New Superintendent of Prisons
In recent years, prison breaks have become almost as common as Chinese shop jackings. Most of the time the prisoners are caught hours later and hustled back to their cells. But dangerous criminals have gone on to murder innocent people — people who would be alive today if security had been better. No one will forget the case of Julian Bush and his fellow inmates who broke out of Hattieville Prison, killed a taxi driver, shot at shopkeepers and robbed other businesses over a year ago. His accomplice Marcel Gabourel was only recently taken back into custody after fleeing to Honduras. The public is demanding that the prison tighten up and the government has responded by appointing a new Superintendent. But can one man ensure that the one thousand and sixty-two inmates stay in their cells? It’s an awesome responsibility, not to be taken lightly. News Five was in Hattieville this morning to meet the new Superintendent.
It was not an auspicious introduction for the new Superintendent of Prisons and it was clear that the prisoners were not pleased that Keith Hamilton will be taking over from Superintendent Bernard Adolphus who held the post for over 20 years. But after Attorney General Dickie Bradley told the prisoners the decision was not theirs to make, things settled down and Hamilton was introduced. As a retired police officer, who also has experience with a private security agency, Hamilton says he is ready to take on what many view as the toughest job in the country. But he is not making any rash promises.
Keith Hamilton, New Superintendent of Prisons
“I am looking at the challenge of the new appointment constructively and with an open mind. I intend to put my experience in play to make the administration a success.”
Q: “What sort of plans do you have for the prison here and the prisoners?”
Keith Hamilton
“I cannot reveal that at this time. I must look at the administration generally and the physical security of the department before I can comment successfully on your question.
Richard Dickie Bradley says consultations were held both within the government and in the wide community to find someone prepared to take on Hattieville Prison.
Dickie Bradley, Attorney General
“It is a very serious job. It is not one that anybody would want to take on. In fact we approached a number of persons and when they thought about it they realized that this was not the job for them. This is a job that you would hardly get any sleep and your very life is at risk. So this is not an easy job.
We are really appreciative of the fact that Mr. Hamilton has agreed to come out of his retirement in order to put this place back in shape. He will have his chance to prove that his years in the tactical unit of the police force, his many years of his overseas training and his experience, both paramilitary and police wise, his management skills, his discipline towards a number of matters makes him ideally suited for the kind of person we need to head the prison.”
We asked Bradley what new security measures will be put in place to ensure that prisoners don’t escape.
Dickie Bradley
“The new approach is that when you are put into a maximum security cell at this compound, you cannot escape. There is no reason for escaping. We are going to put on double locks on those cells at the maximum. The watch tower up there, we have sent abroad in order for us to get a search light which was not available. I went up there one night this week and found that when it rains whoever is on guard has to leave up there and come downstairs because he is washed out completely. That is ridiculous.”
We have put a further one-man watch tower booth right in front of the maximum cells. We have gotten additional big lights and new things so that the place is completely lighted up. So at least we can say to the citizens of this country an offender who is back here for a serious offense cannot break out of those cells.”
Bradley says that the prison institution is costing tax payers four million dollars per year and that the public is fed up. Many are demanding that those found guilty of murder should he hanged.
Dickie Bradley
“We have reached that stage in society where the society no longer has tolerance for persons who think they can take the life of other human beings. They have reached that stage where in a short while, the person who goes to the Supreme Court and loses his murder case and loses his appeal will be facing the hangman’s noose. For those of you who are in this institution and think that because you are behind here and are acting like that already, you can be upstart and go on and do what you want. You all have got to change that attitude that you have.”
And it will now be up to Keith Hamilton to change the attitudes of the prison administration, which won’t be an easy job.
Hyacinth Latchman for News Five.
Hamilton will take up his new position in the first week of May. Jennifer Lovell has also been named the Director of Rehabilitation for the Department of Corrections.
