The correctional authorities have phased out the use of Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers in manning a section of the Horizon Adult Remand Centre which houses high-risk prisoners. The withdrawal of the military has been confirmed by Commissioner of Corrections, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Prendergast.
In an interview with RJR News Thursday night, Colonel Prendergast disclosed that the soldiers have been replaced by correctional officers. The prison boss explained that this was part of a special plan that was in train at the remand centre.
“We’ve had a period of transition where we were training special individuals from the correctional officers grouping to man the special equipment and follow the security procedures for that special section. It was completed and handed over. The JDF soldiers have been withdrawn and we are now manning the facility completely with DCS (Department of Correctional Services) officers,” said Lieutenant Colonel Prendergast.
Jamaicans for Justice, the human rights lobby group, has welcomed news that soldiers are no longer at Horizon. JFJ had in the past called for their removal on the ground that they were not properly trained to handle prisoners.
“Our concern has always been (that) a different kind of training is necessary for correctional officers as opposed to the type of training that is given to military personnel. I think this would be in keeping with the proper protocol for the staffing of a correctional facility,” said Susan Goffe, spokesperson for JFJ.
All feeds
