Prison inmates get uniforms

Commissioner of Corrections, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Prendergast says about 2,800 inmates have already received their new prison uniforms.

That is 2/3 of the islands total prison population, which is about 4,500 at any given time.

The Department of Correctional Services began issuing uniforms to inmates 2 weeks ago at two of its facilities: the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre and the St. Catherine Correctional Centre.

Tower Street has about 1,600 inmates, while the St. Catherine prison has 1,200 inmates.

Female inmates at the Fort Augusta Prison already have a uniform system, which they will continue using.

Colonel Prendergast says about $7.4 m has already been spent by government to provide the uniforms under this first phase of the project.

The overall uniform project will cost government about $12.4 m.

The prison boss says under the Corrections Act, inmates are required to wear uniforms.

The new uniforms are simple elastic waist khaki trousers and white t-shirts.

Colonel Prendergast says for security reasons, he cannot disclose how long the uniform project will take, but he did indicate that phase one is expected to be completed by the end of September.

Colonel Prendergast adds that the gradual phasing out of inmates wearing civilian clothing, will also help eliminate problems with designer brand name clothing.