The recent violent attacks at the New Amsterdam Prison have raised serious concerns about security deficiencies at the facility, including the ability of inmates to procure sharp implements and acid with ease with the possible aid of guards.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee last week expressed concern particularly at the last two attacks, which occurred within three weeks of each other. Though he said that a Board of Inquiry has been set up to probe the attacks, retired Police Commissioner Winston Felix says that the problem lies in the uneven ratio between the prison population and prison staff. He is suggesting that the staffing deficiency be addressed in conjunction with the introduction of surveillance cameras to increase monitoring of both the prisoners and their guards, thereby ensuring better security at the facility.
Over the years, there have been a number of attacks at the prison. Based on this newspaper’s research, there have been three armed attacks at the New Amsterdam Prison this year. The first occurred on April 29 when Brian Hescott was stabbed with an ice pick. Hescott, who is serving a sentence or armed robbery, and a murder convict were involved in a
