Port of Spain Prison Decommissioned, Inmates to be Relocated

The government recently announced the decommissioning and phased relocation of the Port of Spain Prison, ending longstanding rights violations linked to outdated infrastructure. The prison built in the 18th century has been frequently criticized as unfit for humane custody, costing the state years of compensation for overcrowding and poor conditions. The decommissioning could also unlock safer city operations and future redevelopment. The relocation plan includes moving remand and condemned inmates to other facilities, upgrading these facilities to accommodate additional population, and relocating the gallows at a new site. Authorities have assured that all due-process protections will be retained. The move is expected to improve environmental control for prison officers and curb illicit communications and contraband flows. The future of the Port of Spain site could be a museum, public library, or a commercial redevelopment.