IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN

Jul 12, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Though the full facts are yet to emerge in relation to the circumstances surrounding the fire at the Camp Street prison, one thing is already clear: there is an urgent need for a comprehensive review of the security arrangements at all such facilities. Even before the conflagration was fully extinguished, the political implications in relation to this bizarre incident have begun to reverberate.
Judging from the criticism of the government by the opposition and the casting of blame of the sugar industry for the fire by a minister, the situation has reached new lows. In the face of adversity, the people expect their politicians to put their differences aside and strive for solutions, but this has not been the case. The opposition has criticized the government during the recent floods and now on the Camp Street prison fire. It is all destructive.

Changes are long overdue in the prison system, and the ones that the government are currently making can be effective only if they can make a difference in combatting the situation by ensuring adequate security measures are in place to prevent a recurrence. It seems quite alarming if we are to believe the reports that the security was insufficient at the Camp Street prison which housed hundreds of hardcore criminals.
It is incredulous that this was allowed to happen a second time at the same prison.
History will record that the two major insurrections at the Camp Street prison took place under this administration which had promised to reform the prison system. That dubious distinction, no matter the nuances of the facts, will forever be an embarrassing chapter for the government. If such poor judgement continues, this incident is not likely to be the last.
Despite the press conferences and assurances given by the authorities, the public remains skeptical and none the wiser when it comes to the facts in relation to this truly bizarre incident. In invoking his role as being in charge of the prisons, the Minister of Public Security has assured the nation that the security forces are on top of the issue and that they will maintain peace and stability, and protect the residents.
The problem with this is that it is precisely this judgment that has now been brought under scrutiny by nothing other than the seemingly superficial efforts since the last prison uprising. Had the authorities acted condignly, the nation would not had to face another mutiny by a few disgruntled prisoners. It must be noted that all prisoners on remand are entitled to equality of treatment under the law and to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Either way, the events that unfolded last Sunday should never have taken place. The State has a legal and moral duty to ensure that the prison is given the resources it needs to maintain the highest levels of security. The recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry appointed last year in the wake of the deadly March 2016 prison riot which claimed 17 lives seem not to have contained the answers to the dilemma.

The Camp Street prison has become a national embarrassment and the terrible conditions there made it unfit and unsafe for human beings. We continue to hear that it was under-staffed; there were still security concerns; the older buildings were neglected, dilapidated and filthy. Living and sleeping areas were appalling. Some structures were already falling apart and the facility lacked running water. And worse, there were reports of abuse of some prisoners by others on the compound. This is distressing because taxpayers have spent many millions to upkeep that prison.

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