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Senior Superintendent Christopher Phillips, Commanding officer for the St. Catherine South Division and INDECOM Commissioner Hugh Faulkner
By Lorraine Mendez
The police have shed more light on an attempted jailbreak at Portmore Police Station, more popularly known as "Hundred Man", early Wednesday morning.
Senior Superintendent Christopher Phillips, Commanding officer for the St. Catherine South Division, told Radio Jamaica News that about 4:30 a.m., the sergeant on duty was conducting his regular patrol when he heard strange sounds coming from the back of the lock-up.
On further observation, the sergeant realised that several prisoners who were supposed to be locked in their cell were on the outside, gathered in the passageway.
SSP Phillips said the sergeant and another officer had to call for reinforcement as the prisoners barricaded the entrance to the lock-up.
"They started to throw parts of the toilet that was damaged after the police. They basically attacked the team going in. They had to call for reinforcement. The team, however, managed to get the situation under control using less lethal options, of course," he disclosed.
SSP Phillips said three police officers and about seven prisoners were injured in the incident and have received medical attention.
He said the police have increased their vigilance, having recently identified what he terms a determined effort to breakout of the lock-up.
SSP Phillips advised that visitation has been temporarily restricted following Wednesday morning's attempted jailbreak, and appealed for understanding from members of the public.
"Well, as it is now, we will have to make some repairs to the facility, and so they just have to bear with us for now.... But we have to do what is necessary to ensure the security of the facility and those that are inside," he insisted.
Hugh Faulkner, head of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), said a team has been dispatched to the Portmore Police Station to investigate Wednesday's incident at the lock-up and reports of injuries to inmates.
"Consequent on any allegation of assault resulting in bodily harm, the authorities are advised to ensure that persons in custody reporting injuries are provided with access to medical attention without delay. That is always a priority for INDECOM. In the interim, steps are being pursued to gather evidential material, including forensic exhibits," he said.
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