Latest news with #PrisonOfficers'Association
CTV News
29-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Trinidad and Tobago extends state of emergency as threats hatched in prison persist
The country's coat of arms is displayed on the facade of a government building in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Aug. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ash Allen, File) PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad — Legislators in Trinidad and Tobago have extended a state of emergency after the attorney general said the twin-island nation's prison system has been compromised. He blamed prison officers and even attorneys of helping inmates accused of plotting to kill high-ranking officials. Authorities recently moved high-risk prisoners to military bases as part of a recent crackdown on jailed gang leaders accused of using smuggled cellphones to plot a series of assassinations, robberies and kidnappings with help from criminal associates on the outside. Attorney General John Jeremie revealed to Parliament on Monday that some prison guards could openly be heard warning inmates when specialized police agents showed up to conduct prison raids, and he also accused some attorneys of illegally helping those behind bars. 'The system has been compromised, and it has been serving inmates as a protected criminal command center,' Jeremie said. The latest state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago was extended for three months after authorities warned that the threat of a plot to kill key government officials and attack public institutions still exists. The initial emergency was declared on July 18 and was expected to last 15 days. However, the Caribbean nation's Parliament convened an extraordinary sitting on Monday to extend the measure until late October. 'We are here for an extension, we are here because the threat exists,' Saddam Hosein, legal affairs minister, said during the sitting. Prisoners who were deemed 'high risk' were moved to military bases in west Trinidad, but that didn't deter attempts to interfere with their detention, according to the attorney general. 'Those locations that they were removed to were very recently also infiltrated by two drones,' Jeremie said, adding the military thwarted those attempts. Meanwhile, the Prison Officers' Association, which represents prison guards, has condemned the accusations against the guards. It's the second state of emergency that the twin-island republic implements in a matter of months. Last December, authorities took similar action, citing concerns about gang violence. That state of emergency lasted until mid-April. While members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition unanimously voted in favor of extending the emergency, the main opposition questioned whether there had been any major arrests in the first 10 days of the measure being in place. Government officials noted that police have arrested more than 340 people and launched over 800 operations so far. The extended emergency was approved a day after Trinidad and Tobago marked 35 years since the failed coup by the Islamist group Jamaat-al-Muslimeen, which left 24 people dead. The attorney general referenced that insurrection, saying the present circumstances are 'not dissimilar from those at that time.' Anselm Gibbs, The Associated Press
Winnipeg Free Press
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Trinidad and Tobago extends state of emergency as threats hatched in prison persist
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Legislators in Trinidad and Tobago have extended a state of emergency after the attorney general said the twin-island nation's prison system has been compromised. He blamed prison officers and even attorneys of helping inmates accused of plotting to kill high-ranking officials. Authorities recently moved high-risk prisoners to military bases as part of a recent crackdown on jailed gang leaders accused of using smuggled cellphones to plot a series of assassinations, robberies and kidnappings with help from criminal associates on the outside. Attorney General John Jeremie revealed to Parliament on Monday that some prison guards could openly be heard warning inmates when specialized police agents showed up to conduct prison raids, and he also accused some attorneys of illegally helping those behind bars. 'The system has been compromised, and it has been serving inmates as a protected criminal command center,' Jeremie said. The latest state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago was extended for three months after authorities warned that the threat of a plot to kill key government officials and attack public institutions still exists. The initial emergency was declared on July 18 and was expected to last 15 days. However, the Caribbean nation's Parliament convened an extraordinary sitting on Monday to extend the measure until late October. 'We are here for an extension, we are here because the threat exists,' Saddam Hosein, legal affairs minister, said during the sitting. Prisoners who were deemed 'high risk' were moved to military bases in west Trinidad, but that didn't deter attempts to interfere with their detention, according to the attorney general. 'Those locations that they were removed to were very recently also infiltrated by two drones,' Jeremie said, adding the military thwarted those attempts. Meanwhile, the Prison Officers' Association, which represents prison guards, has condemned the accusations against the guards. It's the second state of emergency that the twin-island republic implements in a matter of months. Last December, authorities took similar action, citing concerns about gang violence. That state of emergency lasted until mid-April. While members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition unanimously voted in favor of extending the emergency, the main opposition questioned whether there had been any major arrests in the first 10 days of the measure being in place. Government officials noted that police have arrested more than 340 people and launched over 800 operations so far. The extended emergency was approved a day after Trinidad and Tobago marked 35 years since the failed coup by the Islamist group Jamaat-al-Muslimeen, which left 24 people dead. The attorney general referenced that insurrection, saying the present circumstances are 'not dissimilar from those at that time.'
