The Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA) has reported that there is no evidence of a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak at police lock-ups in Jamaica’s Corporate Area, contradicting earlier concerns raised during the trial of defendants linked to the so-called Tesha Miller faction of the Klansman gang.
The infection scare prompted premature adjournments during the second sitting of the trial on February 5 after reports surfaced of possible infections at three lock-ups. The situation was considered serious enough for presiding judge Justice Dale Palmer to order that all 25 defendants in the matter receive medical attention. The judge also directed that defendants housed in facilities suspected of infections be relocated for the duration of the proceedings.
However, following inspections, the PCOA said its findings revealed that only one person in custody had a confirmed tuberculosis case.
The authority said inspections were conducted on February 10 and 27 after media reports on February 6, 2026 raised concerns about potential outbreaks at the Half‑Way‑Tree Police Station, Hunt’s Bay Police Station, and Greater Portmore Police Station lock-ups.
According to the PCOA, the Hunt’s Bay facility was the only location where a confirmed TB case was identified. The authority said evidence was found in the station’s medical journal, which showed that a physician had administered treatment and collected samples from five other prisoners for testing. Staff at the lock-up also reported that an additional 10 prisoners were suspected of being infected.
At the Half-Way-Tree Police Station, however, the PCOA said there was no evidence of a tuberculosis outbreak. A review of the facility’s medical journal showed no TB-related doctor visits or transfers to external medical facilities for respiratory symptoms.
Similarly, during inspections at the Greater Portmore lock-up on February 27, investigators found no confirmed TB cases. Records did indicate that one individual had been treated for TB-like symptoms, with confirmation pending.
The PCOA also discovered that five individuals at the facilities had been treated for scabies, a contagious skin condition that causes intense itching and rash. The authority noted that officers at the Hunt’s Bay facility were equipped with adequate personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves, and sanitizers.
The inspections formed part of the authority’s ongoing monitoring of prisoners-in-custody (PIC) stations, which are conducted periodically under its annual inspection schedule. The PCOA noted that a chickenpox outbreak had been reported at the Hunt’s Bay facility in December last year.
Despite ruling out a TB outbreak, the authority again raised concerns about overcrowding at police lock-ups. It reported that two of the three facilities inspected — Hunt’s Bay and Greater Portmore — were holding prisoners above their gazetted capacity, with the majority being remandees.
“At the time of inspections, it was documented that two of the three lock-ups held prisoners above their gazetted capacity,” the PCOA said, adding that it recommended station commanders implement measures to address overcrowding and coordinate with area commanders and detention and court officials to relocate excess detainees.
The authority previously highlighted similar concerns last year following a special inspection of five major lock-ups in Area Four, including facilities in Kingston Central, Kingston Eastern, Kingston Western, St Andrew Central, and St Andrew South divisions. The review identified overcrowding, infrastructural decay, and safety and health deficiencies.
Under the Police Civilian Oversight Authority Act 2005, the PCOA is responsible for inspecting police stations, lock-ups, and other operations of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
