Pointe Blanche:--- The male prisoners at the Pointe Blanche prison are still in lock down as they continue what they describe as a peaceful strike. Prison Director Rudsel Ricardo said in an invited comment to SMN News that some of the prisoners want to end the strike but there is another group that is threatening those that want to work. Ricardo said the last time that same group attacked the prisoners who wanted to work. "The situation at the Pointe Blanche Prison is very tense because several prisoners are afraid for their lives." Ricardo said on Tuesday afternoon some of the prisoners lit some paper and threw it in the garbage bins causing a fire. He said the fire department and police reacted very quickly and brought the fire under control. Ricardo further explained that while that was taking place, the male prisoners were making noise because they claim they were being affected by the smoke. The Prison Director said that the female prisoners at the Pointe Blanche Prison are not part of the on-going strike. "The female prisoners are working normally and they are working very hard." In the meantime, Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams said that the Minister of Justice Roland Duncan is on top of the crisis at the Pointe Blanche prison. "The Minister is aware of the matter and he is handling it." In an invited comment, Minister of Justice Roland Duncan said that media has been giving the prisoners too much exposure. He said one has to understand that the prisoners are locked up for the crimes they committed and the Pointe Blanche prison is like a Hotel and Spa. Minister Duncan said he will not comment on the ongoing situation because in his opinion it's causing more trouble.
