Commissioner of Corrections Lieutenant Colonel Sean Prendergast expressed surprise yesterday after being advised that convicted murderer Rushon Hamilton fathered a child while in custody.

Prendergast told The Gleaner that the Department of Correctional Services did not allow conjugal visits.

He said checks would have to be made to see when Hamilton first came into the custody of the department.

"I can't be held responsible for what transpired when he was in police lock-up," said Prendergast.

He continued: "If it can be proven that while he was in the care of the department he fathered a child, then I will be asking serious questions."