Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Ret’d Judge to head tribunal probing prison deaths
-First report due by March 15
By Jarryl Bryan
Following the deaths of 17 inmates from the Camp Street Prison, an inquiry has been commissioned. That
Former Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine
inquiry will be chaired by retired Justice James Patterson, and will have former Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine and human rights activist Merle Mendonca as members.
This was revealed by Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, during a press conference yesterday at his Ministry. He also provided assurances that the first report from the inquiry will be delivered to him by March 15.
Ramjattan also provided the scope and Terms of Reference for the inquiry. He noted that the inquiry will “investigate, examine and report on” the causes, circumstances and the conditions that led to the rioting and all subsequent disturbances at the prison.
It will inquire into the nature of the prisoners’ injuries and will also seek to determine whether the conduct of the Prison Officers on March 3, last, and afterwards was in line with the Standard Operating Procedures normally followed by the officers.
The Commission of Inquiry (COI) is expected to determine whether the prisoners died as a result of the prison officers’ negligence, abandoning their duty, disregarding instructions or inaction on the night of March 2 and the morning of March 3.
It is also understood that the COI is mandated to consider the views of stakeholders such as prison staff and their unions and members of the Judiciary (the backlog and sloth of cases is a primary concern of prisoners).
Staff from the Ministry of Public Health and Social Protection will also make submissions, as well as the Camp Street prisoners themselves and any other stakeholders deemed appropriate.
Recommendations
Former Justice James Patterson
Ramjattan expressed expectations that the COI will examine and make recommendations to improve the physical infrastructure of the prison.
He also noted that the existing security arrangements pertaining to how prisoners are managed will be looked at. Recommendations will also be made relating to the appropriate treatment of prisoners in compliance with the law.
Finally, the COI will be looking at making recommendations to prevent any other disturbances.
“The Commission will commence work on Monday,” Ramjattan disclosed. “And the Chairman shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the Commission completes its work and submits its report within the aforesaid time.”
“This Commission shall establish and regulate its own procedures for the conduct of the inquiry,” he said. “And shall be governed by the Constitution of Guyana, the Commission of Inquiry Act Chapter 19:03, the High Court Act, Chapter 3:01 and any other laws.”
The COI comes in the wake of unrest at the Georgetown Prisons over the past few days, which claimed the lives of 17 prisoners, and left six prisoners and five prison officers injured. The Ministry officially released the list of the dead yesterday.
Those confirmed dead are Rayaad Paddy (charged with armed robbery), Andrew Philander (murder), Jermaine Otto (murder), Kirk Clarke (murder) Aaron Eastman (unlawful possession of ammunition), Anthony Premo (armed robbery).
Also killed are Astraf Ally (murder), Amos Hillary (murder), Rohan Teekeram (murder), Richard Hubbard (rape/murder), Randolph Marques (murder), Clifton Joseph (murder), Shaka McKenzie (robbery with violence).
Rounding off the list were Latchman Pertab (murder), Sherwin Trotman (murder), Delroy Williams (murder) and Chitram Dharandat.
Those prisoners who were injured and hospitalised as of Thursday were Marcellus Verbeke, Ignatius France and Andel Forde. Those treated and discharged were Anthony Joseph, Dwayne Lewis and Errol Williams.
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