Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
The death of an inmate at the Arouca Maximum Security Prison (MSP) yesterday morning has reignited concerns over prison staffing levels and the ability of officers to adequately protect inmates.
President of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), Gerard Gordon, said a shortage of prison officers can hamper their ability to carry out their duties, creating security gaps and compromising inmate safety.
Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday in response to the death of 48-year-old inmate Christopher Banfield, Gordon described the incident as tragic.
Banfield’s body was discovered on the floor of his cell at around 5.30 am by a prison officer conducting routine rounds.
Investigations revealed that Banfield was involved in an argument with another prisoner on Monday night, during which he was severely beaten, sustaining injuries to his body, head and face.
He was taken to the prison infirmary, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Sources said Banfield had been imprisoned for the murder of his 75-year-old father, Peter Banfield, in Flanagin Town in June 2025.
Asked whether he believed Banfield’s death could have been prevented if more prison officers were available, Gordon said, “Given the current constraints that we have, our ability to interrupt, intercept and prevent these things are very much compromised.”
Gordon explained that prisons are typically placed under lockdown between 9 pm and 5 am, during which officers remain stationed at their posts or control kiosks.
“Once the prison is mastered, which is locked down, the officers have no access or ready access to the corridors or the divisions.
“They (prison officers) will most likely be locked into the control kiosks and that is where they will spend their duty. Oftentimes, you may hear things at night, or you may not hear things at all, depending on the situation and location.”
Referring to recent comments by Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander, who promised 800 new prison officers would be recruited, Gordon said an increase in staffing would improve prison coverage, particularly during night shifts. He described current staffing levels as “far from optimal.”
He noted that while prison officers are required to conduct routine rounds and inspections, staffing shortages remain a significant challenge.
Contacted for comment, acting Prisons Commissioner Carlos Corraspe said he had not yet reviewed the report into Banfield’s death and did not wish to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
However, he acknowledged that staffing challenges exist within the prison system but stressed that officers are expected to perform their duties to the best of their ability, including responding to emergencies when alerted.
“... I do not want to be premature in saying what could have, or should have, or could not have happened, but there is a requirement once the officer is posted to be able to make rounds of inspection and sometimes, if there are other inmates in the cell, there may be inmates raising an alarm, so I don’t want to speculate too much, but there are some mechanisms that will allow you to do your job notwithstanding the constraints.”
