Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn yesterday stated that while the loss of lives during last Saturday’s Lusignan Prison riot was regrettable and sad, the actions taken were necessary to prevent a jailbreak.
Two inmates were fatally shot and five others were injured after prison guards opened fire during what authorities say was a rush towards the main gate.
Benn was faced with questions about the unrest from APNU+AFC parliamentarian Geeta Chandan-Edmond in the National Assembly yesterday.
He stated that although the loss of life in any event is regrettable and sad, he understands that the final perimeter of the prison and the prison wardens were being attacked and so the wardens took the necessary measures to prevent a jailbreak.
He went on to add that the Assembly is aware of the congestion at the Lusignan Prison as he spoke on the matter last Thursday. He noted that fires at both the Lusignan and Camp Street prisons contributed to the congestion in the prison.
Responding to questions regarding the measures that have been put in place at the prison to address the situation, Benn said prior to the unrest the ministry was working to improve the conditions of the prison to ensure the separation of the prisoners. However, this was stalled on Saturday when the riot erupted within the walls of the prison.
He explained that they were planning to erect tents at the eastern side of the prison to accommodate some prisoners, while noting that those works resumed on Monday.
In addition, he said, inmates are being provided with masks and washing materials. “Those articles and measures in place at Lusignan are also in place at other prisons,” he added.
Benn said that as far as he was aware 140 prisoners were infected with COVID-19 and 80 have since been moved to Madewini for monitoring. “We have moved 80 of them to Madewini location with the appropriate security from the police, the prison and the army,” he said before adding that depending on the situation, some of the infected prisoners might be brought back to the isolation facilities within the Lusignan Prison today.
The first two COVID-19 cases in the Lusignan prison were confirmed more than a week ago.
Meanwhile, during a COVID-19 update yesterday, Anthony since the two prisoners tested positive last week additional doctors and staff were sent to the Lusignan Prison. He confirmed that about 140 persons tested positive as of yesterday and that some of them are being isolated at facilities within the prison while others are being isolated at a secure location where they are receiving medical assistance if needed.
“We have doctors working 24 hours at that facility along with other medical personnel and we will be monitoring them so if anybody has signs or symptoms or if they start developing a more severe form of COVID then we will take the additional measures of hospitalizing those persons. As of now, they are being kept in isolation and the doctors are doing daily checks and observations,” he said,
Anthony also stated that they have been working with the Home Affairs Ministry to implement measures in the other prisons because it is no secret that all the other prisons are congested. “If somebody there and they are positive they can easily spread it to other prisoners,” he said.
Both Benn and Anthony had met with the inmates at the Lusignan Prison last Saturday before the unrest intensified.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Guyana Prison Service, police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor said during a discussion by the ministers with inmates of Holding Bay 1, some prisoners from Holding Bays 2, 3 and 4 became aggressive and began throwing missiles, which led to the ministers ending the visit and leaving.
“After the Ministers exited the main gate, the situation rapidly degenerated and became riotous with some prisoners scaling the inner fence of the Holding Bay, thus entering the restricted area, and launching attacks on the prison officers within the compound who had to flee to safety,” the statement said.
It added that after the officers left the main compound, the situation rapidly deteriorated into “mass disorder,” with inmates rushing the main gate in a bid to break it. “In response to [the] situation, and in a bid to contain same, ranks posted within the towers discharged several shots in the general direction of the gate which resulted in the injury of seven inmates and restoration of relative calm to the situation,” it said.
The dead prisoners have been identified as Earl Graham, 51, who was serving a three-month sentence for malicious wounding, assault and resisting arrest, and Winston Herbert, 21, who police say was in custody for rape.
