Minister of National Security the Honourable Stuart R. Young M.P. on Wednesday August 7, 2019 commissioned a section of the Eastern Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre (ECRC) located at Pinto Road South, Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Santa Rosa as an expansion of the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC), after identifying the need for an additional place of detention.
Minister Young together with Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Ms. Penelope Bradshaw-Niles; Chief Immigration Officer Ms. Charmaine Gandhi-Andrews; and Acting Commissioner of Prisons Mr. Gerard Wilson toured the ECRC on Wednesday to inspect the facility. Following the visit, the Minister stated that the facility was found to be ready for the holding of persons detained by immigration officials and meets the necessary security requirements as a place of detention.
The Minister also took the opportunity to thank the immigration detention officers present for their commitment to duty and contribution to national security. He described Wednesday’s commissioning as a multi-agency effort in action, commending Immigration Division and the Prison Service for their collaboration in ensuring that the designated area was fit for purpose.
The ECRC has the capacity to accommodate up to one hundred and fifty (150) persons and will complement the existing Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) located on the Eastern Main Road in Aripo.
The ECRC has been approved as a place of detention in accordance with subsection (12) of Section 29 of the Immigration Act, Chapter 18:01 which states that “Any person who is detained in custody in pursuance of an Order made by the Minister or Chief Immigration Officer under subsection (10) may be so detained in any prison, police station or immigration depot, or in any other place appointed for the purpose by the Minister or Chief Immigration Officer”.
The IDC at the ECRC is expected to become fully operational in the next two weeks.