Senator Pearnel Charles Jr yesterday issued a strong warning to correctional officers embroiled in corrupt activities to “desist” or resign.

“I am on a mission and all correctional officers must hear me very clearly. I do not intend to be deterred by any man or woman. The Department of Correctional Services will become the premier example of efficiency; it will have to draw up its socks,” Charles, the junior minister for national security, said at the handing-over ceremony of a greenhouse at Tamarind Farm Adult Correctional Centre in St Catherine.

“You are forewarned. What is happening and what will happen you can’t stop it. So anyone who feels they need to resign, you can bring the paper to my desk. Anyone who feels that they cannot take the heat, call the superintendent and tell them,” he said.

Charles’ warning follows measures announced last week to tackle corruption and other criminal activities within correctional facilities after concerns were raised by Opposition spokeswoman on youth and culture Lisa Hanna about the recording of music from prison by murder convicts, including dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel.

Hanna questioned whether corruption played a role in the production of music from behind bars by the entertainer, whose given name is Adidja Palmer.

Charles, in a news release last week, outlined the proposed security measures which he said are to come, including clarifying the conditions under which music is recorded by inmates in maximum security facilities.

He said, then, that there will be changes to legislation and procedures to ensure accountability and enforcement, and that X-ray scanning machines will be installed at Tower Street and St Catherine adult correctional centres, as well as the Horizon Adult Remand Centre in Kingston.

Metal detectors and new entry management protocols, a polygraph of all recruits and correctional officers, a re-zoning of spaces in all prisons, the expansion of closed-circuit television (CCTV) coverage across the system and the enhancement of the use of cellular jamming technology were the other measures announced.

Charles said the authorities would be pushing to stamp out the smuggling of mobile phones and other contraband.

Yesterday, the legislator stressed that “whatever steps necessary” will be taken to protect the reputation of “honest, hard-working” correctional officers within the Department of Correctional Services.

“That means everybody else get ready. This is an opportunity for all persons who might have, whether directly or indirectly, been involved in any activity that could be or appear to be corrupt or criminal, you get one chance – desist! That’s it. From henceforth don’t call anybody and ask for any other chances because we are moving up.

“I will not be ever pushed away from my focus. I don’t lose, so we have no choice but to win,” he said.

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I will not be pushed away from my focus, says junior minister