Fire tenders on standby outside of the prison yesterday.
Swift action by prison officials yesterday prevented what could have been a major catastrophe at the Georgetown Prison.
Reports are that three inmates set alight a mattress in the facility, resulting in some unrest in the country’s most overcrowded jail.
After an alarm was raised, the fire service was summoned to the area, but by then everything was under control. There was no report of injury and up to press time, police and prison officials were questioning the parties reportedly involved. .
Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine, could not be readily contacted for a comment on the matter, but this newspaper was told that the prisoners lit the mattress in the “brick” section of the jail to protest their prolonged incarceration.
Other prisoners raised an alarm and the fire service and police responded promptly to extinguish the blaze and ensure that there was no major disturbance or escape attempt.