By Sue-Ann Wayow
MORE than 30 prisoners at the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) in Arouca set their mattresses on fire in protest after they were moved from other prisons to the MSP on Wednesday.
But Commissioner of Prisons Dennis Pulchan indicated that the situation that occurred around 9am was under control, the police was informed of the situation and there was no riot taking place.
In a statement from the Prison Service, Pulchan refuted claims of any riot and has stated that it was not uncommon or illegal for prisoners to be transferred from one facility to another.
The Prisons Service stated, “It is done so based on classification, availability of space, and risk factors.”
By midday, the midday meal was served and operations were back to normalcy at the Wayne Jackson Building.
Pulchan added the Prisons Service was speaking with the inmates on the matter.
However, Waajihatul Islaaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is questioning why the prisoners were moved.
In a statement on Wednesday, the group asked Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds for answers.
The group asked, “Is this a deliberate attempt at creating a violent disturbance so as to attract a heavy handed response from the army and the police? Or is it another attempt by the state to create an opportunity for the Attorney General’s band of avaricious state attorneys to benefit from the string of litigation that will follow?”
The Islamic Front is warning that the move will create violence which would spill over the fence therefore risking the lives of innocent persons.
Hinds is being called upon to return all inmates to their respective cells and for these inmates to receive prompt medical attention and legal representation.
