KINGSTON, Jamaica — In keeping with the latest move to strengthen security in the nation’s correctional facilities, a special Technology Task Force (TTF) established by the Ministry of National Security has restored and optimised two cell phone jammers at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston to block incoming and outgoing calls from the maximum security facility.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security Pearnel Charles Jr, in a release, said that the TTF is “swiftly implementing a technology strategy that will identify more modern technology for phased roll-out in all the correctional institutions.

“By optimising and maintaining our physical security assets, we are advancing the process of identifying and selecting the best, and most modern cellular jammers and other technology solutions for deployment throughout the correctional system.”

 “The restoration of these jammers serves an immediate need but also speaks to the lack of maintenance and under-utilisation in recent years. This is the first in a series of interventions by the team, which will carry out further assessments throughout the correctional institutions,” said Charles.

The state minister pointed out that audits will be conducted by the TTF in all institutions under phase 2 of an electronic monitoring programme.

Additionally, providers have begun the process of assessing the CCTV surveillance systems in the correctional facilities; one of the key outcomes of the sweeping measures announced by the ministry to reduce and eliminate security risks in the nation’s 11 adult correctional and juvenile facilities.

Among the other key security measures to be implemented are the installation of X-Ray scanning machines at Tower Street and St Catherine Adult Correctional Centres and the Horizon Adult Remand Centre, as well as metal detectors and new entry management protocols.