THE Department of Correctional Services has described as “entirely unfounded and without merit” allegations by several inmates at St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre that they have been deprived of visitation or recreation rights due to industrial action by correctional officers.

The inmates, in a letter to Mickel Jackson, executive director of rights group Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ), had claimed that warders who are “on go-slow” or on the verge of striking over monies they say the Government has owed them for years, have reported sick, gone on leave, or just don’t turn up for work.

That, they said, has resulted in them being deprived of recreation time, and visitation.

“We are being let out of our cells at 11:00 am each day and by 12 to 12:30 pm they lock us down… all our urine, faeces, and slaps (sic) has to stay with us inside our cells until the next day,” the inmates claimed in that letter.

They also complained about restrictions on visitors from the outside, saying, “our rights to visitation from family and love ones are slowly being taken away from us… We use to be getting six visits for the month, we are now getting three, which is one hygiene visit where you can only get one of each items… it’s the same procedure that goes for our food visit, one small dish of food, 1 Bulla, 1 Biscuit, 1 Bun.”

In citing frustration with the parole system the inmates contend that they have been “deprived the right to ‘parole’ by officers who are in charge of the programme and refuse to call the inmates who reaches their time to apply for parole”.

But the Department of Correctional Services, in a detailed response to the article which was carried in Tuesday’s edition of the
Jamaica Observer, said, while it acknowledged the public’s interest in the treatment and conditions of people in custody, it was obligated to “address several inaccuracies and contextual gaps presented in the article”.

“Standard procedures regarding inmate welfare and daily routines continue to be upheld in full compliance with established correctional regulations. Convicted inmates are allowed two monthly visits and a “food day” every first and third Wednesday each month. Additionally, inmates are released from their cells daily for recreation from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Furthermore, all obligations outlined in the heads of agreement have been satisfied. Consequently, operations across all correctional facilities remain stable, with no reports of disruption,” the DCS said.

Information on the website of the Department of Corrections said visiting times for that facility are on Mondays for inmates with surnames A-F, Tuesdays for inmates with surnames G-L, Thursdays for inmates with surnames M-R, and Fridays for inmates with surnames S-Z between the hours of 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Food days, it said, are first and third Wednesdays.

As it relates to visit duration and frequency the department said convicted inmates are entitled to one visit per month and remandees to two visits per week. Death row inmates, appellants, and those awaiting trial are allowed two visits per week. Standard visit duration is five minutes with discretionary visit duration being up to 15 minutes. Discretionary visits, it said, may be granted under conditions whereby visitors are travelling from overseas or long distances or where special institutional circumstances apply. It said all decisions are made by the superintendent and communicated in a timely manner.

As it relates to the complaints regarding parole, the DCS said “the application process for parole in Jamaica involves several steps designed to assess the inmate’s readiness for reintegration into society. Once eligible, the inmate, or someone acting on their behalf, must submit a formal application to the Parole Board”.

“This application must include a fixed address where the inmate plans to reside upon release, complete with identifiable landmarks and contact information to allow for proper supervision. Additionally, the application should list individuals who will assist in the inmate’s rehabilitation,” the DCS stated.

It said once submitted, the application is reviewed in conjunction with several reports including those from the superintendent of the correctional facility and probation aftercare officers.

“Additional assessments such as medical, psychiatric, and behavioural evaluations help the Parole Board determine whether the inmate has demonstrated meaningful reform and whether their release poses any risk to public safety. Inmates are encouraged to keep track of their parole eligibility. However, officers are proactive in engaging and assisting inmates with the parole process,” it outlined further.

In response to the inmates’ complaints about unsanitary living conditions the DCS said, “sanitation at the facility is maintained through scheduled and supervised cleaning routines carried out by a sanitation party of inmates and officers. These practices are supplemented by deep-cleaning operations and targeted environmental management, especially during times of heightened health risk”.

“As a public body accountable to the people of Jamaica we conduct annual administrative inspections as a key internal mechanism to evaluate our standards, processes, infrastructure, and service delivery. These inspections help us identify gaps, address inefficiencies, and continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of our operations,” the department stated.

It also dismissed as spurious, claims by the inmates that medical attention is less than optimal, in addition to allegations that outdated medication has been dispensed.

“The institution receives a medical officer at least three times weekly, a psychologist once weekly, a dentist twice weekly, and a psychiatrist three times weekly. After medical services are provided, prescriptions are faxed or e-mailed to the medical unit where medication is dispensed within a maximum of three days. At no time are expired medications dispensed to inmates. Approximately 95 per cent of pharmaceutical supplies are provided by the National Health Fund (NHF) and medications are ordered biweekly, on average,” the DCS declared.

The DCS said, “while delays may occasionally occur, particularly for special-order medications, the department is actively working to strengthen internal processes and reduce turnaround times”.

“The DCS does not take lightly the concerns expressed by inmates or advocacy groups. However, we urge balanced and responsible reporting that reflects the complexities of correctional management. The DCS remains committed to upholding the health, safety and dignity of all people in our care while maintaining institutional order and security,” the entity said.

JFJ’s executive director, in driving home a call for “immediate reform” of Jamaica’s lock-ups, prisons, and juvenile correctional facilities on account of the letter, said the inmates’ distress call comes at a time when Jamaica is under review through the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR), where countries evaluate each other’s human rights records.

JFJ said alongside rights group Stand Up for Jamaica (SUFJ) it had submitted a report to the UPR documenting systemic failures in the island’s prison system — including overcrowding, inhumane conditions, and human rights violations.

“Most of the inmates’ accounts are corroborated by similar statements made by other inmates, attorneys, and staff within the system who have called our office asking to speak anonymously. Last year… we interviewed two attorneys who described in graphic, horrific detail the inhumane conditions endured by both prisoners and detainees. Our stomachs turned during the interview as no human should ever experience what was being described,” the JFJ’s executive director said.

According to Jackson, JFJ received several whistleblower complaints in 2024 about unsanitary cells, lack of medical care, and abuse, while SUFJ recorded 25 ill-treatment complaints between 2023 and 2024, including beatings for trivial reasons.

“Overcrowding exacerbates these problems, with Tower Street and St Catherine holding far beyond their capacities, worsened by the 2024 earthquake that damaged infrastructure. Sanitation is dire, with inmates relying on buckets for waste, and meals are reportedly insufficient and low in nutritional value. Health care is understaffed, with delayed hospital transfers and outbreaks of influenza and tuberculosis in 2024. A 2020 Indecom report on Rio Cobre Juvenile Correctional Centre noted dilapidated facilities and rights-violating discipline,” Jackson said.

“The state of our lock-ups are no better than the prisons. In 2024 JFJ received whistleblower reports of bedbugs, sewage issues, and overcrowding in lock-ups like Spanish Town, Santa Cruz, and Black River, alongside reports of abuse, including beatings, and delayed medical care. Despite Government commitments, progress remains slow, with new bail legislation and lengthy sentences threatening to worsen conditions,” JFJ said.