Department of Correctional Services gets 12 new vehicles

Twelve new motor vehicles valued at $97.5 million have been commissioned into service at the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).

The new vehicles are four Nissan Frontier pickup trucks, four Nissan panel vans, two Foton buses, one Hyundai SUV, and one Foton flatbed truck, bringing the total number of vehicles in the DCS' fleet to 119.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held on April 19 at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston, State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Juliet Cuthbert Flynn said the event signals the Government's commitment to further bolstering the operational capacity of the DCS.

“The Ministry of National Security continues its thrust to modernise and transform the DCS security infrastructure… We continue to employ strategies to strengthen our operation, as we fight against the crime and violence that we are faced with in our society,” she said.

Cuthbert Flynn stated that through the National Correctional Services Policy (NCSP), the Ministry will seek to strengthen the operational structure, infrastructure, human resource capacity and use of technology, within the DCS.

Focus will also be placed on improving the rehabilitation and reintegration process of offenders.

“It proposes radical reform of the correctional system, utilising evidence-based practise that promotes public safety and security, while discouraging reoffenders from re-engaging in criminal activities,” she said.

For his part, Commissioner of Corrections, Brigadier (Ret'd) Radgh Mason said the commissioning of the new vehicles, marks a significant milestone in the Department's journey towards excellence.

“Through strategic resource management and investments in modernisation, we are better equipped to fulfil our mandate of ensuring public safety and fostering rehabilitation and reintegration efforts,” he said.

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