Five Jamaican correctional officers and three inmates are now facing corruption charges after police officers from the Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) stepped up a probe into illegal activities inside the nation’s penal facilities.
The police probe comes on the heels of increased security measures implemented by the Ministry of National Security after former Minister of Youth and Culture, Lisa Hannah, called for the music of popular dancehall DJ, Vybz Kartel to be banned from radio.
The arrested inmates are alleged to have acted in consort with correctional staff and persons outside of the institutions.
In a series of probes which continued over the past weekend, investigators working in tandem with the leadership of the Department of Correctional Services have seized 36 mobile telephones at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, and an additional four mobile phones at the Tamarind Farm prrison. Several other digital devices including SIM cards and an IPad tablet were also seized during the crackdown.
Four correctional officers have been charged in connection with these finds in an ongoing probe led by the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA).
A fifth correctional officer was arrested on the weekend, and three inmates who were charged for various offences are being prosecuted while in custody.
Junior Minister of National Security Senator Pearnel Charles Jr., was full of praise for several persons who came forward with information on criminal activities in the correctional institutions.
“We are creating an enabling environment that supports greater levels of professionalism in the DCS. The door remains open for anyone with information on illegal activities in the correctional institutions to tell what they know. Persons may call the MOCA toll-free line 1800-CORRUPT in confidence. The Ministry’s objective is clear. We will root out any person conducting criminal activities in our correctional facilities. Our targets are criminals, be they inmates or individuals who may be wearing the uniform of a correctional officer”, said Charles.
On February 28, the Minister of State announced several sweeping measures to strengthen the internal controls in all correctional institutions, and to deter corruption and the conduct of criminal activity within the facilities.
Among the key security measures being implemented are:
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 and new entry management protocols; polygraphing of all recruits and correctional officer; relocation of Inmates and Re-zoning spaces in all institutions; expanded CCTV coverage across the correctional system; and enhanced use of cellular phone jamming technology.
