KINGSTON, Jamaica, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Jamaican authorities said they are investigating a breach at a maximum-security prison in which inmates held a marijuana- and alcohol-filled party.
The discovery of about 121 photographs taken of the Dec. 27 party by a correctional officer sparked the investigation, The Gleaner of Kingston reported Sunday.
"A breach of this nature cannot be allowed to happen again. The Ministry of National Security is aware of the situation and is expected to commence an investigation," said a source within the prison system whose name was not reported. "They were drinking Alozade, Hennessy, rum, rum cream -- all expensive high-end stuff. There is no evidence to show that officers were drinking, but one of them took the pictures."
The correctional officer responsible for taking the photographs did not deny his involvement.
"He said the bottles were filled with water and that weed was a regular occurrence seen since joining the system," the informant said.
Lt. Col. Sean Prendergast, head of the Department of Correctional Services, told The Gleaner the inmates were observed using cellphones and wearing expensive clothing and shoes. The prison doesn't require prisoners to wear uniforms, but they are limited to the kind and amount of civilian clothes they are allowed to have, he said.
"Now what these photographs showed is that they were allowed to keep things well beyond what we would think is sensible and what would be required for an inmate who is doing time," Prendergast said.
