Retired DCP Jevene Bent

Retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Jevene Bent is tipped to assume the position of commissioner of corrections.

Gleaner sources revealed yesterday that Bent, who retired last month as the first female deputy commissioner of police (DCP) in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), is set to take up the position currently held by Lieutenant Colonel Sean Prendergast.

Prendergast is to demit office at the end of the month to go on pre-retirement leave from the Jamaica Defence Force after serving a three-year stint at the Department of Corrections.
Prendergast succeeded June Spence-Jarrett in the wake of the damning findings of a commission of enquiry into the Armadale tragedy three years ago.

When contacted by The Gleaner about the appointment, Bent said: "I can't respond to that."
Last night, National Security Minister Peter Bunting noted that such appointments are made by the Public Service Commission and not the political directorate.

If confirmed,Bent's appointment would coincide with heightened public interest in the treatment of youths under state care in the aftermath of the suicide of a ward of the state as well as mounting concerns over their placement and treatment by members of the correctional services who have direct responsibility for their care.