The Police High Command has ordered the closure of the Half-Way Tree lock-up in St Andrew because of health concerns. 

Our news centre has received reports that the Kingston and St Andrew Public Health Department had threatened to close the facility. 

Assistant Commissioner of Police, George Quallo, who oversees the area in which Half-Way Tree falls, says the High Command is aware of the concerns.

He says before the health department issued a closure order, since Tuesday, the force has been removing all prisoners.

[LOC45]

In the past, the Half-Way Tree lock-up has been cited for being overcrowded and being overrun by rats.

In recent weeks there were reports that a prisoner became ill after he was bitten on his foot by a rat. 

Quallo says he is not aware of that report.

However, its understood that the prisoner has been receiving medical attention.