INDECOM Probing Alleged Assaults At Correctional Facility

The Independent Commission of Investigations says it is probing reports of assaults at the South Camp Road Correctional Facility, after complaints from inmates about being intimidated and beaten by wardens. The inmates argue that the mistreatment stems from intimate relationships among the prison population to acts of violence in the facility.

The inmates are alleging that they are being mistreated by Warders. The facility houses female prisoners.

But a phone call from an inmate describing a recent incident tells the story of what is allegedly taking place behind these walls.

” Whenever you in a relationship with a female, him nuh think a so it fi go so him separate you and the female. Him torture you…me a suffer,” she said.

CVM LIVE reached out to the Junior Minister of National Security, Matthew Samuda about reports of mistreatment at the facility but  he said he was unaware citing the bi-weekly meetings with the Department of Correctional Services. The Ministry has been touring the Penal Systems, however, there have been no statements about the state of the female prison system.

When we called the Independent Commissions of Investigation, Director of Complaints for the Eastern Region, Warren Williams say he was unaware of the new issue.

Williams says INDECOM team visits the facility weekly to investigate reports and to conduct routine checks. Williams says a team has already been dispatched to to probe the incident.

“I’m going to have my team go down again and visit her, to hear what new has happening besides what has been laid in front us already, so once any matter comes in we have to treat it as a new matter, until we can determine otherwise,” he says.

The inmates argue that they are being intimidated by the wardens when they make complaints. They say the suspension of visitors has left them with limited options to make complaints.

But Williams says despite the coronavirus outbreak, the number of complaints from inside the facility, whether by inmates or family members have been relativity the same.

CVM LIVE is continuing to monitor this story.

Jamaila Maitland reports: