Illegal cellphones smuggled into Trinidad’s prisons are becoming a significant security concern, with reports indicating that some phones are loaded with prepaid credit values ranging from $8,000 to $11,000. This alarming trend allows inmates to maintain and run criminal networks from within prison walls, despite intensified security measures aimed at curbing such activities. The prevalence of contraband cellphones has sparked urgent calls for action to prevent further smuggling.
An interview with Gordon in the Sunday Guardian highlighted the seriousness of the situation, stating it is crucial to address the flow of contraband into correctional facilities. The problem escalated to the extent that the government was compelled to declare a State of Emergency (SoE) on July 18, in response to the rampant use of cellphones by prisoners. Following the SoE declaration, significant security measures were implemented, resulting in the relocation of ten inmates from the Maximum Security Prison to Teteron Barracks after a plot to assassinate officials was uncovered.
Illegal phones are reportedly smuggled by corrupt prison staff, with inmates paying between $2,000 and $4,000 for access to them. During coordinated searches conducted between January and February, authorities confiscated 90 illegal phones, underscoring the scale of the issue. Gordon noted that a telecom provider revealed that prisons absorb a significant portion of prepaid credit transactions, with daily usage rates alarming enough to warrant immediate action.
Some confiscated phones were discovered with substantial prepaid credit balances, indicating that the credit was being replenished by outside sources, knowingly or unknowingly supporting these illicit activities. The credit can be added through various methods, including in-store purchases and online platforms, with minimal restrictions on daily transactions, allowing for easy facilitation of these contraband operations. The growing dependence on illegal cellphones by inmates not only poses a security threat but also raises significant concerns regarding the integrity of Trinidad’s correctional system.
