Acting Prisons Commissioner Deopersad Ramoutar has condemned an attempted assassination of Deputy Prisons Commissioner Sherwin Bruce.

Around 7:05am today, unknown assailants opened fire, wounding Mr Bruce’s driver and forcing the Deputy Commissioner to defend himself by returning fire.

The driver, identified as Prison Officer Steve Phipps, was then taken to hospital for treatment.

Mr Ramoutar described the ordeal as ‘cowardly’ and ‘unfortunate’.

He is calling on ex inmates and inmates who support the Prison Service to provide any information, or even to conduct a citizen’s arrest and bring those responsible in restraints in front of the Port of Spain Prison gate.

The Acting Commissioner believes this will send a strong message to the criminal elements.

The Prison Service says it is working closely with the TTPS to investigate the incident.