Officer shortage compromises prison safety, says POA

Shane Superville

The head of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) says chronic staffing shortages within the prison system are undermining officers’ ability to prevent violence and protect inmates, following the killing of a prisoner at the Maximum Security Prison (MSP), Arouca.

Speaking with Guardian Media on Tuesday after the death of 48-year-old Christopher Banfield, POA president Gerard Gordon described the incident as tragic and said inadequate manpower continues to affect security across prison facilities.

Banfield was found lying on the floor of his cell around 5.30 am on Tuesday by a prison officer conducting routine checks. Investigators later learned he had been beaten during an altercation with another inmate on Monday night and sustained severe injuries to his head and face. He was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to the prison infirmary.

Gordon said staffing levels within the prison service remained “far from optimal,” limiting officers’ ability to intervene before incidents escalate.

“Given the current constraints that we have, our ability to interrupt, intercept and prevent these things are very much compromised.”

He explained prison facilities are typically placed on lockdown from 9 pm to 5 am, during which officers remain at designated posts.

“Once the prison is mastered, which is locked down, the officers have no access or ready access to the corridors or the divisions.

“They will most likely be locked into the control kiosks and that is where they will spend their duty.

“Oftentimes you may hear things at night, or you may not hear things at all depending on the situation and location.”

Police said a prison officer discovered Banfield in a fetal position during inspections on Tuesday morning. The officer alerted colleagues and observed swelling to Banfield’s face and blood coming from his mouth.

He was taken to the prison infirmary, where no vital signs were detected. A district medical officer later pronounced him dead.

Officers from the Arouca Police Station and the Region II Homicide Bureau visited the prison and interviewed Banfield’s cellmates. Investigators were told Banfield became involved in an argument with another prisoner on Monday night which escalated into a fight. During the confrontation, he received multiple blows to his head, face and body.

His body was taken to a funeral home pending a post-mortem examination as investigations continue.