Headlines:
| Prisoners and warders injured in riot |
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| Tuesday, 09 February 2010 | |
 Disturbing information
is emerging about Monday's prison riot at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre on Spanish Town Road
in Kingston.It has been revealed that 36 inmates and nine correctional officers were injured during the unrest which broke out at the facility. Several of the prisoners were seriously injured with broken bones and were taken to hospital. The number of injured persons is a surprising increase from the six initially reported by the Department of Correctional Services. Riot police were dispatched to the facility after the prisoners began breaking the locks to their cells in an attempt to escape. They also set fires in their cells. The police and soldiers had to cordon off the area to gain control of the situation. During the protest, the inmates damaged security cameras, bunk beds and the food store. New security measures angered prisoners It was earlier reported that the disturbance was triggered by a lack of water at the prison. However, a statement from the Department of Correctional Services said further investigations have revealed that the incident also resulted from new security measures which were recently implemented to stem the trading of contraband within the facility.  Major Richard Reese. The Department of Corrections said water has also been supplied to the institution. The statement added that visits to the facility were suspended on Monday due to a demonstration involving visitors at the gate to the prison. However, it is unclear whether visits will be allowed on Tuesday. Major Richard Reese, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security says had conferred with the Commissioner of Corrections and have implemented extra security at the Remand Centre. JFJ wants independent probe of what lead to prison riot  And a human rights lobby
group is calling for a thorough investigation into yesterday's disturbance at
the Horizon Remand Centre.Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) says the large number of persons injured is an indication that things went horribly awry. According to Susan Goffe, the group's Spokesperson, an independent probe should also be carried out in addition to an internal investigation by the Department of Corrections. "The causes of this incident and the handling of it need to be investigated. It's obviously raises questions as to have such a large number of injuries sustained by both correctional officers and the persons on remand," she said. |