KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jnr has begun to take steps geared at tackling corruption and other criminal activities within correctional facilities.

The ministry last week promised to carry out a security assessment of the country’s correctional system in a move to strengthen internal controls of all prisons.

“We are refining a comprehensive action plan focused on enhancing accountability and enforcement.

“We have assembled all the key recommendations in a structured matrix, delegated specific responsibilities and are reviewing budget allocations to advance the process of stamping out corruption and criminal activity in our correctional facilities”, said Charles.

The implementation team has been instructed to immediately commence its work, and to make periodic reports and recommendations to the minister.

The state minister’s update comes after a follow-up meeting on Thursday of a high-level security team drawn from the Department of Correctional Services, the Offender Management Unit of the Ministry and the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

“In keeping with this Administration’s intention to transform the correctional services, we will also launch a wide-scale rebranding of the Department of Correctional Services that begins with an internal programme among the over 2,800 men and women who work in the system,” said Charles.

The Department of Correctional Services manages nearly 4,000 inmates in seven adult correctional centres, one remand centre and four juvenile facilities.