Prisons Officer caught with contraband

A Prisons Officer with ten years of service is now assisting police officers of the Western Division with inquiries, after he was found to be in possession of contraband when he reported for duty on Wednesday at the Carrera Island Prison.

RHONDOR DOWLAT-ROSTANT

A Prisons Officer with ten years of service is now assisting police officers of the Western Division with inquiries, after he was found to be in possession of contraband when he reported for duty on Wednesday at the Carrera Island Prison.

According to a police report, at about 12:55 pm, the Prisons Officer I, who is assigned to the Carrera Convict Prison, was searched during a random exercise.  Reportedly discovered in his possession were a quantity of marijuana, loose cigarettes and packets of wrapping paper hidden in juice cans, together with packets of cigarettes, an undisclosed amount of cash, disposable shavers, a phone and two chargers.

The officer was cautioned that he was in breach of regulations, and the police were contacted.  The responding police officers escorted him to the Carenage Police Station where currently, he is assisting with enquiries.

Commissioner of Prisons, Dennis Pulchan, told Guardian Media that there was never a doubt in the effectiveness of the measures which were implemented to challenge trafficking by officers.

“One by one, they would be identified, apprehended, and removed from the system, as they are counterproductive and place an immense strain on rehabilitative initiatives, their dedicated fellow officers, and the organisation,” the Prisons Commissioner asserted.

The Commissioner stated that the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service continues to aggressively address issues that tarnish or hinder the organisation’s commitment to the rehabilitation of offenders, the maintenance of security, and public safety.