Security maximized at N/A prison

Jul 15, 2017 News

…as escapee reportedly contacts female inmate

In light of the recent catastrophic events leading to the burning of the Camp Street Prison and the escape of eight high profile prisoners, security around the country has been beefed up. There are also reports of alleged sightings

Joint Services at the New Amsterdam Prison.

and attempts by the escapees to contact persons with whom they associated.
It was recently revealed that Mark Royden Williams, called Smallie, allegedly made contact with his long time girlfriend, Kelly Ann Martin, who is on remand at the female penitentiary, New Amsterdam Prison.
According to Ian Amsterdam, the Divisional Commander, Martin was scheduled to appear in court on East Coast Demerara on Thursday. He stated, “It was rumored that Royden Williams told her through some conversation that he was going get her out.
“She did not make the court appearance and was further remanded right here in New Amsterdam.”
Amsterdam explained that the woman was remanded on the grenade and ammunition charges. She had her bail reduced on the narcotics case.
He added that given the information received that Williams maybe looking to have his partner out of prison they will be taking extra steps. “You’ve gotta take it with a pinch of salt. They are either taken the day before court or the day when there is court so we’ll have to pay particular attention to her and treat her as a high profile prisoner and deal with her using our standard operational procedures.”
According to a source, Williams made contact with Martin via cellphone to the Prison phone at the New Amsterdam Prison and promised to “get her out”. Martin was on Thursday further remanded at the New Amsterdam Prison and granted $100,000 bail for the narcotic charge. She also made an appearance at the Albion Magistrate Court and was further remanded on the grenade charge.
She will make her next court appearance some time in August at the Sparendam Magistrate’s Court. Martin was arrested after she was caught trying to smuggle a smoke grenade to Williams while he was incarcerated for the Bartica and Lusignan Massacres.
Meanwhile, the Commander disclosed that so far the situation is calm within the division as security has been beefed up at every station. Patrols are also being carried out on a daily basis with a view to preventing the escapees from infiltrating the division. He noted that they have received information of sightings.
“Those have been checked out and so far we have come up empty-handed but we are on guard and prepared.”
He also confirmed that two sets of prisoners were transferred from the Lusignan Prison to the New Amsterdam Prison. During further remand conducted on Thursday, Magistrate Renita Singh reduced a number of remand prisoners’ bail whilst some serving time for petty offences were sent on their own recognizance since they could not afford bail.
“It should be over 81 prisoners that were transferred from the Lusignan prison whilst 25 persons had their bail reduced,” he said.
On Sunday, the Camp Street Prison was set alight by prisoners of the facility. Some inmates were reportedly picked up on surveillance cameras exiting the facility and making their way towards Bent Street, Georgetown. Six fires were set at strategic points within the prison burning the buildings completely to the ground.
Among the escapees are Mark Royden Williams called Smallie, Uree Varswyck, Staifree Alexander, Cobena Stephens, Cornelius Thomas and Desmond James.