Denham Town Police lock-up to resume visitations on Sunday

 

 

 

The Denham Town Police say family visitation is expected to resume on Sunday following Wednesday's violent clash between the police and detainees at the lock-up.

 

The police were forced to suspend visitation by relatives of detainees following the disturbance, which resulted in several police officers and prisoners being injured.

 

Deputy Superintendent Justin Woolcock, head of the Denham Town Police, told Radio Jamaica News that the police had to use force to quell the disturbance.

 

"At the start of the visit yesterday, the police went into cell number three to retrieve some items that include the personal effects, clothes to send them back to the relatives as well as containers for their meals. During that process, the police was attacked by occupants of cell number three and some waste materials thrown on the police. 

 

"They also barricaded themselves and compromised the safety of the lock-ups in that...after the lock was removed, they tied up the cells and caused some damage to the infrastructure. However, the police quickly brought the situation under control. Sadly, force had to be used. Less lethal force was used and the situation was quickly brought under control," he advised.

 

DSP Woolcock said four police officers and nine prisoners were injured in the fracas. 

 

"All have since been treated at the Kingston Public Hospital and are returned."

 

Disgruntled relatives staged a second day of protest on Wednesday infront of the station, but DSP Woolcock said visitation will resume this weekend.

 

"All things being equal, coming Sunday morning all visits for the inmates will resume. We regret that that was the situation. However, the police has to use appropriate force to treat with whatever situations arise," he explained.