A Corentyne Berbice man, who was committed to stand trial for murder in the High Court on December 13, 2010, was yesterday found hanging in his cell at the New Amsterdam Prison, the authorities said.
A press release issues by the Prisons Directorate said that inmate Deodat Sookhoo, 41, “was found hanging in his cell in an apparent suicide in the Main Prison Block at the New Amsterdam Prison at approximately 15:45 hrs.” According to the prison administration, preliminary investigations have revealed that the prisoner, who is usually located in the Remanded Dining Hall during the day, had been locked alone in his cell on the number three landing of the main prison block at approximately 15:15 hrs.
When the rank responsible for lockdown duties returned to the cell with Sookhoo’s two cell mates, the release said, his lifeless body was found hanging from a bed sheet which had been tied to the ventilation above his cell door.
The police were immediately informed and an investigation commenced.
The release stated that Sookhoo was admitted to prison in on November 1, 2007, charged with murder. On December 13, 2010, he was committed to stand trial in the High Court.
The release stated that Sookhoo hailed from Bloomfield Village Corentyne.
It added that the prison administration extends sympathy to his family, and awaits the conclusion of the police investigations.
