Minister orders security audit at Horizon Remand Centre

SECURITY Minister Dwight Nelson yesterday ordered a security audit of the Horizon Adult Remand Centre, a day after a riot left nine correctional officers and 40 inmates injured.

The audit will be conducted by representatives from the ministry's Protective Security Unit, the police, the Jamaica Defence Force and the Department of Correctional Services.

The audit is expected to be completed today and be on Nelson's desk by next week.

The Department of Correctional Services will also provide Nelson with a preliminary report today on Monday's disturbance, and the ministry's Inspectorate Unit will be doing an independent investigation into the incident.

The Department of Correctional Services reported yesterday that normality had returned to the remand facility, but visits to inmates remained suspended.

A riot broke out at the remand centre after inmates began to protest against the implementation of stricter security measures aimed at curtailing the trafficking of narcotics and cellular phones inside the facility.

Prison officials yesterday denied reports that the disturbance started because of a lack of water inside the facility. Water was delivered to the remand centre earlier in the day, the officials said.

Inmates pried the locks off their cells and stormed into the prison yard, forcing warders to use batons and clubs to control them.

All nine warders who were injured in the melee were treated and released, while 15 of the inmates were admitted to hospital. Some of the inmates reportedly suffered head injuries and broken bones.

Minister Nelson, along with Acting Police Commissioner Owen Ellington and Commissioner of Corrections June Spence Jarrett, yesterday toured the remand centre but were unable to view the area where the riot broke out as it was being processed by Scene of Crime investigators.

A release from the security ministry said Nelson addressed concerns of relatives of inmates who had gathered outside the prison.

"Minister Nelson told them that they will be informed of the whereabouts of their relatives. He further stated that... registered visitors would be issued with a letter from the superintendent at the remand centre to take to the hospital to visit their relatives.

"These persons would have to report to the police post at the hospital from where they will be escorted to their relatives," the release stated.

Nelson, the ministry said, also paid a visit to some of the injured inmates who were admitted to hospital.

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