Suspension letters coming for 7 prison officers

 

SUSPENSION letters have been prepared for seven prison officers allegedly involved in the July 24 jailbreak in Port of Spain. The letters, however, are yet to be served on the officers who were on duty on the day of the brazen escape.

The Express was reliably informed the suspension letters are to be served on an acting superintendent, an acting supervisor, two prison officers II, two prison officers I and a woman prison officer who were all on duty on the day of the event.


Senior prison sources confirmed that a high-powered meeting took place last Friday with Commissioner of Prisons Sterling Brain Stewart and other senior prison officers to discuss and deal with the matter of officers who were allegedly involved in the prison break.

Three prisoners—Allan “Scanny” Martin, Hassan Atwell and Christopher “Monster” Selby—escaped on that day.

Well-placed prison sources say it was at that meeting “based on certain information put forward the decision was taken to issue the suspension letters”.

Martin was shot dead moments after the escape by police, while Atwell was found shot dead near the Calvary Hill in Port of Spain the following day. Selby later surrendered to police and was yesterday charged with the murder of 27-year-old PC Sherman Maynard. He also faces nine other charges.

Sources however told the Express late yesterday afternoon the letters had not been given to the officers.

Commissioner of Prisons Stewart “wanted to ensure the police investigation was concluded before handing out the suspension letters” prepared at the prisons head office at Phillip Street in Port of Spain, sources said.

“Mr Stewart has not said anything about the jailbreak but I can tell you he has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that those responsible for the jailbreak inside the prison walls are held accountable,” said one senior prison source who attended the meeting last Friday.

Sources say Stewart will be issuing a statement on the matter in due course.

Stewart, another source pointed out, was extremely concerned about rogue officers within the service and “the damage they were doing to the image of the Prison Service and wanted to ensure all is done to ensure there is transparency in the investigation.”

The Express and TV6 News exclusively reported during the weekend that more than 50 persons are to be interviewed with regards to the jailbreak and since then police have also increased the number of investigators in the case headed by DCP for Crime, Glenn Hackett.