Pulchan: Serious problem in management of Prisons Service

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Outgoing Prisons Commissioner Dennis Pulchan says there is a serious problem in the management of the T&T Prison Service.

Pulchan is on pre-retirement leave and his term in office ends on March 5, 2022.

In an interview with Guardian Media yesterday, Pulchan said his retirement function took place on Wednesday.

Shortly before leaving the function, he said he saw an announcement that Superintendent Deopersad Ramoutar would be appointed to the position of Acting Prison Commissioner.

However, that statement was later retracted by the Prisons Service.

“I can’t say what is the cause of that (retraction) but I saw it as well,” Pulchan said.

“It’s not what I prefer, at the end of the day, it’s not how I wanted to leave the service, it was always my intention to leave the service in a position where it can take care of itself and not go through these legal issues.”

Asked if he believed the announcement was made prematurely, Pulchan declined to comment.

Pulchan said the responsibility for appointing an Acting Prison’s Commissioner lies with the Public Service Commission and any appointment will have to be approved by the Prime Minister.

The Acting Prison Commissioner is supposed to be the highest-ranking officer in the service.

However, he said the Prison Service does not have anyone in the rank of Superintendent and no one confirmed in the positions of Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.

“Therein lies a very serious problem with respect to the management of the Prison Service. The Service Commission is the one to really do the interviews but they were prevented from doing so because of a court matter by Mr Ramoutar so it’s a really crazy scene happening right now and I am hoping all parties can resolve this as soon as possible,” Pulchan said.

Asked if there was anyone other than Ramoutar who can hold the office of Acting Commissioner, Pulchan said the appointment is made on the basis of meritocracy so anything could happen.

However, he said leaving the Prison Service without a head will affect the morale of prison officers.

“It does something to the morale of the officers who are working in the Prisons’ Service because there is no clear cut statement made by either the (Public) Service Commission or the PS (Permanent Secretary) as yet, once that is done, I guess it will give a little bit of direction,” Pulchan said.

As for him, he is hoping to be able to enjoy his retirement.

“I have served 38 years in the Prisons Service and I enjoyed my 38 years and I am looking forward to my retirement,” he said.

Guardian Media contacted Ramoutar about the ongoing issue. He would only say he will await a decision by the Public Service Commission.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Security issued a release yesterday about the issue.

“The Ministry of National Security made a recommendation to the Public Service Commission in respect of a person to act as Commissioner of Police. The Ministry awaits the outcome of that process,” the release stated.