The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) transport centre recently received a significant boost in the form of vehicles valued at $14.4 million.

Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Dr. Donald Rhodd, officially handed over 11 motorcycles, one 3-seat bus, one Nissan panel van, an ambulance, and one Suzuki Grand Vitara at a ceremony held at the department's transport centre, on Tower Street, in Kingston.

Commissioner of Corrections, Major Richard Reese, said the vehicles were critical to the administration and operations of the department.

"Transportation is critical in terms of moving our staff and also for logistic support in times of natural disasters, where we have to relocate inmates from one institution to another dependent on the risks that are associated," he said.

Major Reese stated that he was "quite confident that the new vehicles will be maintained properly".

Meanwhile, Dr. Rhodd said the fleet will improve the quality of service of the DCS transport centre.

"This will enhance the comfort level of the members of staff of the DCS and if we have a happy staff they are going to perform better," he said

In the meantime, he said the Ministry will soon be implementing its electronic monitoring pilot project for certain categories of offenders including parolees, licencees, and inmates who qualify for Conditional Release Work Programmes.

The State Minister noted that Cabinet has already approved the use of global positioning system to monitor offenders in Jamaica, beginning with a two-year pilot project, the commencement of which is to be announced at a later date.

"A project manager has already been recruited and the selection for a staff member is on-going. In addition to assisting the quality of the work in the DCS, I think it is going to save the taxpayers some money," Dr. Rhodd said.