Dear Editor,
In the midst of the darkness of the recent prison riots, a bright light was shown through. I would like to publicly thank Superintendent Kelvin Pilgrim for his magnanimous act of being simply human, in an environment that exhibits only one-upmanship and arrogant grandstanding. I watched the press conference that was attended by Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister Joseph Harmon, in relation to the recent prison upheaval. I could not help but notice how problematic it was for Mr Pilgrim to frame his timely and necessary apology. It was as if he had to first apologize for apologizing.
In an age where being a public figure means that you must never say sorry for your behaviour, no matter how egregious and despicable, it was refreshing to hear the heartfelt sentiments of the officer in charge of the Camp Street Prison. In today’s world no one seems willing to take the rap for anything that runs amok under their purview. Not so with Officer Pilgrim. Like a true leader, he stepped up to the plate, bared his chest, and did the honourable thing. In halting tones he said, “I would first want to say on my behalf, that I am sorry. …that is not a word that you hear very often. I don’t have to wait on an inquiry or an investigation to personally say sorry, simply because of the fact that I am responsible for a prison location… when you decide to take up that position of an Officer in Charge, you have to be responsible for everyone under your charge.”
Imagine what would happen if those responsible for a country, or a political party, or a ministry, or a police force, would be as respectful of the feelings of others? Just imagine? An apology disarms the opponent. It levels the field. It makes you human. Yet Officer Pilgrim is correct, “this is not a word you hear very often.” However, when I heard it from him, it jumped out at me. It was like sweet music to my ears.
I don’t know Superintendent Pilgrim very well. I met him in 2009 when I returned from the USA and began visiting the prison as a volunteer. He was always respectful of the inmates and those of us who came to minister at Camp Street prison. He was later promoted and sent to head the Berbice prison. I was invited there to conduct a couple of church services and we spoke about our desires and hopes for the inmates. He spoke more like a re-entry officer than a prison officer. I observed how kind and respectful he was towards the inmates. I also noticed how reciprocal the attitudes were. The inmates tripped over themselves to carry out his instructions and make him happy.
So while I was taken aback by the public apology from such a senior public figure, I was not surprised that it came from Officer Pilgrim. I have been visiting families of the deceased and I have been following their sad stories. And while Minister Ramjattan satisfactorily acquiesced to the demands of the rioting inmates, it was Officer Pilgrim who appeased and alleviated the fears of their loved ones. He was genuine, sincere and humble. He is indeed a model public figure and an example to me. I honestly believe that if he continues with that demeanour, his best days are yet ahead of him.
On behalf of the families who suffered so tragically and on behalf of a nation rocked by the worst prison riots in our young history, I accept Superintendent Kelvin Pilgrim’s apology, and I know that if it is left up to him, this would never happen again.
Yours faithfully,
Pastor Wendell Jeffrey
Independent Candidate
Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust