THE CARIBBEAN CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IS CALLS FOR PERMISSION TO INVESTIGATE

By a Staff Reporter: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO’S PRISONS

The Caribbean Centre for Human Rights is calling for the independent monitoring of prisons due to the persistent allegations of abuse of prisoners by prison officers and the lack of any monitoring system to ensure that prisoners’ living conditions meet the minimum human rights standards.

In a statement, the group called for a meeting with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds to express their interest in being tasked with conducting such an exercise.

IENews reached out to the centre’s Executive Director Denise Pitcher on Thursday who explained to us, the need for intervention from an independent body, something she said the state is obligated to allow; more so as there has been no Inspector of Prisons for the past two years.

On Tuesday one high risk prisoner released a letter of the current treatment they are receiving at the Wayne Jackson Building at the Maximum Security Prison, Arouca, claiming that they are being denied their usual rights, following the murder of two prison officers just three days apart; apparent hits from behind prison walls.

Ms Pitcher said the body is looking forward to conversations with Commissioner of Prisons Dennis Pulchan as well as Minister Hinds within the next few days.