00:00A rare and very public split has emerged within the leadership of the Prison Officers Association.
00:07At the heart of the dispute is a letter sent by the Association's General Secretary Lester Logie
00:13to the Minister of Homeland Security raising concerns about preferential treatment
00:19being afforded to businessman Dominic Hadid at the Golden Grove Remand Prison.
00:24The Association's president says that letter did not have the approval of the organization's leadership.
00:32In a strongly worded message to members, President Jared Gordon says he was neither consulted nor informed
00:39before the correspondence was prepared or released.
00:42He said, quote, I, as president of the Prison Officers Association,
00:46was neither consulted nor informed prior to the preparation or release of that correspondence.
00:52At no time was the matter presented before the executive committee for discussion, consideration, or approval, end quote.
01:01Gordon says respecting the Association's constitution is critical to maintaining confidence in its leadership.
01:08He argues that positions affecting members, particularly on sensitive operational matters,
01:14should only be adopted after collective discussion and proper authorization, saying, quote,
01:19Our credibility as an organization depends not only on our willingness to advocate,
01:25but also on our commitment to fairness, impartiality, and responsible leadership, end quote.
01:31But just as questions were being raised about the president's statement,
01:35the Association released another statement through its public relations officer.
01:40Rather than distancing itself from the General Secretary's correspondence,
01:44the Association defended his decision to write to the minister.
01:47It says seeking clarification on matters affecting the prison system is part of the Association's representative role.
01:55It reads, quote,
01:56The General Secretary has every right to raise concerns or seek clarification
02:00where members believe there may be issues affecting fairness, transparency, accountability,
02:06or the integrity of the prison system, end quote.
02:09The statement also rejected suggestions that the letter challenge the authority of Commissioner of Prisons Carlos Carraspe.
02:16Instead, it says the commissioner remains fully empowered to make operational decisions,
02:22including approving special accommodations where security, medical advice, or prison regulations require them.
02:29The Association says requesting greater transparency and recognizing the commissioner's legal authority
02:35are not conflicting positions, saying, quote,
02:47The exchange comes as Hadid's detention continues to face legal scrutiny at the courts,
02:54with his attorneys arguing that his conditions of confinement have negatively affected his health.
02:59For the Prison Officers Association, however, the spotlight has shifted beyond the detainee himself
03:05to questions about governance, internal decision-making,
03:09and whether the organization's leadership is speaking with one voice.
03:14The public exchange has laid bare differing views within the Association
03:18over process, authority, and representation
03:21at a time when the prison service is already under intense public scrutiny.
03:27Arvishita Wari Rupnarain, TV6 News.
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