Glenroy Sinclair, Senior Crime Reporter

REESE

Sanctions will be imposed on several warders at Spanish Town's maximum security penal facility, pending a ruling from the Director of Public Prosecutions, in relation to the death of an inmate.

"The officers who were responsible for supervising the inmates will be the subject of an internal investigation," said Head of the Department of Correctional Services, Major Richard Reese.

The Gleaner has learnt that a group of senior and junior warders has been implicated in the incident which led to the death of Patrick Dixon nearly three weeks ago. Reports are that the 42-year-old inmate was stabbed several times on the afternoon of October 1. An officer at the Department of Corrections, who requested anonymity, said the deceased was diagnosed with a mental illness and could have been attacked because he was making too much noise in his cell.

But police investigations have pointed to another development. Detectives believe Dixon was killed over a phone card. One officer, who is close to the investigation, suggested that Dixon had sold a phone card to another inmate, who in turn claimed the card was not valid. Dixon refused to offer a refund and this led to a fight in the cell.

Statements given

When contacted this week, the Spanish Town police said a number of warders visited the station Wednesday to give statements in relation to the killing of the prisoner.

Since January, Major Reese, has taken disciplinary action against more than 25 prison warders for various breaches. Over the same period the police arrested at least eight civilians for attempting to smuggle contraband into maximum penal facilities.