The Independent
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Trinidad and Tobago extends state of emergency as threats hatched in prison persist
Legislators in Trinidad and Tobago have extended a state of emergency after the attorney general said the twin-island nation's prison system has been compromised. He blamed prison officers and even attorneys of helping inmates accused of plotting to kill high-ranking officials. Authorities recently moved high-risk prisoners to military bases as part of a recent crackdown on jailed gang leaders accused of using smuggled cellphones to plot a series of assassinations, robberies and kidnappings with help from criminal associates on the outside. Attorney General John Jeremie revealed to Parliament on Monday that some prison guards could openly be heard warning inmates when specialized police agents showed up to conduct prison raids, and he also accused some attorneys of illegally helping those behind bars. 'The system has been compromised, and it has been serving inmates as a protected criminal command center,' Jeremie said. The latest state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago was extended for three months after authorities warned that the threat of a plot to kill key government officials and attack public institutions still exists. The initial emergency was declared on July 18 and was expected to last 15 days. However, the Caribbean nation's Parliament convened an extraordinary sitting on Monday to extend the measure until late October. 'We are here for an extension, we are here because the threat exists,' Saddam Hosein, legal affairs minister, said during the sitting. Prisoners who were deemed 'high risk' were moved to military bases in west Trinidad, but that didn't deter attempts to interfere with their detention, according to the attorney general. 'Those locations that they were removed to were very recently also infiltrated by two drones,' Jeremie said, adding the military thwarted those attempts. Meanwhile, the Prison Officers' Association, which represents prison guards, has condemned the accusations against the guards. It's the second state of emergency that the twin-island republic implements in a matter of months. Last December, authorities took similar action, citing concerns about gang violence. That state of emergency lasted until mid-April. While members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition unanimously voted in favor of extending the emergency, the main opposition questioned whether there had been any major arrests in the first 10 days of the measure being in place. Government officials noted that police have arrested more than 340 people and launched over 800 operations so far. The extended emergency was approved a day after Trinidad and Tobago marked 35 years since the failed coup by the Islamist group Jamaat-al-Muslimeen, which left 24 people dead. The attorney general referenced that insurrection, saying the present circumstances are 'not dissimilar from those at that time.'
Associated Press
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Trinidad and Tobago extends state of emergency as threats hatched in prison persist
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Legislators in Trinidad and Tobago have extended a state of emergency after the attorney general said the twin-island nation's prison system has been compromised. He blamed prison officers and even attorneys of helping inmates accused of plotting to kill high-ranking officials. Authorities recently moved high-risk prisoners to military bases as part of a recent crackdown on jailed gang leaders accused of using smuggled cellphones to plot a series of assassinations, robberies and kidnappings with help from criminal associates on the outside. Attorney General John Jeremie revealed to Parliament on Monday that some prison guards could openly be heard warning inmates when specialized police agents showed up to conduct prison raids, and he also accused some attorneys of illegally helping those behind bars. 'The system has been compromised, and it has been serving inmates as a protected criminal command center,' Jeremie said. The latest state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago was extended for three months after authorities warned that the threat of a plot to kill key government officials and attack public institutions still exists. The initial emergency was declared on July 18 and was expected to last 15 days. However, the Caribbean nation's Parliament convened an extraordinary sitting on Monday to extend the measure until late October. 'We are here for an extension, we are here because the threat exists,' Saddam Hosein, legal affairs minister, said during the sitting. Prisoners who were deemed 'high risk' were moved to military bases in west Trinidad, but that didn't deter attempts to interfere with their detention, according to the attorney general. 'Those locations that they were removed to were very recently also infiltrated by two drones,' Jeremie said, adding the military thwarted those attempts. Meanwhile, the Prison Officers' Association, which represents prison guards, has condemned the accusations against the guards. It's the second state of emergency that the twin-island republic implements in a matter of months. Last December, authorities took similar action, citing concerns about gang violence. That state of emergency lasted until mid-April. While members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition unanimously voted in favor of extending the emergency, the main opposition questioned whether there had been any major arrests in the first 10 days of the measure being in place. Government officials noted that police have arrested more than 340 people and launched over 800 operations so far. The extended emergency was approved a day after Trinidad and Tobago marked 35 years since the failed coup by the Islamist group Jamaat-al-Muslimeen, which left 24 people dead. The attorney general referenced that insurrection, saying the present circumstances are 'not dissimilar from those at that time.'
Glasgow Times
11-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Here's what Scotland's jail staff says about overcrowding
The Prison Officers' Association published a survey with the views of more than 400 members. In it, they warned that the system is on the verge of collapse as there is not enough staff, training opportunities and space in Scottish jails. When asked, 95.5% of respondents agreed that rising prisoner numbers make the facilities more dangerous for staff and residents. 86.6% stated that due to the overcrowding, there is more sickness and absence among workers. Also, 80.21% said there are not enough employees to cope with the volume of inmates. READ NEXT: 'Battle' against drug-smuggling drones wages on at Glasgow's Barlinnie Inside Barlinnie as inspectors give verdict on notorious jail Here's what Scotland's jail staff says about overcrowding (Image: Newsquest) Barlinnie, Glasgow (Image: Colin Mearns) One responder suggested: 'Do not house prisoners like battery hens.' Another said: "Increase prison spaces by physically building more spaces.' A third wrote: 'Scotland must critically examine the root causes of its high crime rates and explore how community-based initiatives can create a safer, more equitable society.' A fourth added: 'There are not enough public mental health facilities, especially for women. People are being sent to prison as a place of safety due to their mental health. "This is not an acceptable practice' A fifth commented: 'Staff recruitment needs to be scrutinised and those currently in a position need to be held accountable for the poor choices being made when recruiting." Several participants noted that the retirement age should be lowered from the current 68 to 60, in line with other emergency services. Some argued that the stress of the job is reducing employees' life expectancy. Many responses also highlighted that the justice system needs to explore community-based disposals as an alternative to short-term sentences. (Image: Colin Mearns) HMP Glasgow plan (Image: SPS) In a recent report, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons in Scotland concluded that overcrowding is Barlinnie's main issue. During 2023/24, the average annual population was 1367, despite having been designed to house 987 men. Its larger replacement, HMP Glasgow, is currently under construction and is expected to be operational by 2028. A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: 'Our staff are our greatest asset. Every day, prison officers do outstanding work in the most challenging circumstances, and it is crucial that their voice is heard. 'This important report demonstrates the risk they face from a rising and complex prison population, the impact this has on their health and wellbeing and on their ability to do their jobs effectively. 'We need to see a reduction in our population, so that our staff can fully support people in our care, to reduce their risk of reoffending, and help build the safer communities we all want to see.' The Scottish Government was approached for comment.
