KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Ministry of National Security is reporting success in the implementation of its inmate reclassification programme, with notable reductions in overcrowded conditions at correctional institutions across the island.

 Being managed by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), the ongoing programme involves shifting low-risk inmates from overcrowded facilities to others that are under capacity.

 Inmates are assessed when they are admitted to either Fort Augusta Adult Correctional Centre, Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre or St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, which act as reception centres and sent to the appropriate institution based on risk level.

The objective is to restructure and rationalise the inmate population to ensure greater efficiency in operations, improve conditions for inmates, and strengthen systems of rehabilitation.

Former State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr, explained that inmates are evaluated as part of the administrative process to establish whether they are low risk, medium risk or high risk offenders, which plays a key role in determining whether they should be transferred to low, medium or maximum security correctional centres.

He said that most institutions are operating within capacity, such as the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, which is within its ideal population parameters of 850 inmates from a total of 936 inmates in March 2016.              

There are others that are under-populated such as Tamarind Farm Adult Correctional Centre in St Catherine, which has about 200 inmates but has capacity for about 380; Richmond Farm Adult Correctional Centre in St Mary has capacity for about 250 but has a population of approximately 160; and the Horizon Adult Remand Centre in Kingston has 800 inmates but can accommodate 1,000.

The population at the maximum security Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston has been reduced from 1,580 inmates as at January 19, 2017 to 1,453 as at March 8, 2018 and remains the only institution operating above its ideal population parameters.

 However, the addition of a new 300-man block at Tamarind Farm, which houses medium-risk offenders, will provide more space for transfers from Tower Street and the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre.

 “The new block at Tamarind Farm is now complete. The security lights have been installed, bathrooms are ready, and the kitchen is completed as well as the landscaping. The official opening will be announced in short order,” Senator Charles Jr noted.