National Security Minister Carlton Alfonso says a combined effort will be made among the protective services and the Prisons Service to protect prisons officers.
He was speaking in the wake of several reports of threats against members of the Prisons Service.
Commissioner of Prisons Sterling Stewart has advised his fellow prisons officers to be vigilant after members of the service received information about a hit man who was hired to "kill" several prisons officers.
In a telephone interview yesterday, Alfonso said: “I am very concerned about what is happening. They have their challenges and the Commissioner of Prisons has his hands full at this time.
“They need the law enforcement assistance and the Defence Force. They have the offer of assistance if they want it.”
Alfonso said a meeting on the threat was held between acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams and Stewart on Monday.
“Things are pretty grim and he (Stewart) has to handle it and he has to get assistance from the combined ministry.
“We have spoken and the Commissioner of Prisons is going to get the law enforcement praterity who will deal with the situation. It is clearly getting out of hand in prisons.
“We have to stop it, with the assistance of the Defence Force and other law enforcement agencies, before it gets worse,” he said.
Alfonso said there was a lot of violent talk being done over social sites.
“The law enforcement people will have to take command of it,” he added.
Sources said the riot that began last week was all part of a ploy to kidnap and hold several prisons officers for ransom at the Golden Grove Prison, Arouca.
Last week, a riot began in the prison after several cells were searched and contraband items found.
ASJA president Yacoob Ali said his organisation did not condone violence.
“We would not encourage any violence or action of that nature. I am sure there are other ways and disciplinary action can be taken and dealt with.
“Law and order have to take charge and we hope peace will prevail. if they wish to fast they should allowed to practice freely,” he added.
MORE INFO
• Statements made against prison officers on a social site:
One man: “Find out the prisons officers involved. I am going to extract retribution in Shaa Allah.”
Another’s answer: “Just as they class us as one when they are beating us likewise my brother Abu Dharr class them as one when you are extracting retribution. No need to know the officers who did this.”
First answer: “Officers who was not in the beating of the brother give us the names of the officers that did the beating if you don't we will take your head instead.“In Shaa Allah.”
Another discussion: “We need to rise up against the protective services. When last a police or soldier get murdered.”