‘Uprising’ quelled at Richmond prison

RICHMOND, St Mary:

Normality has returned to the Richmond Farm Correctional Centre in St Mary following a fracas involving an inmate and correctional officers on Sunday morning.

The clash, which reportedly involved three correctional officers and an inmate, occurred shortly after 11 a.m. when a cell phone was discovered during a routine search. The correctional officers were allegedly attacked when they attempted to confiscate the contraband.

“There was an unfortunate incident at the Richmond Farm correctional facility. However, that has been brought under control,” said Senator Matthew Samuda, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of National Security.

He added: “It is uncommon for sure, but it was spurred by a search of cells as we increase our rate of search. And because contraband was found and there were attempts by warders to remove the contraband, there was an uprising of sorts.”

The parties were taken to the Annotto Bay Hospital in St Mary, where they were treated.

Samuda said that the injuries were not life-threatening.

Meanwhile, St Mary South East Member of Parliament Dr Norman Dunn, who also weighed in on the matter, said that such confrontations were unusual at the correctional facility – certainly in recent times.

“It is a low-risk level facility, which houses persons who have committed lesser crimes,” said Dunn.

“They are seen around the place in farming lots, and the facility is a well-run institution. The authorities acted swiftly and brought it under control.”