The Minister of National Security, The Honourable Stuart Young, visited the Port of Spain Prison on Tuesday October 02, 2018 following a report submitted to him relative to structural damage to the institution, from the recent 6.9 earthquake.
The Honourable Minister was welcomed by the Commissioner of Prisons (Ag), Mr. Dane Clarke, Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, Dennis Pulchan, Superintendent of Prisons, Ms. Charmaine Johnson, President of the Prisons Officers' Association, Mr. Ceron Richards and other representatives from the Prisons Officers' Association.
During the visit, Minister Young was given a first-hand view of the affected areas and he promised to work assiduously to seek out the resources necessary to remedy the situation. He also spoke with and noted the concerns of some of the clients who were given the opportunity to speak with him.
Upon completion of the visit, Commissioner Clarke iterated to the Minister that in the Prison Service "all lives matter" and thanked him for placing the nation's prisons as a strategic priority in the interest of safety and security.
Today's tour marked Minister Young's second visit to another of the nation's prisons in as many months. In August 2018 he was given his maiden tour of the Maximum Security Prison where he addressed several concerns.
The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service remains committed to the critical role it plays in the protection of society by maintaining a safe and secure environment for both its staff and clients.