Relatives of prison inmate, Earl Graham, who was shot and killed during an alleged breakout attempt on September 19 at the Lusignan Prison are asking that an investigation be conducted into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Janice Williams, a sister of the deceased, during an interview with Stabroek News stated that her family has not received any information as to what is being done to investigate the way in which her brother’s life was taken.
The woman said they were told that it was a prison officer who had shot and killed Graham while he was inside the perimeter of the prison.
Williams, who wanted to know whether or not the prison officer was being investigated, explained that no one has reached out to the family or offered an apology since Graham’s burial.
Previously, the woman said officials had reached out to the family and given an explanation about the unrest that took place at the Lusignan Prison on the said date. They also had made arrangements to cover the funeral costs, “but it does not compare to his life,” she said.
The woman is concerned about the fact that live rounds were used within the compound, and is calling on the relevant authorities to be more forthcoming and provide the family of the deceased with the answers and satisfaction they need.
When this newspaper contacted Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, he stated that the police were currently collecting statements and are conducting an investigation to determine the way forward.
Samuels explained that the use of force in prison is guided by outlined principles and he is positive that any investigation would reveal that the first act of the officer on the day in question, was not to go and shoot live rounds.
He further pointed out that if the threat levels continue to rise to a state which places the prison at risk to be overrun, then by law prison officers are mandated to increase their use of force.
He added that it was the principle used all over the world, where one starts with the less lethal approach and moves up as the need arises.
Unfortunately, however, in that process, persons got injured and two inmates died, the director said.
Samuels also shared that following the death of Graham, his deputy had reached out to Graham’s family, as it is normal protocol. He also said they financed the funeral.
The police had said that Graham, 52, and Herbert, 21, were shot and killed while five others prisoners were injured by guards stationed in the prison’s tower when a group of inmates rushed towards the main gate in an apparent bid to escape.
The shooting capped off hours of protests by inmates over a number of issues, including overcrowding at the facility, and the risk of exposure to COVID-19, which were raised earlier in the day when the Home Affairs and Health ministers visited.
Overcrowding at the facility has been a longstanding concern.
Graham was serving a three-month sentence for malicious wounding, assault and resisting arrest, while Herbert was in custody for rape.
Graham was due to be released two weeks after the incident.
