Newly-promoted prison officers have been warned that excessive sick leave and absenteeism, among other shortcomings, can cost them their jobs with the Prison Service.
The officers were also warned not to allow people to feather their nests at their expense and to stay away from those who wanted to travel a non-productive path.
Superintendent of Prisons, Lieutenant Colonel John Nurse, issued the warnings while addressing a promotion ceremony for the appointment of Prison Officers I and II at Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds, St Philip, yesterday.
He told the 148 officers that job performance was critical and thanked all staff who had waited for the process to be completed and demonstrated “a most disciplined approach to the process”.
Nurse also reminded his staff that failure to successfully complete their annual efficiency training and testing; instances of indiscipline, general attitude, deportment and performance all mattered in moving up the ranks.
“A few weeks ago I had the privilege of congratulating the first set of POIs to be promoted and appointed for this year. Today I again have the privilege to repeat that process . . . .You are our leaders and our agents of change. We expect you to [know] and understand the mission and objectives of the Prison Service and to uphold them and to guide and encourage others to follow suit. As leaders, you must take a strong stance against all types of indiscipline, negativity and actions which cast a negative light on the Prison Service and its activities,” he said.
“We must be ever watchful of those who have their own interest at heart and would seek to use our efforts to feather their own nests and at our expense. Identify them, know them and stay away from their path of destruction and turmoil,” said Nurse. (JS)
