KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two correctional officers were present at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday, however, one was in the prisoners’ dock and the other giving evidence following the discovery of unauthorised cell phones at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre.

David Facey was before the court on charges of introducing prohibited articles into a penal institution after he was found with a cell phone in his sock and another in his pocket while he attempted to access an area of the prison where cell phones were not allowed.

“He is putting his colleagues through the god-awful task of prosecuting one of their own,” Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell said when the man appeared before her.

The other correctional officer, dressed in uniform, indicated that no phones, even personal ones were allowed beyond the checkpoint where Facey was searched and the phones found.

He indicated this would have been common knowledge accompanied by signage in the prison.

Pointing to the 2023 Klansman gang trial, Burrell indicated that it was the responsibility of the court to take matters like this seriously.

“People don’t use phones to do good things in custody,” she maintained.

The judge indicated that Facey could have endangered his colleagues and innocent civilians by arming convicts with a phone.

Highlighting his length of experience she said the man should know better.

“You were a correctional officer before Horizon [remand centre] was a place — you are a disgrace,” Burrell said.

Horizon Adult Remand Centre opened in 2002. The prosecution indicated Facey had been a correctional officer for 28 years.

Files, including a statement from the prison, were yet to be completed and while Burrell considered revoking the man’s bail, she allowed him to remain out of custody.

However, the judge made a stop order against Facey and ordered that he relinquish his passport.

— Dana Malcolm