An investigation has been launched into the alleged beating of a murder accused prisoner by wardens at the Georgetown Prisons and the Home Affairs Ministry yesterday said it views the matter very seriously.
Inmate Stravo Evans, who is awaiting trial for the January 2010 murder of Pascal Johnson, was allegedly beaten by three officers on Wednesday.
His sister, Roena Evans, said she was contacted and informed of the beating but her subsequent attempts to visit him were denied, prompting her to get his lawyer to intervene. It was only after this was done that the man was taken to the hospital for medical attention. The woman, who said Evans has been beaten before, said that she saw as he was being escorted to the vehicle to transport him to the hospital and one of his legs also appeared to be broken.
Contacted yesterday, Director of Prisons Dale Erskine told Stabroek News that the matter is being investigated and appropriate action would be taken against the officers found guilty of wrongdoing. The implicated officers, he said, are still on the job.
Meanwhile, later yesterday the Home Affairs Ministry said that it had received a report about the beating of the inmate, allegedly by prison officers.
“The Ministry views this matter very seriously, since the allegation runs counter to the policies and procedures adopted for the institution for the treatment of prisoners,” it said in a statement.
It was noted that as part of the reform process of the Prison Service, and even as efforts are made to implement the Service’s Strategic Plan, the Ministry is on record in regard to how prisoners must be treated, while also recognising that their inherent dignity and value as human beings must be upheld. The Prisons Directorate and Officers are well aware of this, the release said.
Consequently, the release added the ministry will move to investigate the allegation, so that the concerns of the ministry and the relatives of the inmate could be addressed and corrective action taken, where necessary.
