Prisons need sh7b to care for terror suspects
Jun 16, 2011
The Uganda Prisons Service needs sh7b to train its staff in handling terror suspects, prisons publicist Frank Baine has said. Baine said prison warders lacked the skills needed to handle terror suspects delivered to them for remand despite the increasing rate of crimes related to terror.
BY PETRIDE MUDOOLA
The Uganda Prisons Service needs sh7b to train its staff in handling terror suspects, prisons publicist Frank Baine has said. Baine said prison warders lacked the skills needed to handle terror suspects delivered to them for remand despite the increasing rate of crimes related to terror.
Speaking to New Vision recently, Baine also called for specialised facilities for terror suspects. “Owing to the heinous crimes committed, terror suspects should not be kept as a group. They should also not be allowed to interact with ordinary suspects because they could influence them,†he said.
This development comes after a recent request for the funds in form of a supplementary budget, was turned down. The request was made by the deputy commissioner of Prisons, James Mwanje, to Parliament.
Currently, 22 terror suspects are on remand at Luzira Prison awaiting trial. According to Baine, although security at the prison has been beefed up, there is need to equip the warders with sophisticated gadgets to manage terror suspects.
“They require 24-hour surveillance because these are people who are ready to die any time. Custodians should be protected to ensure that they are not targeted by the suspects,†Baine said.
He said vehicles transporting terror suspects should be bullet-proof to ensure their safety and that of the warders.
“Currently, there are no specialised transport facilities for the suspects. They are usually ferried on double-cabin pick-up trucks escorted by the Police and army,†Baine said.
He said warders should also be trained to transform suspects detained due to ideological reasons as is the case in the US, Israel, Pakistan and the UK.
“Our warders are only trained to handle ordinary criminals,†Baine said.
The Uganda Prisons Service needs sh7b to train its staff in handling terror suspects, prisons publicist Frank Baine has said. Baine said prison warders lacked the skills needed to handle terror suspects delivered to them for remand despite the increasing rate of crimes related to terror.
Speaking to New Vision recently, Baine also called for specialised facilities for terror suspects. “Owing to the heinous crimes committed, terror suspects should not be kept as a group. They should also not be allowed to interact with ordinary suspects because they could influence them,†he said.
This development comes after a recent request for the funds in form of a supplementary budget, was turned down. The request was made by the deputy commissioner of Prisons, James Mwanje, to Parliament.
Currently, 22 terror suspects are on remand at Luzira Prison awaiting trial. According to Baine, although security at the prison has been beefed up, there is need to equip the warders with sophisticated gadgets to manage terror suspects.
“They require 24-hour surveillance because these are people who are ready to die any time. Custodians should be protected to ensure that they are not targeted by the suspects,†Baine said.
He said vehicles transporting terror suspects should be bullet-proof to ensure their safety and that of the warders.
“Currently, there are no specialised transport facilities for the suspects. They are usually ferried on double-cabin pick-up trucks escorted by the Police and army,†Baine said.
He said warders should also be trained to transform suspects detained due to ideological reasons as is the case in the US, Israel, Pakistan and the UK.
“Our warders are only trained to handle ordinary criminals,†Baine said.