Opposition wants answers regarding killing of prisoners

– tables several questions in Parliament to Robeson Benn

Two days after an unrest in the Lusignan Penitentiary left at least two prisoners dead, Opposition Member of Parliament, Geeta Chandan- Edmond pressed the Government for answers during Monday’s Sitting of the National Assembly.

In tabling a number of oral questions without notice, Chandan-Edmond – an Attorney-at-Law – asked the Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn to disclose the causes, circumstances and conditions that led to the disturbance on Saturday, September 19, 2020, that resulted in the deaths of prisoners at the Lusignan Prisons.

An initiate statement issued by the Prison Administration indicated that two prisoners – 51-year-old Earl Graham and 21-year-old Winston Herbert, were killed during the unrest in the prison, however, the main parliamentary Opposition –  the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) wants more answers.

The Opposition Member Parliament asked the Home Affairs Minister to disclose the number of prisoners killed, injured and or hospitalized, the nature and extent of their injuries and cause of death(s). Further, she wants the National Assembly and the nation by extension, to be informed of the administrative failures that provided the opportunity for such an unrest to occur, and the plans, if any, being put in place to prevent a reoccurrence.
“What role, if any, was played by any government official or officials to trigger this development?” the APNU+AFC Parliamentarian further asked.
According to initial reports, a number of prisoners had expressed concerns about their safety and wellbeing after it was disclosed that at least two prisoners were diagnosed with the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). “Several prisoners were tested positive for COVID -19, what measures are in place for the World Health Organization/PAHO guidelines, requirements and procedures for social distancing etc. to be observed at the said Prisons,” Chandan- Edmond further asked.

According to the Guyana Prison Service, prisoners, while refusing to take their breakfast and lunch on Saturday, demanded to speak with the Home Affairs Minister.

“Resulting from the demand and the ongoing situation, the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Robeson Benn and the Honourable Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony visited the Holding Bays at Lusignan about 13:15 hrs. The ministers were loudly cheered and welcomed on entering the facility. They commenced a discussion with nominated representatives of the prisoners from Holding Bay 2. During this engagement all the prisoners appeared calm and those being engaged appeared receptive,” the prison service said.

Concerns surrounding extensive timelines between court hearings and remand were among issues raised, however, things turned sour at the prison when the Ministers attempted to engage the inmates of Holding Bay 1. It was reported that some prisoners from Bays 2, 3 and 4 became aggressive and began throwing missiles, resulting in the meeting coming to a halt. The Ministers were forced to leave.

“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. 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 same. In response to 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 further explained.

Aside from Graham and Herbert, who were killed during the ordeal, five other prisoners were injured. Their conditions have been listed as stable.