Jamaican Prisons Ban Two Men From Sharing Cells to Prevent ‘Certain Behaviours’

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has revealed that male inmates are housed either individually or in groups of three, deliberately avoiding two prisoners sharing a cell because of concerns about sexual activity, violence and inmate safety.

Commissioner of Corrections Brigadier (Ret’d) Radgh Mason outlined the longstanding arrangement during Wednesday’s meeting of Parliament’s Internal and External Affairs Committee, where lawmakers examined overcrowding and living conditions in the country’s correctional institutions.

According to Mason, the decision to house three inmates together instead of two is based on historical experiences within the prison system.

“Where there is a shared cell, it has to be three inmates. Cultural reality is when you have two, other kinds of behaviours are possible and take place,” Mason told the committee.

He explained that the presence of a third prisoner could discourage certain activities while also providing assistance if a confrontation occurred between cellmates.

The commissioner maintained that the arrangement was primarily a safety measure, noting that correctional authorities had deliberately moved away from the two-person cell system used in some other jurisdictions.

MP Questions Whether Policy Targets Homosexual Activity

Opposition spokesman on National Security Fitz Jackson challenged Mason to explain whether the policy was specifically designed to discourage homosexual activity among male prisoners.

Jackson suggested that the commissioner was avoiding directly addressing the issue.

However, Mason stopped short of confirming that preventing same-sex sexual activity was the reason behind the arrangement.

Instead, he emphasised that the department assesses inmates according to their individual circumstances and separates vulnerable prisoners when necessary.

“We separate persons who we find to be vulnerable for whatever the reason,” Mason said, explaining that inmate classification and separation are important components of prison security.

Tower Street Prison Severely Overcrowded

The discussion also exposed serious overcrowding at Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston, where the inmate population has climbed significantly beyond the facility’s intended capacity.

Member of Parliament for St Andrew North Western Duane Smith raised concerns about sleeping arrangements, sanitation and the general conditions facing prisoners.

Smith noted that the institution was designed to accommodate approximately 800 to 850 inmates but was housing more than 1,500.

Mason confirmed that Tower Street currently holds 1,569 prisoners despite having an official capacity of 850.

That means the institution is operating at approximately 185 per cent of its intended capacity.

Smith stressed that proper bedding, cleanliness and adequate living space were essential to rehabilitation, particularly for individuals awaiting trial or appealing their convictions.

More Than 200 Inmates to Be Relocated

In response, Mason said the department had introduced several measures aimed at improving prison conditions and reducing overcrowding.

He disclosed that 4,000 new mattresses had been purchased over the previous two financial years and that 120 cells had already been refurbished.

The commissioner said more than 200 inmates would be transferred from Tower Street to other correctional facilities before the end of November.

He expressed optimism that the overcrowding situation would be significantly improved before the current financial year ends.

According to Mason, Tower Street is presently the only correctional institution in Jamaica operating above its designated capacity.

Security Concerns Affect Bathroom Access

The commissioner also addressed concerns about access to bathroom facilities after inmates are locked in their cells at night.

Although bathrooms have been renovated at Tower Street, Mason explained that allowing unrestricted movement after lockdown could increase the risk of fights, stabbings and other security incidents.

He said the department was exploring the installation of electronic locking systems that would allow correctional officers to control access to individual cells more effectively.

The parliamentary discussion highlighted the challenges facing Jamaica’s correctional system as authorities attempt to balance prison security, overcrowding, rehabilitation and humane treatment of people in custody.

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