A group of 16 prison officers took part in a promotions parade yesterday to mark their rise through the ranks of the Department of Corrections.

Eleven officers were promoted from Basic Officer to Divisional Officer and five officers from Divisional Officer to Principal Officer.

The promoted officers are principal officer Ryan Belboda, principal officer Michael Christopher, principal officer Sandra Gomes, principal officer Dwight Richards, principal officer Atiba Tucker, divisional officer Arturo Attride-Stirling, divisional officer Richard Basden, divisional officer Sabrina Bourne, divisional officer Diana Caisey, divisional officer Jayson Dill, divisional officer Donna Hanley-Whitfield, divisional officer Carlos Lee, divisional officer Freeman Smith, divisional officer Winette Thomas, divisional Officer Scott Turner, and divisional officer Jairzinho Warren.

The Junior Minister for National Security, Senator Jeffrey Baron, presented the officers with promotional badges during the ceremony outside the Clocktower Mall.

Commissioner of Corrections, Lt Col Edward Lamb described the promotions as “an exciting milestone for the Department of Corrections”.

The newly promoted officers have been deployed throughout the Department to assume their assigned roles and duties.

Their promotions are effective October 13, 2014.