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• Prison officers 'will uphold law' Uproar in jail over smoking ban  

Acting Commissioner of Prisons Martin Martinez says his officers will not be daunted or intimidated by recent attacks against them by condemned inmates over a cigarette-smoking ban on Death Row.

Martinez was referring to a hunger strike, which began last Friday by 37 convicted killers, who are protesting the smoking ban.

The acting Commissioner imposed the ban in keeping with the provisions of the Tobacco Control Bill, which prohibits smoking in enclosed public places. The legislation took effect on February 17 (Ash Wednesday).

In response, prisoners on Death Row hurled faeces and shouted obscenities and threats at officers assigned to the condemned block on Monday at the Port of Spain prison.

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