Heavily armed ranks were up to 3 pm yesterday still keeping watch over the Georgetown Prisons after inmates again lit a fire and began shouting as they continued to protest the deplorable conditions they were being kept in.
Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell told reporters yesterday that it appeared as though things were back to normal and that the lawmen had things under control.
“This morning they just tried something again… they lit another small fire,” he said adding that it was too early to determine whether anyone will be charged in relation to the incident.
The disturbances started on Sunday evening with prisoners in the Capital Offences building setting fire to their bedding and pieces of paper in protest at conditions.
The fire service was called in and managed to quickly quell the three small fires set around 7.30 pm, as police stood at the ready. Inmates could be heard shouting that they were being denied basic human rights such as a proper meal and even in circumstances where family members brought food, they were not given their meals. They shouted from the building that they were routinely brutalised by prison officials while some could be heard reflecting that they had been on remand for seven, eight and up to 10 years awaiting trial.
Inmates shouted that they were fed up and were being treated like animals. Some could even be heard accusing prison officials of brandishing and discharging weapons routinely in the prison with the intent to kill inmates. Some prisoners shouted that one officer was threatening that he had killed before and could kill again.
Brumell in attempting to explain what occurred said, “I think the authorities tried to retrieve [the situation] but they had some resistance and as a result the Joint Services had to be called in. During the course of the day they lit some fires. But we are looking at the situation. We have to be cautious on how we are approaching it,”
Despite multiple efforts Stabroek News was unable to make contact with Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and Deputy Director of Prisons Carl Graham for comments. Graham is in charge of the facility as the Acting Director Welton Trotz is on vacation leave.
Rohee who fell ill earlier this month and had been hospitalized, was reportedly scheduled to travel to the US for further medical tests.
However, there has been no official word on this nor has any minister been identified as acting in his position.
When Stabroek News visited the area, there were armed ranks standing near the Camp Street entrance. They were clad in protective wear – helmets and bullet proof vests. There were also police officers in civilian clothing in the area.
Residents recalled that a fire engine arrived at the facility sometime during the morning hours. One woman said that she could not recall the time but remembered that it left about 15 minutes later. She said that since then things have been quiet except for the occasional shouts from the inmates. Many persons in the area expressed discomfort at the situation noting that it becomes a serious matter when prisoners can access matches to light fires.
One resident noted that one has to wonder what else “prisoners could get their hands on”.
Over the years, prisoners have been found in the possession of cellphones, knifes and other sharp implements.
