BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THERE is more controversy surrounding the fate of embattled Superintendent of Prisons, Juni Hodge, as SKNVibes News has learnt that he is back on vacation.
In a recent interview with this media house, he confirmed that he was told by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Osmond Petty that his services were no longer required after his vacation would have expired.
“As it stands, I am still the Superintendent, but I met with Mr. Petty on Friday last and he told me he was told to inform me, or he was advised to inform me, that when my vacation expires I must not return to the prison,” Hodge told SKNVibes on November 29.
His vacation expired on December 7, and in an invited comment today (Dec. 12) he confirmed his departure from the position and that he was sent on additional vacation.
“I went out and I was told by Mr. Petty to leave. So I asked him for that information in writing, so he has put me on further leave until further notice.”
Stopping short of giving much information, Hodge stated that he is currently seeking legal advice.
The matter was brought up at the Prime Minister’s recent press conference, where Dr. Timothy Harris, who is the Minister of National Security, indicated that he was not aware of Hodge being fired, as he was on vacation.
“As far as I am aware, he is still the Superintendent of the Prisons,” Dr. Harris said. “Of course, he has applied for and is on vacation leave. I can’t comment on any other matter in relation to him at this particular moment in time."
He continued: “I think he had said previously, nonetheless, to a media house and so I can’t comment any further with respect to that matter. I am not sure what prompted that. That is the situation.”
But Hodge last month told SKNVibes that he was not given any formal document but was told that the reason for his termination was that “some of the senior officers made some allegations against me, one of which stated that they and I are untenable. So, as a result of that, he (Petty) was advised to inform me that I should not return to the prisons”.
“But what I find rather alarming, is that if someone is in charge and a junior rank feels that he has a scene about the person - that is an institution where rank matters - and the rank must be respected, irrespective of how you feel about the person. But I would say there is more to it.”
SKNVibes reached out to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Osmond Petty for a comment but that proved unsuccessful.
