Overcrowded prisons worry PAAC members

Parliaments’ Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) has lamented the overcrowding at two of the main maximum security prisons.

Officials told the committee on Wednesday that the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre has a population of 1,656 which is way above its limit of 850.

It was also disclosed that the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, which was built to accommodate 850 inmates, has a population of 1,201.

Committee member Mikhail Phillips said it was surprising that there has not been any major breakout of violence at these facilities in light of the overcrowding.

According to Phillips strong representations should be made to the government to move to address the problem.

Committee chairman Ed Bartlett said the PAAC will raise the matter in its next half-yearly report to parliament calling for intervention.

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