With the recent headlines about who’s recording behind bars and whose music should be taken off the airwaves comes these new announcements from the security ministry.
The National Security Ministry has announced that all correctional officers, inmates and recruits are to be polygraphed as part of new measures aimed at cutting the smuggling of cell phones and other contraband into correctional facilities.
State Minister for National Security Pearnel Charles Jnr says arising from several high-level security meetings, a system-wide security assessment will also be implemented to strengthen the internal controls in all institutions.
“It is unacceptable that breaches continue year after year and it is time to draw a line in the sand… what now exists is a dysfunctional system, where we have to contend with contraband entering our correctional facilities and the allegations of complicity of our staff in this matter,” he said, noting that four correctional officers are now before the courts on charges related to “corruptive dealings with inmates”, while other officers have been removed from their posts “for alleged unprofessional conduct”.
Other key security measures for prisons:
*Amendments to existing legislation, regulations and procedures to increase accountability and enforcement.
*The installation of X-Ray Scanning Machines at Tower Street and St Catherine Adult Correctional Centres and the Horizon Adult Remand Centre
*Metal detectors
*New entry management protocols
*Relocation of inmates
*Re-zoning spaces in all institutions
*Expanded CCTV coverage across the correctional system
*Enhanced use of cellular phone jamming technology
