Detainees moved after stand-off at Ocho Rios lock-up
Published:Thursday | January 26, 2023 | 1:23 AM
Several detainees were removed from the Ocho Rios police lock-up in St Ann and taken to Portland after a stand-off with cops at the facility on Wednesday evening.
Senior Superintendent Dwight Powell, commander of the St Ann Police Division, said the incident occurred after the police tried to search a cell in which the men were. They reportedly verbally and physically attacked the cops and had to be subdued.
One prisoner was taken to hospital for medical attention as a result of the clash.
The police got reinforcement from the Jamaica Defence Force to bring the situation under control as a fire unit remained on standby.
When The Gleaner arrived at the Ocho Rios Police Station, at least four prisoners were seen being taken from the building and being led to a truck under the watchful eyes of the security personnel.
As news of the disturbance spread, a crowd of curious onlookers gathered in the vicinity of the station.
While the police did not release details about the detainees involved in Wednesday’s stand-off, they pointed out that those implicated in the assault of another prisoner at the lock-up last week were not involved.
In the incident last week, part of which was captured in a video recording, a seemingly semi-conscious prisoner could be seen on the ground, struggling to rise, after apparently being attacked by fellow detainees.
Five prisoners have been charged in relation to the incident.