A murder accused was stabbed to death during an altercation over ‘bed space’ at the Georgetown Prison yesterday afternoon.
Dead is Mahase Rajpaul called ‘Crusher’, 54. He sustained a single stab wound to his chest.
The incident occurred around 14.50hrs in Holding Bay One at the Georgetown Prison ‘B’ location. Rajpaul was taken to the prison infirmary and later referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The suspect who has been identified as remanded prisoner, Rajkumar Singh was interviewed by the police and has since been transferred to Georgetown Prison ‘A’ where he is being isolated.
An improvised weapon which was used to inflict the fatal wound was recovered and handed over to the police.
The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) in a statement last night said investigations revealed that Rajpaul and Singh had an argument during which Singh accused Rajpaul of walking on his “bed space.”
“A fight ensued between the duo which resulted in the victim sustaining one stab wound to the left side of his chest,” the statement said.
An alarm was raised and the officers on duty responded.
Rajpaul was remanded to prison for the murder of his drinking buddy, Bhagwan Ramadhar, called “Alan” of Lot 50 Industry Front during a fight in October 2017.
The police had said that the two were drinking when an argument started and Rajpaul allegedly dealt Ramadhar several blows to his head with a piece of wood.
In the statement yesterday, Director of Prisons (ag) Nicklon Elliot said while the incident is unfortunate, the GPS continues to acknowledge the importance of anger management classes in the reduction of prisoner-to-prisoner violence.
Elliot, the statement said has noted that the welfare officer and senior management at the Georgetown Prison B (holding bay) will continue to have weekly sessions with inmates, urging them to address their issues in accordance with prison rules and highlighting the consequences of violence in prison.
“Mr. Elliot said the prison directorate will continue to increase random searches to retrieve any improvised weapons which may be concealed,” the statement added.
Further, it noted that Elliot is of the view that the completion of the construction of the Lusignan Prison will address overcrowding concerns and provide a safer environment for inmates.
Three modern holding facilities are currently being constructed at the Lusignan Prison under a $1.2 billion project. The structures are expected to be completed by August this year. Upon completion they will house 1,000 inmates.
The Officer-in-Charge of Georgetown Prison ‘B’ and the welfare officer (holding bay) have since visited the sister of Rajpaul to inform her of the incident.
