Criminologist Dr Randy Seepersad says the effective dismantling of organised crime networks behind prison walls should take priority over the introduction of a nationwide State of Emergency (SoE).
Referring to information from a police media release, which reported that prisoners were plotting to execute attacks on figures in the criminal justice system, Seepersad said that instead of implementing such a large-scale security response, the government, through the prison service, should have addressed the matter at the prison level.
Referring to past concerns about inmates gaining access to mobile phones to order hits and continue controlling their criminal empires from behind bars, he suggested that authorities create a more robust system to quell such activities before allowing them to escalate to such a serious level.
“Try and control the situation in a setting which is already much more circumscribed and controlled, which is the prison setting.
“Tackle the problem within the prison and there may not be a need for a State of Emergency which affects the nation as a whole.”
Seepersad recommended rotating prisoners considered gang leaders or members from prison to prison on a random basis to prevent organised networks from forming behind prison walls.
He also suggested a more thorough roll-out of X-ray scanners at all prisons and questioned the effectiveness of mobile phone jammers at these facilities.
“We know there are cell jammers within some of the prisons, but they don’t always work, and the question is why?
“We need to make those things work within the prison service, and if you have the cell jammer networks appropriately functioning, then even if prisoners get their hands on a cellphone, they won’t be able to make any calls at all.”
Seepersad also warned corrupt prison officers not to be swayed by the promise of money in exchange for smuggling mobile phones to prisoners, as it could directly lead to their own downfall or that of those around them.