet with the prisons’ executive. Pressed further when talks regarding the issuing of firearms would be finalised Dillon said: “I would not commit myself to a time frame. I would say it is being considered as a number of measures.”
The minister said short-term measures would include protecting prisons officers as they continued to carried out their functions. He said other issues discussed yesterday included that of overcrowding of all prisons, in particular that of the Remand Yard and infrastructural development.
“I have taken on board some recommendations from the Prisons Commissioner which we will be discussed and further developed as we go ahead. This discussion is part of information-gathering as we form the strategic balance.
“I prefer not to disclose those recommendations but I can assure that they would be favourably considered based on justification, on resources and the ability so to do,” Dillon added.
He said his ministry was also “treating with the reality on the ground,” as the police also had their work cut out. In a pledge to reaffirm his Government’s commitment to members of the protective services Dillon praised the Prisons Service for an excellent job at prison rehabilitation and reform.
“We re committed to ensure they get what is required to do their jobs effectively and efficiently. It certainly gives me no comfort at this time to say there are a number of social problems plaguing our society at this time and we have seen that manifested in crime and criminality throughout T&T,” Dillon said.
He said the Government and by extension the National Security Ministry would be moving quickly to restore confidence in not only the society but also in th Prisons Commissioner and his executive... in the Defence Force as the State continues to build capacity and treat with the many issues it is confronted with.
“As we go forward I want to ensure the national community that as minister that this Government has really articulated that we are adopting a whole of Government approach which transcends into the Ministry of National Security,” Dillon said.
He said that meant all institutions of the national security framework, including the Police Service, forensics, prisons and immigration, would be brought to bear to treat with the issues of crime and criminality. On why he has not yet met with the association Dillon said this was his intention but his first order of business was to meet with the prisons executive.