By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts– “That’s not true.”
So said Junie ‘Scrape’ Hodge during an interview conducted on Thursday 7th October when asked by this media house about circulated rumours claiming that he is no longer the Superintendent of Prisons.
As understood, he is currently on vacation and is expected to return to work early December.
Information widely circulated via social media yesterday afternoon alleged that Hodge was pushed out of the post following an argument with a top official from the Ministry of National Security while another report claimed that he handed over the position to someone else (Mr. Asheila Connor).
Although on vacation, Hodge cooperatively gave an update in regard to the investigation being carried out at the Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) on Cayon Street following two incidents which took place last week.
He informed that police is dealing with what happened there whilst pointing out “but the reason why it started, we are still trying to get to the bottom of it.”
When asked who will be the media contact while he is out on vacation, this media house was learnt that such dealings will be handled by Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Asheila Connor.
He (Hodge) was appointed to the post in February 2016.
In relation to the matter under investigation at the HMP, Hodge had confirmed in an earlier interview that two incidents took place on Monday 25th September and on Wednesday 27th September.
Unconfirmed reports reaching the Spokesman Newsroom indicate that the incidents stemmed from alleged fights between rival gang members.
Further information received disclosed that at least two inmates were sent to the hospital with stabs wounds to their upper body following the two separate incidents.
Visitation from members of the public has been put on pause for the time being until further notice.