Four police officers at the Denham Town lockup in Kingston were attacked by inmates armed with faeces and urine on Ash Wednesday. The station had to be shut down after the attack, which happened around 9:30 p.m.
During that time, families were visiting their loved ones at the station. When the chaos ensued, visitation was abruptly halted, leaving several relatives upset and frustrated.
Superintendent Justin Woolcook, commanding officer for the Kingston West Division, explained that officers had entered one of the six cells at the lockup to retrieve containers for family members when the inmates launched their attack.
He said that, based on the reports of the officers, the occupants of cell number three began throwing faeces, urine, and water on the lawmen. The policemen regained control, but not without using force. “The police quickly got them back under control and got them back into their cell; force had to be used to do that,” Superintendent Woolcook told Nationwide News.
At the time of the attack, the cell held 16 inmates, while four officers entered to manage the situation. According to Woolcook, all four officers sustained injuries during the confrontation, and several inmates, totalling eight or nine, were also hurt.
Following the incident, the officers and inmates were transported to the Kingston Public Hospital to receive medical attention. At the time of the media interview, some of them were still at the facility being treated. Although eight to nine inmates were hurt during the riot, only five of them seemingly needed medical attention and were being treated at the hospital.
“Medical attention is being given as we speak. Five are at KPH getting medical attention. The officers are also treated at the same facility,” he continued. He also confirmed that family visits scheduled for Sunday would proceed as planned, provided no further disturbances occur.