Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
PORT ANTONIO, Portland:
THE MINISTRY of Health has ordered the immediate closure of all five jail cells at the Port Antonio Police Station lock-up in Portland due to poor sanitation and the deplorable state of that facility.
The jail cells, which were built more than 50 years ago, have, in the past, accommodated up to 25 prisoners, charged with serious crimes ranging from gun crimes, to drugs, rape, murder and extortion. It has also in recent times become home to more than 60 Haitian refugees in two groups who fled their homeland in November 2005, and were accommodated at that facility.
Senior Inspector in Portland, Wilfred Penn, said that the cells were ordered closed as raw sewage from that facility was seeping along William Street and West Street, which posed serious health risk to business operators and other local residents in the Port Antonio area.
"The cell blocks are in a deplorable state," said Inspector Penn. "The inmates' bathroom have fallen into disrepair and the septic tanks are in dire need of cleaning. Also, proper lighting needs to be installed."
There have been numerous complaints in the past, of raw sewage floating along the corridors of the jail cells from inmates and auxilary workers at the facility.
Inspector Penn pointed out that the inmates are to be transferred to other holding areas, in and out of the parish, so that the necessary repairs can be effected to the facility. He said that the repairs are to begin early this week, and that the work is expected to be completed in less than three weeks.
TRANSFER
"The hardened criminals who have committed serious crimes will be transferred to the Gun Court Remand Centre and the Horizon Remand Centre in Kingston, respectively. The others who are being charged with lesser offences including possession of smoking quanties of ganja and simple larceny will be sent to the Manchioneal and Castle police stations, respectively," he added.
Inspector Penn noted that it was a team from the local Ministry of Health, who ordered that the repairs be done to safeguard the health of inmates. He also said that notice was served on them to do so urgently. He noted also that the repairs will be carried out by the Ministry of National Security, but indicated that the repairs should have been completed some time ago, but that a lack of resource led to the delay.
