MP Christopher Brown concerned by fatal inmate stabbing, calls for overcrowding redress at Annotto Bay lock-up
/ Our Today
administrator
People’s National Party (PNP) MP for Saint Mary South Eastern, Christopher Brown, is expressing deep concern about the reports of a fatal incident involving persons in custody at the Annotto Bay Police Station lock-up.
In a statement over the weekend, Brown asserted that what makes the situation especially troubling is the long-standing issue of overcrowding at the Annotto Bay lock-up – a concern he has raised before.
“The facility was built to accommodate 12 persons, yet recent information suggests it has been holding close to five times that number, with approximately 50 detainees confined in a space meant for far fewer. These conditions are unsafe, unsanitary, and unacceptable. They create an environment where violence is more likely to occur, and where neither detainees nor police officers can operate safely or humanely,” he said.
In light of the deadly incident, Brown is calling for:
- A full and immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the reported death, with clear and timely communication to the public.
- Urgent action to address the severe overcrowding at the Annotto Bay lock-up, including immediate relief measures and a review of how individuals are being housed.
- A clear plan from the relevant authorities to improve conditions at the facility and prevent any further harm.
The MP further highlighted that he is calling upon the Ministry of National Security to urgently direct attention and resources to the wider policing situation in the constituency.
He noted that the Belfield Police Station is in a state of total disrepair, raising serious concerns about the conditions under which the men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force are required to work.
Additionally, the Richmond Police Station—and particularly the lock-up there—is also in a troubling state, presenting risks both to detainees and to the officers stationed there. He is therefore appealing for urgent, immediate intervention from the Ministry of National Security.
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