IN THE midst of the madness of prison riots, a poignant story of a mother’s love surfaced when escapee, Kerry Cromwell, was handed over to police earlier this week.
Cromwell had escaped, along with 12 others, from the Lusignan prison on July 23. That breakout followed the previous escape of July 9 when, initially eight prisoners were on the run.
Of the 21 who had escaped, 17 have been accounted for, one of whom was killed in confrontation with the security forces. At last count, only four of the escapees are at large, but a dragnet is tightening for their recapture. The surrendering of Cromwell to the authorities came days after another escapee nabbed in Kitty was reportedly as a result of another relative informing the joint services. Rarely, however, have we seen a wife or a mother delivering, in their circumstances, a loved one to the security forces; and to them would go the tribute of a grateful nation that they removed from harm’s way elements who had raised rebellion against the state, by securing their surrender.
In previous jailbreaks the escapees were given succor by relatives and friends, but this time around there has been a marked difference in the attitude of society to the outlaws. Like Cromwell’s mother, the same attitude was displayed by residents in Corentyne where another of the escapees was caught.
Minister of Public Security, Vice-President Khemraj Ramjattan, had made an early plea to relatives to help turn in the escapees. He had urged civil society, including parents, to report any suspicious activities and to cooperate with the security forces. He had also disclosed that Operation Cleansweep was intelligence-driven, and that the sources of information on the whereabouts of the escapees were ordinary persons in various communities. The dragnet has brought in all but four of the escapees who are still at large, considered dangerous, but not beyond the grasp of the long arms of the law.
On Monday Mr Ramjattan rightly commended the support of citizens, thanking members of the public who have been providing useful information which has led to the recapture of several of the fugitives who escaped from the Georgetown and Lusignan Prisons. The minister observed that members of the public have demonstrated bravery and a duty to the society to rid it of these persons who are to be in the custody of the state.
Importantly, the minister assured that the information has been treated with the strictest of confidence. The confidentiality and security of information passed on to the police over the years have always been an issue and must be refreshing to hear that due attention was given to this in the present situation. This can only inspire confidence and serves as encouragement to citizens to cooperate more with the security forces in the fight against crime.
Calls have also been made for the four remaining fugitives on the run to surrender and for citizens to continue their vigilance and to report all information to the police. In this period family members, relatives, friends and associates of those on the run are also being urged to turn them in if you are in contact with them or know of their whereabouts.
The Georgetown Prison, styled the Camp Street jail, had housed over 1,000 prisoners who had staged virtual riots from time to time. In March, 2016, prisoners set the jail on fire, resulting in the death of 17 of the inmates. But July 9, 2017 saw the entire wooden blocks of the prison being razed completely. The nation cannot afford a repeat of the 2002 crime-fighting tactics whereby villages were held under siege and an entire group demonised. There would also be concern if there is an attempt to re-create the fear of one group, feeling it is being targeted by another. Once the escapees are at large, it could also create and present cover for other criminal acts and harken back to the 2002-2006 era. Among the escapees are Uree Varswyck, also known as Malcolm Gordon, who was on remand for double-murder since 2014, and Bartica massacre convict, Mark Royden Durant, also known as Royden Williams. These are hardcore inmates. In 2015 Varswyck, who is a former policeman attached to the Tactical Services Unit, posted to his social media/facebook account that he would be free from prison. Many could recall the brutal precision in which the Bartica massacre was executed and the getaway tactics of those involved in the crime. Certain crimes in our society create opportunities for political connotation and hostility, which carry sharp racial undertones that people have not been immune to or protected from. Looking at the present blame game by former Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, former Presidents Donald Ramotar and Jagdeo, and former Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy via letters and statements to the media, is casting a dark shadow of what could likely ensue.