There is something wrong within the walls of our prisons and lockups

Dear Editor,
The death of another prisoner, this time James Nelson, whilst in lawful custody has highlighted the fact that there is something horribly and murderously wrong happening within the walls of our security forces where prisoners are kept. For the year 2008 my recollection is that there have been several high-profile deaths, including those of Ramesh Sawh at Enmore, Surendranauth Boojnauth at Mahaica, Edwin Niles and Nolan Noble at the Georgetown Prison − and these are just the ones that I can recall. I am presently assisting the relatives of Edwin Niles in obtaining justice. I recall that my professional and parliamentary colleague Anil Nandlall, MP, is representing the relatives of Sawh who are contending that his death was murder.

Today we read that James Nelson, who up until a few days ago was sane enough to skilfully carry out construction works at the Ministry of Home Affairs, was found dead in the Brickdam lockups after being arrested for behaving disorderly in the ministry’s compound on Monday last. One of the more ‘serious’ crimes for which he was being held was apparently the hitting of the Minister’s vehicle! His death has officially been attributed to the fact that he was of unsound mind and that he banged his head against the cell walls until suicide was complete. This sounds rather unbelievable and ridiculous. I have consulted with a senior medical practitioner who advises me that it is unlikely that a person (even with an unsound mind) will kill himself by banging his head against a wall as such a person, engaged in the act, will likely pass into unconsciousness before death, thus making it highly improbable or even impossible for him to proceed further until death is achieved.

Incidentally, in answer to a parliamentary question posed by me to the Minister of Home Affairs about the death of Nolan Noble a few short months ago, his answer was that prison officials reported that Noble was of unsound mind and is alleged to have hit his head against a prison wall until death. The official reason given for Nelson’s death now is beyond being eerily similar to that of Noble. It is exact in every regard, except for the place of death. The Hansard of what transpired in Parliament on that date is available for public scrutiny.

To the families of all those who have died whilst in custody recently, and even before, and who have not received closure and justice, I say that every effort will be made to find justice for them even in this hostile environment where justice is becoming more selective, discriminatory, and evasive. May the soul of James Nelson, and all those who have perished like him whilst in custody, rest in peace.

The government, the Minister of Home Affairs and the disciplined forces cannot hope to gain the respect and trust of the populace when killing, torture, and covers-up are now the order of the day. We have definitely taken a turn on the road towards autocracy and eventual anarchy and state failure.
I am currently compiling a register of all prisoners who have died in police or prison custody within the past 10 years and would welcome the public’s support by supplying all information available. Emails can be sent to rgctrotman@yahoo.com.
Yours faithfully,
Raphael Trotman