Senior Reporter
anna-lisa.paul@guardian.co.tt
The T&T Prison Service has launched an investigation into a fracas that left six inmates and five prison officers hospitalised for several hours yesterday, following an altercation at the Port-of-Spain Prison on Frederick Street.
The inmates and officers were treated at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) for what prison officials initially declared were “minor injuries”.
Officials said the confrontation was brought under control within ten minutes of it erupting at 10.15 am.
Despite the fracas, officials assured the prison was not locked down at any time and the facility remained secure.
The incident occurred at Cell Block D, Cell 5, when an officer was escorting a high-risk inmate back to his cell after he received medical attention at the infirmary.
It was alleged the prisoner refused to follow instructions and engaged the officer in a volatile manner, leading to an uproar that escalated.
Several other inmates rushed to the prisoner’s defence as the officer attempted to restrain him. The officer’s colleagues then responded to assist their colleague.
Several recordings were posted to social media within an hour of the fracas, although very little could be seen.
When the situation was brought under control, those injured were treated at the infirmary while the others were escorted by prison and police officers to the PoSGH for treatment.
Attorney Keron Ramkhalwhan, who is representing some of the prisoners, claimed his clients were badly beaten by the officers.
Those injured were identified as Ayokie Charles, Adil Manzano, Ray Paul Julien, Shurlon Brown, Kashon Boyce, and Kerry Valentino. Ramkhalwhan is representing Charles, Julien and Valentino.
“From what I was told by prisoners and the security staff at the hospital, they were beaten around their bodies. They had injuries to their heads, hands and feet. The security officers at the hospital indicated that they arrived bloody and their heads looked ‘buss up’,” Ramkhalwhan said.
The attorney said he was upset after being denied an audience with his clients at the hospital on the premise they remained in the State’s custody.
He said he sent a letter to Prisons Commissioner Deopersad Ramoutar seeking clarification on their whereabouts and an update on their medical status.
In the letter, Ramkhalwhan threatened to file a Writ of Habeas Corpus if he was not allowed to see the prisoners by 4 pm yesterday.
Ramoutar issued a release late yesterday, saying an investigation had been launched into the matter, which was also engaging the attention of the TTPS.
“It was reported that the inmate refused to obey lawful instructions to return to his cell. He became violent and uncontrollable. The officer attempted to have the inmate manage his emotions and return to the cell. However, the officer was assaulted. The officer had no choice but to defend himself, and other inmates in the vicinity chose this incident to rally around, causing a fracas,” the release stated.
Ramoutar said the use of a level of force became necessary after attempts to bring the situation under control.
He added, “The fracas resulted with both officers and inmates being injured. Medical attention was rendered at the prison infirmary to some of the individuals involved, and others were conveyed to receive medical attention externally. No life-threatening injuries have been recorded.”
Ramoutar added, “Situations like these are all in a day’s work for the prison officers who are at times undervalued and unappreciated.”
President of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) Gerard Gordon said yesterday’s incident was concerning. He said they had raised concerns on numerous occasions about the inadequate and poor infrastructure of the Frederick Street Prison.
In a voice note last evening, Gordon said the issue of overcrowding remained one of the main concerns and the time had come for them to seriously consider shutting down the facility.