Officers at the center of a corruption probe are under scrutiny again in connection with the assault of an inmate. Remand inmate Donald Lightbourne sustained a broken arm and head injuries during an "incident" in the cell block of the Central Police Station on Monday,

Chief Superintendent Bernis Pinder, the station's commanding officer, confirmed yesterday that the matter was under investigation, but he declined to give more information.

He said, "There was an incident that took place in the cell block [Monday]. I can say that the matter is being investigated at this time. There was an incident regarding the officers and an inmate. That's all I can say at this time."

According to well-placed sources, four officers have been implicated in the attack that left Lightbourne with injuries that required a trip to the hospital. The officers were reportedly forced to return Lightbourne to the station when prison guards refused to accept him because of his condition. He was taken to hospital from there, the Guardian learned.

The four officers were reportedly a part of a group of seven whose transfer was ordered following claims of corruption at the station.

It has been claimed that some officers at the station smuggle contraband, such as alcohol and drugs, into the station for inmates and even allow them conjugal visits for a fee. The allegations are under investigation.

Pinder said the reassignment of these officers has been delayed because their replacements have not arrived yet. Three officers have already been transferred.

An internal inquiry was already underway into the actions of officers who may have helped drug suspect Omar Smith escape from the station on July 21 when the corruption claims were made. Smith, a Jamaican, is still at large.

An accused drug dealer, who is fighting extradition to Miami, Florida, has told this newspaper that the Hennessy was free-flowing at Central Police Station as officers catered to his desires when he came to court on remand or for hearing dates. The man also alleged that he and his co-accused paid officers $100 to have sex with their wives and girlfriends at the station or in bathrooms in the Supreme Court building. The man claimed that he once had sex with two women in the court's bathroom.

He claimed that an officer extorted $500 from him when he was freed on $100,000 bail on the extradition matter. He said that the man threatened to hold onto his release order if the money was not paid.

By ARTESIA DAVIS