Commentary

Good food for prisoners?

YESTERDAY, THE STAR reported that attorney-at-law Patrick Bailey complained about the quality of food at the Horizon Remand Centre, on behalf of his client Herbert Henry.

Henry is involved in an extradition hearing over allegations of trying to export cocaine to the United States.

The Correctional Services have had problems with their caterers over the past couple weeks and while it was not said if this is the cause of the conditions which led to the complaint (it was the second one), it is highly possible.

Whatever the outcome of the complaint (it was explained that the situation had improved after the first complaint, only to deteriorate again), it raises the question of whether the prison system should be a place to cushion and/or correct.

Clearly, it is not right to have persons locked up and then not feed them properly. However, there is a point at which being locked up becomes extremely comfortable, so much so that THE STAR was able to report a few weeks ago that one man had enjoyed prison overseas so much that he had been reluctant to leave.

It is very doubtful that the Jamaican system will ever reach such levels of material comfort, but if Mr. Henry is extradited, is convicted overseas and incarcerated, he can take comfort in the prospects of much better food there than at the Horizon Remand Centre.

The thought may be of some comfort to him as he goes through the court process.