Training for DCS Officers

Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., and officers from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) recently participated in the West Virginia 2017 Mock Prison Riot, as part of the Government’s move to improve safety in the local facilities.

The State Minister told JIS News that participation of the officers has equipped them with the knowledge to deal with any situation in the Jamaican prison system.

“The experience exposed our correctional officers to the latest tactical training and technology in the corrections industry globally. It offered demonstration and certification workshops that will enhance the delivery of effective prison security and management. It also expanded our knowledge and network, and we intend to utilise the suitable products and services to enhance our operations in Jamaica,” the State Minister said.

Senator Charles Jr. said the event also provided the officers with training on how to best approach and handle a riot situation.

“Officers were exposed to all the emerging and existing correction and law-enforcement technologies necessary to improve the safety and rehabilitation in our prisons. The mock riot also gave us opportunities to use and evaluate technologies in the training scenarios and helped us to utilise the information and test the effectiveness of the technologies, especially because we were placed in realistic situations,” the State Minister said.

Senator Charles Jr. noted that during the mock riot, they got the opportunity to put forward suggestions for modification of the technologies, based on the unique situation at the different prisons.

In the meantime, Director of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs office in Kingston, Garth Hall, said the mock prison riot also “facilitated the marriage of technology developers/exhibitors and end users, utilising the penitentiary for tactical training scenarios, technology demonstrations, workshops, a skills competition, and networking”.

The trip to West Virginia was sponsored by the United States Embassy.