From CARIBBEAN360

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – With three prison officers now under suspension pending investigations into their suspected involvement in last month’s prison break, the Commissioner of Prisons says the service needs a cleanup to get rid of dirty officers.

Sterling Stewart made his position clear yesterday as he confirmed that “administrative action” had been taken against three officers who were assigned to the Port of Spain Prison, where the jailbreak occurred on July 24.

Around midday that day, prisoners Hassan Atwell, Christopher Selby and Allan Martin, who had someone obtained two guns and a grenade, broke out of the prison. Martin was killed shortly after in a shootout with police, Atwell’s bullet-riddled body was found two days later and police said they believed he was killed by gang members, while Selby turned himself in.

“This is part of a thorough investigation, incorporating all available intelligence and resources to not only bring closure, but also to address all the concerns being presented to us. At this stage of the investigation, we are yet to determine the means by which these destructive items entered into the prisons,” Stewart said in a statement yesterday.

“What is manifestly clear, however, is that they were not brought in by ghosts but by treacherous individuals working together on this sinister escape plan. It has been mandated that the investigation be done thoroughly, but swiftly, with a clear message being sent to all that the nefarious, underhand dealings of negative elements shall not be tolerated.”

Stewart said the recent events had made it blatantly clear there were rogue elements in the prisons system wreaking havoc.

“A cleanup exercise must be fashioned into our resolve as we seek to rid the prison service of these cancerous rudiments that have been flourishing while endangering the lives of others. This type of treacherous behaviour will never be tolerated,” he asserted.

The prison chief further contended that the lives of the prison officers under his command, law enforcement officials and members of the public were placed in “grave danger” when the trio escaped custody and “we can no longer have confidence in mere human resources”.

“The time has come for us to have access to and use of all the technology available to us, and all that can be obtained,” he said. “The Minister of Justice has advised that measures are being in put in place for the procurement and implementation of CCTV systems, full body and hand held scanners in the shortest possible time. These we anxiously await, as they will undoubtedly improve our static security competencies and overall outputs.”

While sending a stern warning to rogue officers, Stewart encourage committed prison offers to continue to work hard so the service could “reclaim our prisons and bring justice to those who seek only to destroy and cast a dark shadow over us”

“I want my officers to rest assured that as your Commissioner, I am committed to working with you, for the development of the Service; ensuring your security and your safety. We will not cower but stride with heads held high,” he said.

Stewart also sought to reassure the public that the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service was unwavering in its commitment to protect society.

IMAGE: THE PORT OF SPAIN PRISON WHERE THE ESCAPE WAS STAGED.

For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/trinidads-prison-chief-says-bad-officers-hurting-the-service-need-to-be-weeded-out#ixzz3iFA8C7IY