Three public servants, with up to 40 collective years of service, were last week dismissed from their posts as prison officers, following the findings of a tribunal, established by the Public Service Commission (PSC).{{more}}
The men were three of five prison officers, who, almost two years ago, were arrested and charged by police, for assisting former prisoner Alister âTombstoneâ Smith to scam unsuspecting individuals, while Smith was incarcerated at Her Majestyâs Prisons in Kingstown.
The two other officers should have been back on the job yesterday, one of them having been fined $500.
All five were originally charged by the police, but it was later recommended by Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams, that a tribunal determine their fate instead of the courts.
SEARCHLIGHT understands that the men were charged that in 2011, they âknowingly and without the knowledge of the Superintendent,â communicated with persons on behalf of Smith, who was at the time an inmate.
Smith was released two weeks ago after serving more than three years in prison for deception.
The charges against the prison officers stated that they were in contravention of rule 152, which prohibits prison officers from having, directly or indirectly, pecuniary interests or business transactions on behalf of inmates.
The three prison officers who have been dismissed, as well as the officer who has been fined, have the right to appeal the decisions of the PSC within 28 days of receipt of their letters, which were dated November 19.(JJ)
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