Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter
A SUPREME Court Judge, on hearing complaints yesterday from inmates at the Horizon Remand Centre, Spanish Town Road, that they were being brutalised by soldiers and warders, has asked attorney-at-law Everton Bird to check on the allegations and 'bring a report back to the court' next Friday.
Justice Dukharan made the request after an accused man who Mr. Bird is representing in a murder case told the judge that he was suffering in custody because of the brutality being meted out to him and other prisoners. "There is a lot of brutality going on," the prisoner stressed.
The inmates spoke of prisoners being deprived of drinking water and food. He told the judge that while he knew it was wrong to have cigaretttes in prison, he didn't feel the punishment meted out to prisoners caught smoking could be justified. He disclosed that when a prisoner was caught with one or two cigarettes, the prisoner was severely beaten by warders and soldiers, sometimes to the point where they have to be hospitalised.
The inmate, in a passionate plea to the judge, said under no circumstances could it be fair for prisoners to be treated in such a manner. He said warders and soldiers were always bragging that 'they run the place'... 'they were in charge.'
"I am in custody for three years now, I am anxious for my case to be tried now," the prisoner pleaded.
Another prisoner shared a similar story. He complained of being dehydrated because he was deprived of drinking water, adding that at times the only meal he got for the day was a cup of rice and a piece of chicken back.
Mr. Bird said he had heard similar allegations of the wanton abuse of inmates at the Horizon Remand Centre from people who came to his office at times.
The judge told Mr. Bird that he expected a report on the allegations when the prisoners return to the Home Circuit Court next Friday.
Mr. Bird has agreed to investigate the matter.
