KINGSTON, Jamaica — State minister in the Ministry of National Security, Pearnel Charles Jr has warned that any officer or inmate involved in unauthorised and illegal recordings in the penal system will be punished. 

In a release from the ministry, Charles said that while music and the creative arts are important tools of rehabilitation, which are facilitated by radio stations at the Tower Street and St Catherine prisons, rehabilitation does not include illegal recordings and “any such activities are prohibited, and punitive action will be taken against any officer or inmate found involved and in breach of these regulations”.

Charles’ warning comes after Opposition MP Lisa Hanna threw the country into debate over whether the music of incarcerated dancehall star Vybz Kartel should be played on Jamaican radio. Hanna reportedly received death threats after calling for the entertainer’s music to be banned. 

New music from the artiste has continued to be released despite being incarcerated since  2011, and Jamaicans have long speculated about whether the artiste has been recording music while imprisoned. However, Kartel and various production collaborators have denied such speculation.

Charles today acknowledged that the penal system contained flaws, which allowed contraband within prisons. 

“What now exists is a dysfunctional system, where we have to contend with contraband entering our correctional facilities and the allegations of complicity of our staff in this matter. This poses a potential threat to our national security and to our efforts to redefine and transform the Department of Correctional Services”, he said.

Four DCS officers were recently arrested and are now before the court on charges pertaining to corruptive dealings with inmates, while other officers have been removed for alleged unprofessional conduct.

Charles declared: “We will make every effort to eradicate corruption and criminality and to hold persons accountable for breaches, as well as deficiencies in management. It is unacceptable that breaches continue year after year, and it is time to draw a line in the sand!” 

The release from the ministry also said that the Department of Correctional Services is deepening its collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, in the analysis of data found on cellular phones seized in the correctional institutions. 

Arising from several high-level security meetings, the most recent being yesterday, the ministry said a system-wide security assessment will be implemented to strengthen the internal controls in all institutions and deter corruption and the conduct of criminal activity within the correctional facilities.

Among the measures which the ministry said it will implement are: amendments to existing legislation, regulations and procedures to increase accountability and enforcement, the installation of X-Ray Scanning Machines at Tower Street and St Catherine Adult Correctional Centres and the Horizon Adult Remand Centre, metal detectors and new entry management protocols, polygraphing of all recruits and correctional officers, relocation of inmates and re-zoning spaces in all institutions, expanded CCTV coverage across the correctional system, and enhanced use of cellular phone jamming technology.