Inmates of the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) yesterday complained of abuse by the management of the juvenile correctional facility, while over a dozen of them have been handed over to police for their roles in a breakout and the torching of two buildings in the compound.
A committee will be established to investigate the allegations by the juveniles as well as the operations of the Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast facility, where police are now providing support to the security service on site. The temporary measure will remain in place for an indefinite period.
A team of officials from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) led by Minister Dr Frank Anthony met with the management of the correctional facility yesterday and subsequently interacted with the juveniles housed at the facility, who aired their concerns about their treatment. Anthony told the media that he met with the staff and discussed several issues pertaining to the management of the facility as well as the breakout and arson on a female dorm and a garment construction building, on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
Anthony said that the ministry will establish a committee to investigate Wednesday night’s rampage as well as events leading up to the fire the following night. He said that based on the findings of the committee, the highlighted issues will be addressed.
He also commended the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) for its quick response to the fire on Thursday evening, noting that the firemen arrived at the scene promptly and managed to contain the blaze to the female dorm.
This newspaper understands that the 19 females who were housed in the dormitory that was destroyed by the fire on Thursday night have been relocated to various buildings within the compound.
Up to yesterday afternoon, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said that two inmates that escaped were still to be located.
During the visit by the MCYS team, the students voiced complaints and pointed out several instances of abuse meted out to them by the management of the facility. Reports are that the students complained of being beaten frequently by the staff while others reported that they would receive harsh punishments for committing offences at the institution.
Reports are that 14 inmates who were seen as playing active role in the events of Wednesday and Thursday night were handed over to the police. Several female inmates were also being investigated in connection with the incidents. According to a police source, the errant juveniles are expected to be placed before the courts when the investigations are completed.
More than 100 inmates are housed at the NOC, and staff reported that more than 80% of the population is male.
On Wednesday night, the male students created havoc at the facility after they were upbraided by a supervisor about a broken door at one of the buildings. Reports are that the supervisor threatened to beat those students whom he thought responsible for the incident.
Subsequently, the male students armed themselves with cutlasses and sticks and proceeded to break the locks at the male dormitory. Thereafter, confusion reigned as the security guards on duty were forced to scamper to safety while two of their seniors received a sound beating from the teenaged men.
The police related that several of the students were recaptured the following day but the situation worsened on Thursday night after the males stormed the sports centre and armed themselves with cutlasses and other sharp instruments.
The female dormitory was set alight soon after the building as well as the tailor shop were gutted as police ranks were called to the scene in large numbers to control the situation.
The MCYS has promised to clear the ruins within the coming weeks and Anthony noted that a new dormitory will be built on the site.
On Thursday, the Ministry said that an early inquiry into the breakout must result in urgent implementation of recommendations to ensure no recurrence of such escapes.
