A preliminary investigation has found that the seizure of contraband items, including marijuana, from an inmate and the assault of another by prison officers triggered Sunday’s unrest at the Lusignan Prison, where a wooden building was destroyed by fire.
This disclosure was made by Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels, who yesterday morning provided a detailed account of what transpired on Sunday and also disclosed that four prison officers have been reassigned from the facility to facilitate the ongoing probe.
During a press conference held in the Ministry of Public Security’s boardroom, Samuels said around 11.55 am on Sunday, officer-in-charge of the Lusignan Prison Senior Superintendent of Prisons Alexander Hopkinson informed him that a quantity of contraband items, comprising two parcels of marijuana, a bottle containing rum and a cellphone, were discovered.
“Yesterday (Sunday) it was clearly overheard that the prisoner said that there was a drought in the prison as it relates to the availability of contraband so I think that situation would have further propelled the desire for them to get their stuff… It was not a search that was conducted. It was an alert officer who observed a prisoner with a parcel and searched the prisoner and the discovery was made,” Samuels said.
As a result, he said, the prisoner was escorted to Hopkinson’s office, where he was questioned.
At the same time, Samuels said there was a confrontation between two other prisoners and one of the prisoners was subsequently assaulted by an officer.
“Following that the prisoner was escorted into the prison yard, where I am advised based on the investigation conducted so far, our findings… established that the prisoner was again assaulted…. It was reported that the inmate was kicked by one officer. And when he was escorted to the prison yard, he was again assaulted by four officers. This I am being told was as a result of his behaviour. At the time, it was very hostile and remarks he also made as it relates to killing officers,” Samuels related.
According to Samuels, the four officers have been removed from the facility to facilitate the probe. “They are not at the facility. They have not yet been interdicted from duty. As I said, the investigation is still ongoing. They have been removed from the environment because of the potential that their presence can continue to spark,” he said.
In keeping with the Standard Operating Procedures, Samuels said the information was communicated to the officer-in-charge and the “necessary” response was launched.
“The officer-in-charge and his team in their efforts to regain control met with a very hostile group of prisoners, a number of whom were breaking the building. The officer-in-charge was asked to return the items seized and persons will seek to calm down. The items were not returned and in light of the two circumstances at the time, it resulted in fire being set to the building,” Samuels further noted.
Despite the quick responses from the Guyana Fire Service and Joint Services, the fire quickly spread and destroyed all of the areas which accommodated prisoners.
The building which was destroyed housed the administrative office, kitchen and facilities for approximately 185 to 190 prisoners. The structure was made of mostly wood and was in existence for a number of years. “We were able to save a part of the admin building,” Samuels said.
According to Samuels, a number of inmates attempted to escape during the fire. However, due to the prompt response of the Task Force and the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) standby unit which is usually at the facility, all 284 prisoners were contained.
A total of 11 prisoners were injured. They were all treated and sent back to the facility.
Samuels said two of the prisoners were referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH). Among them was the inmate who was assaulted.
The others were treated by the doctor at the prison.
Samuels also said that the names of eight inmates, who are deemed the masterminds of the unrest, have been passed on to the police.
“There were some names that we received as it relates to persons who are deemed to be masterminds. Eight prisoners have been named. We are aware of who those prisoners are and the police have been furnished with that information,” Samuels said.
The Director of Prisons stated that the matters are still being investigated and as a result “what I am saying to you is not definitive”.
Prisoners displaced
A total of 284 prisoners were displaced as a result of Sunday’s unrest.
Samuels told the media yesterday that 27 of the inmates have since been transferred to the Camp Street Prison, while 51 were sent to Timehri Prison and another 50 to the Mazaruni Prison.
The remaining 156 are being accommodated in the Holding Bay Four at Lusignan.
Following the fire at Camp Street Prison in 2017, the holding facility was set up at Lusignan. It was initially separated into three sections – Holding bay 1, 2 and 3.
Recently, a fourth section was set up for searches, where the 156 inmates are being housed.
Prior to the fire, Samuels said that the Holding Bay had 425 prisoners. The amount is now 581.
“Our initial response was to segregate those persons we knew could not have go into the Holding Bay and the others were placed into the Holding Bay…As far as possible, we took the necessary steps yesterday to minimise placing prisoners into the Holding Bay, who we are aware have problems or conflicts with prisoners who are living in the Holding Bay,” Samuels said.
This was the third major fire at a prison facility in just over four years.
On March 3rd 2016, prisoners set fire to the capital offences section of the Camp Street Prison and 17 prisoners died. On July 9th, 2017 the entire Camp Street facility was burnt to the ground by prisoners.
Heightened state of security
After the fire erupted on Sunday, various arms of the Joint Services were deployed to the location.
“Following the checking off of the prison last evening (Sun-day night), the Guyana Defence Force [withdrew] from the location because our assessment indicated there was no longer need for them on the ground at that point,” Samuels said.
Samuels explained that since the preparation for the March 2nd elections, there has been a heightened state of security at the prisons. To date, he said, the posture remains the same. “…That posture has not changed. And I will say to you that it is as a result of that we were able to maintain control of what could have been a very dangerous environment yesterday (Sunday),” Samuels said.
He stated that officers from the Lusignan Prison have also been deployed to aid in security at the Holding Bay as well as an increased presence of police on the ground.
Since July 2017, he added, police have been deployed at Lusignan. The number was increased on Sunday.
Samuels highlighted that he is aware of the need for more prison staff at all the facilities.
“We have been in the process of recruiting. Our aim to fill our established strength has not yet been fulfilled and this is because of the fact that every time we facilitate recruitment, we also have persons who are being dismissed for their behaviour. The issue of collusion…this is something I have always been speaking on and, unfortunately, it has not changed,” he stated.
