"A BOARD of Inquiry has been asked to investigate the incident and they are expected to complete the task in 14 days," said Commissioner of Corrections, Richard Reese, in response to the violent incident at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre yeaterday, which resulted in the death of one warder and three inmates.In the meantime, visits to the penal facility have been suspended while there are to be widespread internal changes. Commissioner Reese said the security system at the prison is being reviewed.
According to the police, the incident appeared to be a pre-planned escape which began 10:15 a.m. when shots were fired in the air and inmates shouting "freedom". Their attempts to escape were, however, thwarted when armed warders intervened.
A detachment of policemen, led by Senior Superintendent Donald Pusey, was diverted from an Operation Kingfish assignment and rushed to the scene. On their arrival, the lawmen quickly cordoned off the perimeter boundary of the prison to prevent any escape.
JDF CALLED IN
Members of the Jamaica Defence Force were called in to assist the police in searching the prison. Up to last night, the lawmen were continuing their search. The team, based on information, said that there were at least two more illegal firearms in the possession of prisoners.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Gilbert Kameka said the .38 revolver that was found in the prison, came from outside the institution and that he expected other weapons to be found at the end of the search of all cells.
Allegations are that the disturbance began after correctional officers were in the process of searching persons visiting the institution, when a man pulled a gun and started firing at the warders. The man was apprehended and the gun seized. But, according to Commissioner Reese, there are other conflicting versions to the shootings, including allegations that a death-row inmate was attempting to escape.
Speaking outside the prison gates, warders said they suspected the recovered weapon was smuggled into the prison days before in a delivery vehicle. "We were the real heroes, it was just us without metal detectors left to stop this," one warder told The Gleaner.
Lambert Brown, vice-president of the University and Allied Workers Union, commended the courage and work of the warders, some of whom he said had returned from leave to assist their colleagues after hearing news of the incident.
PHILLIPS CONVEYS CONDOLENCES
National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips yesterday conveyed his condolences to the family and colleagues of Mr. Whittingham, the prison warder who was killed. Dr. Phillips also commended the correctional officers and other members of the security forces for their swift and prompt action to foil a mass prison break.
The minister has directed that a thorough investigation be undertaken into the circumstances relating to the incident and an initial report be submitted to him within 10 days.
In the meantime, the Jamaica Labour Party Spokesman on National Security, Derrick Smith, yesterday expressed concern about the prison upheaval. He said while it would be difficult to comment on the matter until all the facts are available, the information he has so far received, suggested a breakdown in the security arrangements at the prison.
