Health and Safety Issues Threaten Training at Trinidad’s Prisons College

Serious health and sanitation issues are raising alarm about the Prisons Training College in Trinidad and Tobago. Reports indicate that the facility, originally a warehouse, is not adequately equipped to serve as a training environment for prison officers. Concerns have been voiced regarding dilapidated conditions, a faulty sewage system, and even a pigeon infestation, which poses health risks to trainees and staff. Notably, this facility is not just for new recruits; it also hosts mandatory courses for serving officers, educational visits, and other professional development activities.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of Trinidad and Tobago mandates that employers ensure safe conditions not just for workers, but for visitors and external organizations too. Critics argue that the college fails to meet these essential standards. With the current state of disarray, many question how prospective officers can be trained effectively in such an unsuitable environment. Calls for urgent repairs and proper system upgrades are intensifying, as stakeholders emphasize the need for a training facility that genuinely reflects the professionalism expected from corrections officers.