1,147 now detained since SoE declared; new prison for Arima

Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs told the media on Tuesday 40 more people have been arrested in the 24-hour period ending at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Six of them are alleged to have connections to gangs, 10 have been held on drug offences and the others were detained for several other offences including breaking the curfew.

Speaking at the daily State of Emergency briefing the commissioner said security personnel also seized 12 firearms, 31 rounds of ammunition, and one magazine. were seized.

Gibbs said the latest arrests bring the total detainees to 1,147. A total of 432 of those arrested are alleged to have connections to gangs.

Most of the detainees would be housed at a new prison facility in Arima that is expected to be ready by the weekend. It can hold as many as 1,000 persons.

Commissioner of Prisons John Rougier told reporters Tuesday the new prison at Santa Rosa has better facilities that general prison systems, Rougier said all cells have toilets, bathrooms and face basins.

Santa Roas prison will be ready soon

Rougier also told reporters the authorities have ensured that there is no overcrowding at the prisons. He said prior to the State of Emergency the prison population was about 3800. It has now been increased by 521 bringing the total to 4321.

He said new inmates who have all been charged are housed at a facility designated for high risk prisoners. Rougier said the as many as 350 people can be accommodated there but so far there are only 16.

Rogier also told reporters that Government has allocated more than $2 million to the prison system to help it deal with the additional needs. he said the service is staffed and equipped to supervise to deal with the additional responsibilities.