Prison Officer Joel George has been charged with contraband possession after being detained at the Maximum Security Prison.

Officer George, who has over thirteen years of service, was found to be in possession of prohibited articles during a routine search by the Prisons Interdiction Team (PIT), when he attempted to enter the Wayne Jackson Building at the Maximum Security Prison last Sunday.

The officer was cautioned about his actions and the Arouca Police were called in.

He was taken to the Arouca Police Station for inquires and was subsequently charged for ‘Possession of Prohibited Articles’ under the Prison Act as Amended, by #20443 WPC Dhoray.

He was granted bail with surety in the sum of sixty thousand dollars $60.000.00 when he appeared virtually before the Arima Magistrate’s Court.

Commissioner of Prisons (Ag), Mr Deopersad Ramoutar has noted his satisfaction as he continues to crackdown on nefarious officers, paving the way for administrative procedures to follow.

He said that searches and additional security checks and balances are at full throttle to alleviate instances of trafficking.

Commissioner Ramoutar added that complementary to the security elements, rehabilitative mechanisms and initiatives are being employed which lends to reducing tensions and increasing staff satisfaction within the Prison Service.