The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is advising the public that the suspension of visits to correctional centres will remain in effect until May 31, 2020.

The decision comes following an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and the location of correctional centres in quarantined areas.

While the DCS continues to provide meals for the inmates and children, relatives and friends are also reminded that they can continue to deposit money to the inmates’/wards’ tuck shop cards. Deposits can be made to Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotia Centre Branch).

Account name: Department of Corrections Project Fund, Account number: 10908-7815.

Upon completing the deposit, relatives/friends are required to send a WhatsApp message to 876-319-1616 or email projectdepartment@dcs.gov.jm  with the following:

1. The reference number or receipt number
2. Inmate/ward name and date of birth
3. Name of the correctional centre where relative is housed
4. Scanned copy or photograph of identification (drivers’ licenses, passport, national ID)
5. The maximum deposit per inmate/ward is twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) monthly.

To facilitate a faster and smoother transaction process, individuals engaging in face to face deposit at Scotiabank locations islandwide will be required to complete an additional step. When deposits are being made at the bank, the individual making the deposit should advise the teller that it’s a Bill Payment to the Department of Corrections’ Projects Accounts #109087815. The three-letter abbreviation for the institution is required followed by the senders’ nine-digit TRN.

In the meantime, relatives/friends of inmates/wards can continue to call the institution, where they are housed, to make an appointment to speak with them. The number for each institution is listed on the DCS website at www.dcs.gov.jm.