The findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Camp Street disturbances that left 17 inmates dead are expected to be submitted by the end of this month.
The Commission yesterday issued a statement in which it was confirmed that it would be concluding its proceedings this upcoming Monday, when closing arguments will be heard. It said it has until May 31st to submit its findings.
Just last week, President David Granger, who set up the inquiry, had stated that the CoI, initially established to run for three weeks, had been going on for too long. The commission had been granted a two-month extension to meet the Terms of Reference (ToR) outlined for it after the initial three weeks had expired.
The ToR state that the inquiry will investigate, examine, and report on the causes, circumstances and conditions that led to the fatal disturbances and any other subsequent disturbances, as well as inquire into the nature of all injuries sustained by the prisoners.
Furthermore, it is tasked with determining whether the conduct of the staff of the Guyana Prison Service on that day and subsequent to the tragedy was in conformity with the Standard Operating Procedures of the entity, or if the conduct of those officers led to the prisoners’ deaths.
After determining these things, the commission is required to make comprehensive recommendations based on its findings so that the overall conditions of the prisons may be improved.
