REESE. it would be improper for me to comment

Major Richard Reese, the commissioner of corrections, is set to replace Gilbert Scott as permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security next month, highly placed sources in the civil service have confirmed.

Reese, a retired Jamaica Defence Force officer, has been in charge of the island's prison service since 2003 and was last year shortlisted for the job as police commissioner after the retirement of Lucius Thomas.

SCOTT... contract up end of November

Yesterday, he declined to comment on his new posting when he was contacted by the Observer.

"I can't comment at this time," said Reese. "It would be improper for me to comment. I must direct you to the Ministry of National Security or the Public Service Commission."

The Observer was unable to reach any member of the Public Service Commission, and a national security ministry official said she knew nothing of the development.

On Wednesday night when the Observer contacted Scott, he declined to say much, offering only: "My contract expires at the end of November. That's all I'm willing to say."

However, our sources say that a decision had been taken some time ago not to renew Scott's contract. The sources, however, declined to elaborate.

Scott was appointed to the position in 2001.

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