THE lackadaisical attitude of some court workers is being blamed for unease among prisoners at the Princes Town Magistrates’ Court.

Sources told TnT Mirror that work morale at the courthouse was very poor.

“Prisoners and others who have to do business at the courthouse are, therefore, suffering tremendously,” a source at the court said.

A particular senior member of staff was said to be responsible for the crisis at the court.

“The member of staff is away from work for most of the working hours.

“Staffers are left without any guidance and are seen liming in the rum shop and shopping during working hours.

“When the senior staffer is away, the work load is thrown to the next-in-command, who could hardly do all the work.

“This is causing a great setback where persons have to wait long hours to get their business settled.

“A simple situation as paying child maintenance can take hours.

“A man on an obscene language charge could reach prisons before he gets bail,” Mirror was informed.

Sources said the next-in-command was not authorised to do all court procedures.

The source said work from the courthouse was often sent to another courthouse for authorisation.

“Many persons ended in jail due to this slow system.

“The prisoners on Remand suffer a great deal.

“The setback causes the transport back to the Remand prison to leave late, sometimes at 5 p.m.

“Then, they have to pass at the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court to collect prisoners.

“When the prisoners arrive at the jail, they reach too late and do not get food for the evening.

“This starvation causes the prisoners to react violently when they come to court.

“They are angry about the slow system,” a source related.

Mirror understands that a police inspector complained to the Clerk of the Peace and a magistrate about the late return to the prisons.

The matter was reportedly directed to Justice of the Peace (JP) Errol Seepersad.

Sources said the situation continues.

“Just last week a man on 12 charges for a series of offences was stabbed in the cell.

“How many must suffer before action is taken.

“Why can’t the staffer stay on the job and get the work finished?

“Or simply give up the job if it is too demanding?” the source suggested.