MINISTER OF National Security and Justice, K.D. Knight, has ordered the closure of the Barnett Street police lock-up, Montego Bay, St. James, citing overcrowding in the outdated and crumbling buildings.
As a result, the 68 prisoners being housed there are to be relocated to the lock-ups at the new 100-man police station at Catherine Hall within a few weeks, and derelict buildings at the Barnett Street station will be demolished, Mr. Knight said.
According to his Ministry, Mr. Knight made the decision after he toured police stations at Barnett Street, Catherine Hall and other places in St. James on Friday.
Mr. Knight said the facilities at the Catherine Hall police station were under-utilised with the lock-ups being only 12 per cent occupied, while other stations, in particular that at Barnett Street, were under strain as a result of its outdated and crumbling facility as well as overcrowding.
In ordering the closure of the lock-up, Mr. Knight stressed the need for proper rationalisation of resources and observance of the human rights of individuals. Mr. Knight said the Ministry would be effecting minor modifications to the Catherine Hall police station to enhance the function of the facility, in particular the establishment of a sterile area and reinforcing the cell area in view of the impending increase in the prison population there.
Major repairs will be undertaken at the Barnett Street police station. Those buildings which are not demolished will be repaired, cleaned and painted, the Minister said.
He was accompanied on the tour by Mayor of Montego Bay Hugh Solomon, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Elaine Baker and other officials of the Ministry, along with out-going Superintendent for St. James, Leon Rose and his successor Superintendent Owen Ellington.
