New prison officers warned to steer clear of corruption

By Anesta Henry

Acting Superintendent of Prisons Decarlo Payne on Friday admitted there were still “issues” at Dodds even as authorities cracked down on officers collaborating with inmates to commit illegal acts, but he warned new prison officers not to get caught up in any such activity.

Addressing Friday’s graduation ceremony of the latest batch of prison officers at the St Philip penal institution, Payne made it clear to the 14 officers that prisoners were their charges and not their friends, and warned that conspiring with inmates could lead to serious consequences.

Though noting the Prison Service has dealt with officers who engage in illegal activities and has implemented stringent surveillance and security measures to avoid any recurrence, Payne said he would not be “facetious” to suggest that “we don’t have any issues here”.

“We do, I would not pretend. I would never come here and pretend. Do not allow yourself to be influenced along that line. I believe that one individual who has that designation is one too many. If you don’t have integrity you will fall for anything, and if you treasure your integrity and guard your integrity with jealousy, you are not going to fall that easily,” he said.

“In my 41 years that I was here, I held my own and I would expect each and every one of you to do the same,” Payne added as he also urged the prison officers not to underestimate how smart inmates could be.

He shared with them an example of the consequences of corruption while on the job.

“Years ago, while I was at Station Hill [former prison location], we were having challenges where drugs were in the institution and we were also having feedback that our staff was involved in the process of trafficking illegal substances into the prison. 

“It was fairly difficult to put a hand on what was happening, until one day a staff member showed up at the front gate with a false pocket behind the pocket that had his book in it, and that’s the end of it. He was arrested, he was charged, he was put before the court, and he was fired. Just bear that in mind in relation to what’s happening here,” the acting prison boss said.

Payne also advised the incoming officers to perform their duties without fear or favour and to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, even if family members or friends became inmates at the facility. 

Acting Orderly Officer John Lythcott, who led the three-month training which began in January, reiterated the importance of remaining professional and staying out of trouble. 

“Do not do favours for prisoners; don’t bring nothing for them, do not take anything from them. Do your organisation proud, do your country proud,” said Lythcott who also encouraged the officers to remain true to their training and not to take shortcuts.

Best Recruit was Jonathan Joseph who also received prizes for Best at Drills and Best at Physicals. Tiffany Williams was awarded for being the Most Improved recruit.

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb