Inmates’ Visits & Court Appearances

The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service remains committed to promoting the health, safety and welfare of all individuals entering prison establishments and as such, has been closely monitoring the status of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) over the past week. We wish to advise that in a concerted effort to prevent the virus from entering the nation’s prisons, the following measures have been adopted with immediate effect.

• Visits to all classification of prisoners would be limited to ONE (01) visit per week.

• Only ONE (01) visitor per inmate would be allowed entry (consistent with the specific days for remanded and convicted inmates) unto the prison compound.

• Purchases for inmates can be made at any time and would not be recorded as a visit.

• Visitors will be subjected to mandatory screening prior to entry by trained personnel via standard questionnaire and thermal scanner.

• In the event of the full suspension of visits as a result of continuous escalation of the Coronavirus, the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service will make every effort through the use of technology to keep the lines of communication available as best as feasibly can.

• At present, the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service is honouring the Court List provided by the Courts, which dictates inmates to attend Courts. Upon return, all inmates and escorts will be screened.

The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service understands the plights of inmates and their families and is utilizing feasible measures amidst the current constraints, to upkeep communication, as well as to facilitate court attendances according to the dictates of the Court. We ask all visitors to bear with us as the measures adopted to prevent the virus from entering the prison will tardy the visit process. Additionally, we are urging visitors to exercise responsibility if they are experiencing any symptoms of the viral illness, and refrain from visiting the nation’s prisons.

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Communications Department

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO PRISON SERVICE

623-7070 Ext 5103

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - COVID-19(Coronavirus)Policy Development

The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service advises that a committee has been established for the development/implementation of a policy to treat with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) within the confines of the prison.

The committee comprises of members from key departments of the Prison Service which include the Prisons Administration, the Prisons Officers' Association, Prisons Medical Officers, Infirmary Officers, Reception and Visit Officers, OSHA, and the Legal and Communications Departments.

On Friday March 06, 2020, the committee members were addressed by County Medical Officer for St. George East, Dr. Osafo Fraser. He gave a detailed and comprehensive presentation on the facts associated with COVID-19. Additionally, he presented the guidelines/requirements necessary to formulate a practical and effective policy in the identification, treatment and control of the virus within the Prisons. It is expected that the policy will be finalized and published for the information of all staff members later this week.

Commissioner of Prisons (Ag.), Mr. Dennis Pulchan has commended the committee members for the immediacy, urgency and passion displayed in treating with the information received relative to the virus, and for making the necessary arrangements to facilitate the development of the policy.

The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service remains committed to the overall safety and security of all members of staff and charges, and will continue to implement and utilize feasible measures to ensure same.

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Communications Department

Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service.