KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness is scheduled to visit lock-ups and detention centres under the Zones of Special Operations and States of Public Emergency in Kingston, St Catherine and St James tomorrow Saturday, December 8.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, Holness will visit the detention centre in Denham Town at 9:00 am. At 9:45 am the prime minister will tour the Tamarind Farm Centre in St Catherine and the Freeport lock-up in Montego Bay at 11:45am.

Holness’ tours come against the backdrop of a report made to Parliament by Public Defender Arlene Harrison Henry on November 21 of deplorable conditions at a detention centre in St James

Harrison Henry pointed out that the Ministry of Health’s own investigations supported the Office of the Public Defender’s findings of unhealthy conditions. There are no hand-washing facilities and lighting; scabies, rashes, respiratory illnesses, non-functioning toilets and inadequate ventilation, among other health hazards, existed at the centre, the report said.

And on November 30th, the police countered claims made by the public defender saying that the accusations were untrue and meant to demean the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The police conducted a media tour showing facilities contradicting sections of the Public Defender’s report.