Inmate now blind after prison battering - Relatives contemplate law suit

Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter

AN INMATE at the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, Spanish Town, who was severely beaten by soldiers and warders last weekend is now blind and his relatives say they will be seeking legal advice with a view to filing a law suit against his assailants.

The inmate, Mark Heman, who was scheduled to be released in August, was discharged from the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) yesterday afternoon. He was taken there on Friday.

"His left eye is now blind and he is bleeding from the right ear; he is also complaining about stomach pains," said Margaret Grant, Heman's common-law wife, at the KPH yesterday.

She said Heman told her he could identify the soldier who beat and hit him in the eye. "He will be taking legal action," said Ms. Grant.

Dr. Raymoth Notice, medical officer at the centre, formerly the St. Catherine District Prison, confirmed that the inmate had loss sight in one eye.

"When I attended to him last week, I closed the eye that was not damaged and used a penlight and pointed closely towards the sick eye and there no was reflection," said Dr. Notice who also referred The Gleaner to the Correctional Department for further comment.

Following reports of the beatings in last Thursday's Gleaner, the Jamaican Bar Association (JBA) joined with several organisations in condemning the beatings and offered to legally represent any inmate who asks for assistance.

Deputy Supt. C.A. Walker, Crime Officer for St. Catherine North, said reports of beatings were being investigated and statements were being collected from prisoners and warders.

The Jamaica Defence Force is reported to be conducting its own investigations of the reports.

It is understood that concerns have been raised by relatives as to when the beatings began and at what stage or time the doctor was alerted about the injured inmates.

Dr. Notice said he learned about the beatings by media reports last week. Further reports reaching The Gleaner are that medical assessments have revealed that close to 150 injured inmates are now receiving medical attention.

Another inmate who was badly beaten is Dave Earle. His leg was broken eight months ago during an alleged confrontation with a warder. During last week's beatings, the other leg was broken, this time allegedly by a warder wearing green uniform.

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