More Trinidad prison officers targeted for death – association head
(Trinidad Guardian) Prisoners at the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca have reportedly threatened to kill 13 prison officers before Christmas if the officers are not transferred from Wayne Jackson Building.
This comes after two prison officers were murdered days apart last Friday and Monday. Prison officer Trevor Serrette was the first killed at his vegetable and fruit stall in Valencia last Friday and on Monday, prison officer Nigel Jones was shot dead in Siparia.
The threats were confirmed at a media conference yesterday by Prison Officers’ Association general secretary Lester Walcott.
“The information I have is that inmates at Building 13, which is now called Wayne Jackson Building, have said that 13 prison officers will be killed before Christmas if they are not moved out of the building and that is the message we are getting from behind the walls, or one prison officer will be killed every week and that was also the information we received.”
He added, “This is the kind of person that we have behind bars that are controlling the system to kill a prison officer, as they are pleased to get their way. And that is why I am saying as a nation that has a national security framework, that if we allow this evil act to continue, we have failed the country.”
Walcott said prison officers attached to the unit are now unwilling to work unless certain security measures are put in place.
A total of 100 prison officers are assigned to the Wayne Jackson Building, which unit houses criminal elements from the Muslim gang.
The executives said they had lost all confidence in the Ministry of National Security Ministry and Minister Fitzgerald Hinds.
President Ceron Richards said they are now calling on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, as head of the National Security