Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

Appearing as a woman, wearing hair extensions and acrylic nails, a 17-year-old male accused was able to deceive the police and was subsequently remanded at a women's prison - the Fort Augusta Adult Correctional Centre, in St. Catherine.

A source close to The Gleaner said the accused, who was admitted to the correctional centre on Friday, January 5, was also wearing a G-string and a brassiere.

The Gleaner was also informed that investigations are being conducted to determine whether the accused had sexual intercourse with any of the inmates at Fort Augusta.

A release issued, yesterday, by the Department of Correctional Services stated that a board of enquiry had been convened to investigate the circumstances under which a juvenile accused, who was admitted to the correctional centre, turned out to be a cross-dresser.

Commissioner of Corrections, Major Richard Reese, stated in the release that, the department had made a report to the police for them to launch their own investigations. The juvenile had been placed at another institution.

Probe launched

Major Reese further stated that the departmental board of enquiry would also launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest, remand, admission and reception of the accused.

The Gleaner source said the accused was held by the police on New Year's Day in the Corporate Area for driving a vehicle without the owner's consent.

The juvenile, who was taken to a police station, was then arrested and charged. Subsequently, he was housed with females, who were later bailed.

However, the source said the accused then returned to the Traffic Court, last Friday, when the case was transferred to the Family Court, and the juvenile remanded in custody. The police then took him to Fort Augusta, where the court had ordered that he be remanded.

On Monday, the accused went to the Family court and while there, a man recognised him to be a male.

The court then ordered him to be examined by a female officer and it was confirmed that he was a male.

The Gleaner's source said the juvenile is now remanded in his correct name at a correctional institution.