Prison officers in Dominica are staging protest action over what they claim is “poor working conditions” at the island’s lone penal institution and a surge in COVID-19 cases among inmates at the Dominica State Prison (DSP).
Presently the prison population stands at 210 inmates but officers say they also have 90 inmates who are positive for the deadly COVID-19 virus.
General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) Thomas Letang is the union representing staff at the DSP, he said they are very concerned about the situation and have written several letters to the Minister of National Security through his Permanent Secretary (PS) and the situation remains the same.
Now, they have decided that “enough is enough” and want “swift and decisive action” to deal with the matter.
Only a month ago, Kenrick Jean-Jacques was officially appointed Superintendent of Prisons after acting in that post for over five years; Jeffery Edmunds was also appointed to the post of Chief Prison Officer (CPO).
The union, along with PS Jo-Ann Commodore along with prison officers will be meeting in an emergency session at the DPSU building later today.