The Prison Service is not in shambles according to Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds.
He made the comment after being told by Opposition Member of Parliament for Naparima, Rodney Charles, remarks from the President of the Prisons Officers Association indicated that the service was in shambles.
Speaking during proceedings on the Standing Finance Committee on the Ministry of National Security Monday, Minister Hinds made the disclosure in the context of answering a question on vacant positions in the prison service.
Mr Hinds gave a break down on the figures revealed the number of prison offices on the establishment is 4,271 of which the number of posts filled is 3,500.
He was asked by MP Charles when the vacant positions will be filled to which the Minister said the process is on-going with focus on recruitment, training and promotion.
However, MP Charles claimed because the issue of vacancies still exist this has resulted in high amount of overtime.
Minister Hinds in response to the comment made the POA President maintained while there is always room for improvement the prison service is not in crisis.