KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says it has increased its threat level alert for staff members following another gun attack on a department vehicle on Saturday morning.

This is the second such attack on a DCS vehicle that was transporting staff members in the past month.

In the latest incident, reports from the Staff Officer on duty are that the vehicle that was being driven by a correctional officer and accompanied by an escort had just transported staff members home in St Catherine and was returning to the Horizon Adult Remand Centre.

Upon reaching the vicinity of the Spanish Town Road Examination Depot at approximately 2:00 am, gunmen opened fire at the vehicle.

In a release on Saturday, the DCS said its officers managed to return fire and safely made their way to the remand centre.

The incident has since been reported to the Hunts Bay Police Station.

Late last month staff from the Metcalfe Street Secure Juvenile Remand Centre were attacked by gunmen on Maxfield Avenue. No injuries were reported from that attack either.

READ: DSC staff-bus attacked by gunmen on Maxfield Avenue

The DCS said it remains committed to the performance of its duties and operations within the correctional centres.