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| Prison officers: Govt is not listening to us |
| By pressandguide.com - Ceola Wilson |
| Published: 04/25/2012 |
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Bermuda -- Armed with photographs of illegal drugs, cash and cellphones, Prison Officers Association President Craig Clarke has warned it’s just a matter of time before there is all-out anarchy at Bermuda’s maximum security prison. But almost as quickly as the photographs were posted on the internet, Commissioner of Corrections Edward Lamb hit back charging the POA’s assertion was grossly out of order. In a statement released to The Royal Gazette, Mr Lamb said: “I think it is rather pessimistic to use the term ‘anarchy’ because that implies a lack of command and control on the part of officers. “There is no doubt that a segment of our population show little or no regard for authority. Having to deal with a ‘new breed of criminal’ requires constant vigilance, use of intelligence information and strict adherence to policies and procedures,” said the Commissioner. “There is no question about my concerns for the welfare and safety of my officers and staff. This is not a matter I take lightly and I have made this point to all and sundry on countless occasions.” POA members gathered at the Devonshire Rec yesterday where the chairman said: “It may be time for the Commissioner to go look for greener pastures or go somewhere, he may not be the right man to lead the Bermuda Department of Corrections, but that’s my opinion.” The comment triggered a big round of applause by association members. When asked if he had the support of his officers at a press conference called by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Kim Wilson, Mr Lambe replied: “Yes I do believe I have the support of the majority of my staff.” Apart from the call for a full-scale review the POA’s biggest concern is the health and safety of prison officers and inmates due to the increasing young inmate population at Westgate Correctional Facility. “They have a totally different mentality from 20 years ago,” said Mr Clarke. “The majority of these inmates come into the system with some form of gang affiliations, it is becoming increasingly alarming to maintain this inmate population in a sterile, safe environment. “We have officers facing dangerous situations daily to try to curtail the constant threats that seem to be breaching our perimeters. We are finding more weapons, seizing more drugs and unthorised items from within our perimeter walls. “The days of continuing to maintain the veil of secrecy of what our officers are faced with must end, not enough is being done to make our prison system a safer place.” And he accused Government of “not listening”, with a “total disregard” for the POA’s concerns. “It is time for the politics, the sound bites, the rhetoric and the misinformation to stop, one cannot play politics with officers and inmates’ lives,” said Mr Clarke. “The Government must begin to take the requests of the POA more seriously or they will have to explain to the general public why the prison system erupted into full-scale anarchy. “Bermuda be under no illusion that this cannot happen, we still have the chance to fix the problem if people will engage and listen to the men and women who make up the Bermuda Department of Corrections.” Read More. |
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