BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE implementation of one of a number of new security measures at Her Majesty’s Prison to prevent the smuggling of contraband items into the facility is moving apace.
The security measure, installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras around the perimeter of the prison, is nearing completion as witnessed by SKNVibes yesterday afternoon (Mr. 17).
While passing the correctional facility yesterday, this publication had observed a technician installing cameras above the northern wall.
Works on the implementation of the initiative started several weeks ago, following the 21-day closure of the facility by Superintendent Juni Hodge, to facilitate a search operation that unearthed large quantities of contraband items.
Included in the illegal items found were alcohol beverages.
Following the find and during a press conference last month, Chief Prison Officer Denzil Harris told reporters that the alcohol beverages were thrown over the prison’s fence.
“Those alcohol were thrown over the fence...those are whisky, Appleton (Rum). We made some adjustment quite recently with the fence and I think that the boss had already put a proposal in place for new measures.”
He had informed that the old cameras mounted at the facility were monitored by the Police Force, but since Hodge took office that duty would be taken over by prison officers.
“Yes, they (cameras) are working...the last time those liquors came over the wall, police told us that they have some footage. But you know to depend on the police sometimes you would really wait a long time,” Harris responded when asked if the cameras were operational.
Asked then by the media if any arrest was made in light of footage showing individuals throwing items into the compound, Harris responded in the negative.
Harris explained that the quality of the footage was poor and that resulted in the perpetrators not being arrested. He however stated that the system would be upgraded.
“The systems that we are about to put up - the megapixels on those cameras - are so clear that we would be able to identify who just walked up the road. Even by the way you walk we will be able to identify you.”
After taking office at the start of February, Hodge closed the facility for 21 days and claimed that his officers had found in excess of 300 contraband items, which was later refuted by his predecessor, Franklin Dorset.
