Gov’t promises to remedy issues facing prisoners
Inmates following the meeting with government ministers. [Delano Williams Photo]
Inmates following the meeting with government ministers. [Delano Williams Photo]

 

  • Harmon, Ramjattan meet inmates

 

By Ariana Gordon

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan has committed to meeting some of the basic needs of prisoners while noting that the complaints made by the prisoners may very well have credibility.

“They had quite a lot of grievances, a lot of grievances with the conditions of the prisons, some of the officers of the prison, lengthy detention periods; they are not having trials, certain magistrates and judges. Some of them have a different story as to what caused the entire incident to be so heightened to the extent that it caused deaths and so on,” Ramjattan told reporters.

Ramjattan said that meeting the prisoners to listen to their grievances does not demonstrate that the government is weak. He and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon met with the prisoners on Friday morning.

“Absolutely now, it is meeting them to meet their demands. It is a useful thing talking to them, hearing their versions too at our level. At sometimes indeed they could be speaking to the prison authorities and the prison authorities listening to them but not acting. We need at our level to meet and talk to them. It is very useful information we got this morning. They seem all to be very credible in what they are saying. Now that we are in a better position we are going to act on these things.”

Additionally, the Minister said some of the issues raised by the prisoners can be addressed immediately.

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan along with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon speaking with the press. [Delano Williams Photo]
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan along with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon speaking with the press. [Delano Williams Photo]
“Those matters that can be dealt with administratively or ministerial; we are going to deal with them almost forthwith… those that are going to be dealt with more technically… getting evidence and all of that  will be dealt with by the board of inquiry.”

Ramjattan added that a thorough investigation will be carried out. The names of a three man commission of inquiry will be released later today.

“That board of inquiry will start as soon as possible to hear the complaints of the prisoners and I want as many prisoners to give the evidence of what is happening and the systems in place for the purpose of remedying that which they are complaining about.”

The Public Security Minister said Government will be looking to find the necessary finances to ensure that remedies are provided.

“They have promised that they are going to calm down now that they have seen two senior members of government because that is what they wanted.”

The prisoners have also requested to meet the press on occasions, Ramjattan disclosed, noting that it is unfortunate that so many persons lost their lives yesterday.

The public security minister said some of the basic needs of the prisoners will be met almost immediately. Issues of meals and communication with families will be remedied immediately. When asked whether prison officers will be removed or transferred, the Public Security Minister could only state,  “It could very well be all of those … though the allegations have been made by some of the senior officers here we would want to from the officers too and of course the kind of food  they have been getting… that can be done quickly.”

He said he has a list of concerns and he will recommend that a number of the issues be remedied immediately.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said a gentleman’s agreement was reached and the prisoners will make good on promise to have things return to a state of normalcy as government will fulfill its promise of investigating the circumstances that led to yesterday’s activities.

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