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Probe launched after NOC inmates get pregnant
Authorities have launched a major investigation into the circumstances that led to at least three female inmates of the New Opportunity Corps becoming pregnant.
Permanent Secretary, Alfred King
Two of the teenagers, one of them 16, have been sent home while the other remains at the Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast facility. Still another one is reportedly under observation. She was caught in a “compromising” position.
Regulations dictate that the young lady will have to be tested and processed before integrating in the normal population of NOC.
Yesterday, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Alfred King, confirmed that a senior official has been dispatched to Essequibo to take statements and to prepare a report in the matter.
Initial indications are that two of the girls were impregnated by other inmates. There is still no clarity on the third.
These reports raise concerns over the situation at the institution. Inmates, aged10-18, are sentenced there by the courts to take part in correctional programmes lasting up to three years. There are separate dormitories for males and females.
However, understaffing and complicity between inmates and staffers have been blamed for the breakdown in discipline.
Last year August, inmates, in a major protest against conditions, set fire to a dormitory and tailor shop. A special body, headed by Justice Winston Moore, was appointed to report on conditions on the institution. While the report has not been handed over, insiders say that several critical recommendations pertaining to improvements to staffing were made.
Yesterday, King admitted that while there have been incidents at the institution from the time it was established, findings of three pregnant inmates at the same time would signal a highly unusual situation and be cause for concern.
Staffers yesterday confirmed the three inmates were pregnant and that two of them were sent away.
The facility houses about 150 inmates- more than half of them females- with about 50 staffers.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry has over the years been making changes whenever the situation warrants it. In the past there has been cause for an entire top management of the institution to be replaced.
The official also disclosed that the Ministry has been facing difficulties in finding capable, qualified personnel to man the facility.
He warned that any breakage of the code of ethics by any staffer would be dealt with.
Kaieteur News was told that concerns have been raised over the mingling of male and female inmates with the management having a dismissive attitude. There are also reports of inmates escaping the facility to the creeks in the ‘back dams.’ This is in addition to the under-staffing problems.
On Wednesday, a 16-year-old inmate escaped from the facility after reportedly throwing sand in the food of a female security guard. He reportedly fled to the roof of the Suddie Hospital where he entertained a large crowd, before he was persuaded to come down.
(Leonard Gildarie)
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