The Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service has significantly enhanced its operational capabilities through a substantial donation from the US Embassy, featuring two refurbished specialized vans and construction materials for a new whelping facility. The official handover ceremony occurred on December 17 at the Youth Transformation and Rehabilitation Centre in Golden Grove, Arouca, where dignitaries witnessed demonstration exercises by the canine unit.
The refurbished vehicles, purpose-built for the Prison Service’s canine division, and the newly established whelping station represent a strategic investment in institutional security and breeding infrastructure. The breeding facility now enables the unit to maintain and expand its canine population in a controlled, secure environment.
In addition to the transportation and breeding infrastructure, the embassy contributed operational equipment including a mist blower, brush cutter, pressure washer, washable dog pads, and enrichment toys for the animals.
The ceremony attracted high-ranking officials from both nations, featuring Commissioner of Prisons Carlos Corraspe, Deputy Commissioners Hayden Forde, Curtis Guy, and Elvin Scanterbury, alongside US Embassy representatives Chief of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Kelley Whitson, Saleem Boochoon, and Nathan Johnson. Debbie Jacob, a Newsday columnist and longstanding supporter of prison services, also attended the event.
Commissioner Corraspe highlighted the significance of bilateral cooperation, stating: “Today marks a celebration of the relationship between the US Embassy and the TT Prison Service. The Canine Unit represents one of our exemplary divisions, and the US Embassy has made substantial contributions to its development.” Addressing unit officers, Corraspe emphasized their “critical role in national security” and their responsibility for safeguarding both the prison system and broader community.
Whitson expressed strong interest in deepening institutional ties and anticipated ongoing collaboration between the two entities. The partnership reflects mutual dedication to capacity building, rehabilitation initiatives, and public safety enhancement, reinforcing a cooperative framework built upon mutual respect and sustained diplomatic engagement.