Prison Officers Sound Alarm Over Contraband Smuggling

The Prison Officers Association of Trinidad and Tobago is warning the public that providing unauthorised items to inmates is a serious offence. Public Relations Officer of the Association, Kris Guerero, urged citizens to comply with prison regulations and avoid actions that could compromise the safety and security of correctional facilities. On the continued smuggling of contraband into prison facilities, including the Remand Yard and Maximum Security Prison, he said the issue remains a daily challenge for prison authorities. “It’s a continuous fight that the Prison Service has, especially with rogue officers as well being part of the issue. So, it’s an everyday challenge. Cellphones, of course, any sharp objects – you know there are a lot of things that could be described as contraband. Even food items that are not authorised. So it’s wide, it’s a wide-varying amount of items, but it really boils down to the authority given to bring them in the prison service.” He also pointed to a specific piece of legislation, noting that anyone found facilitating such activity could face legal consequences. “Act 15:08, which was amended, that is the Interception of Communications Act breaks down how it is you communicate with inmates, especially via electronic means. You’re not supposed to, anything without authorisation from the Commissioner of Prisons, really and truly, it should not be happening. Anything that the Commissioner has not approved basically is against the law and subject to intervention from law enforcement based on the actions of the persons.” He said prohibited items can include prescription drugs, food products, nail files and mobile phones. “A cellphone is probably the pre-eminent method of communication these days. One can argue an inmate may just want to contact his family, but we have high-risk inmates who run criminal organisations and the cellphone is the number one article used to control their network and get information. A cellphone could be used to intimidate witnesses on the outside.”