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Family seeking answers to prison inmate’s death

The family of an inmate of the New Amsterdam Prison, who reportedly died last Sunday, allegedly after complaining of abdominal pains, is questioning the circumstances of his death, since they claim that according to the post-mortem report he died of strangulation.

Cheddi Brijbilas

Dead is Cheddi Brijbilas of Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, who was incarcerated at the New Amsterdam Prison. Efforts to contact prison officials in Berbice and Director of Prisons Dale Erskine in Georgetown for a comment yesterday proved futile.

According to Joseph Brijbilas, the son of Cheddi Brijbilas, on Friday October 3, his mother Chandrawattie Brijbilas, spoke with his father at the Prison. He described their conversation then as “normal”.

On Monday October 6, the family received a telephone call from a person who identified himself as a prison officer, who said that Cheddi had “passed away”, and that he had been complaining of “abdominal pains”.

Joseph Brijbilas, a third-year student at the Cyril Potter College of Education, Rose Hall, told Stabroek News that the news came as a shock, since only “a few days we talk to he and he never mention anything like that”.

Joseph said his father was an “outspoken person” and if something was wrong with him he would have said.
He also questioned why the officer from the prison waited until Monday to call, when persons saw them “taking we father from the prison since Sunday? Why they had to wait till Monday fuh call we? Why they didn’t call on Sunday?”

The family is not sure whether Cheddi died at the hospital or at the Prison, but a post-mortem examination was performed and the report stated that he died from “manual strangulation”.

Joseph said his father was a very strong person and “it would take more than one or two persons to overcome him”.

Speaking to Stabroek News at the Brijbilas home, as persons were gathering for the funeral yesterday, Joseph said the events just “don’t add up”.

He explained, too, that when they went to the mortuary to see Cheddi, they were prevented from doing so and were told, ‘it is a police matter. You all can’t go in there’.

He also questioned why they were not allowed to witness the post-mortem examination.

He said that when they finally got the body for burial, they noticed that there were “cuts on his mouth”.

The Brijbilases lamented that “nobody nah give we any satisfaction yet. Nobody nah say nothing yet.”
Cheddi Brijbilas’s death follows those of Nolan Noble and Edwin Niles, both of whom were inmates of the Georgetown Prison. Two prison officers have since been charged with killing Niles.

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19 Responses to “Family seeking answers to prison inmate’s death”

dave
on October 12th, 2008 6:12 am

This matter is certainly of grave concern, and the family
need to ensure that they have capable representative to investigate
and follow-up the circumstances that surronds the death of Cheddi

Until then , I am sure the family will not rest in peace.

The ‘voice of the people’ is definitely of tremendous importance.

Let us support the family.

[Reply to this]
Gerry
on October 12th, 2008 8:44 am

What is going on at the Prisons in Guyana? Are they trying to force another major outbreak?
A remanded man was found on the street.
Fire all those crooked prison officers.Imagine officers are threatening inmates with poison.They should have been fired immediately.
A thorough investigation need to be done.Put a few undercover, honest men in each of those prisons to find the truth.
Stop this evil before it spreads.

[Reply to this]
Mel
on October 12th, 2008 9:08 am

people should try to stay out of prison….considering the alternative….think about it guys.

[Reply to this]
decanadianCarlVeecock
on October 12th, 2008 9:08 am

I wonder who did the PM

Dying from strangulation while being an inmate is a very serious matter.

Of course we have to get info on whether the cell was a shared one.

If it was not…hmnnn ….more worries for the Prison Chief.

My condolences to the family.

Death is always a sorrowful matter whatever the circumstances.

[Reply to this]
warlard 187
on October 12th, 2008 10:01 am

Forget who did the pm. its sad very sad. Prayers for the family. Gerry I agree with u on this 100%

[Reply to this]
Arnold
on October 12th, 2008 10:31 am

Another prisoner dies while in custody, the police claims that the victim died of abdominal pains, and the post-mortem manual strangulation. Someone have to pay the consequences.

[Reply to this]
Fur Congal
on October 12th, 2008 12:38 pm

well here we go again!…to all of u who crying for justice i say onto u ” remember god is the only true justice u can receive” i hope this man had some strong faith cause “we never know when we will be exiting life” but we do know where we will be going without faith in god we………………………………………………………….

. besides u know the gps gonna say either is another prisioner did it or he did it to he self! ….so seek god and forget about this world…because were promised a better one coming soon.

[Reply to this]
Caesar
on October 12th, 2008 12:39 pm

In a case like this, if there is foul play,in a wrongful death investigation,one needs witnesses.They must be bold enough to step forward.They must also be in a witness protection programme.

[Reply to this]
Tracy
on October 12th, 2008 12:50 pm

Something should be done about this matter! My deepest simpathy goes out to Brijbilas family. No one deserves to die like this. And where were the cameras? Are there any cameras in this prison cell? There should be a deeper investigation concerning the death of Cheddi. Unitl justice is served, there will be no peace in the family.

[Reply to this]
John Smith
on October 12th, 2008 1:53 pm

This just another case where I see the family being push around until they are tired then give up and the whole story is buried with the dead man.

[Reply to this]
Balwant Persaud
on October 12th, 2008 1:58 pm

What are the opposition parties and the Human Rights Associations doing about this?
Where are the protestors? This is a clear case of violation of human rights.

[Reply to this]
coolieman
In reply to the above comment on October 12th, 2008 8:53 pm:
Seems like you want the opposition to bring out protesters so more Guyanese will apply for ‘REFUGEE’ Balwant you should wait for the other side story before making for such a call, shows your bias , my sympathy to the family , may he R.I.P

[Reply to this]
Fineman cousin
on October 12th, 2008 1:58 pm

well here we go again i’ve seen vacancies for prison officers never for prisoners,besides if this man was a convict he could not have had all those visits the newspapers reported so i think stabroek is giving the relatives side of the story so i will just wait for the official side before making comment

[Reply to this]
Balla345_ky
on October 12th, 2008 2:01 pm

Shame! shame! This slackness need to be address as soon as possible…This family need to protest on the street and the community also need to back the family on this one; remember that it could have been anyone of you in this situation…… people you all need to come togather and address things like this.. Individually very little can be done without having some serious money but collectively a lot can be done to stop a lot of the madness that are taking place in your beautiful country

[Reply to this]
alexis 296
on October 12th, 2008 2:41 pm

i want to known what is really going with guyana prison system .mr dale needs to step down.

[Reply to this]
alexis 296
on October 12th, 2008 3:04 pm

i want to known what is really going on with guyana prison system. mr dale needs to step down.

[Reply to this]
SOESDYKE
on October 12th, 2008 6:21 pm

They will say he hung himself. Watch and see, is happens in Canada too.

[Reply to this]
Balwant Persaud
on October 13th, 2008 12:39 am

Mr. Coolieman, why are you getting personal? The family has my sympathy. Why are you suggesting refugee?
This is a case for the Human Rights Association and the opposition in Parliament. It is a violation of Human Rights.
And for your information, this last week I was successful in a case similar to this one but I never publicised it.
I will however publicise the one with the 15 year girl soon, stay tuned.

Finally anonymous coolieman, stick to the point and avoid the personality because it is not the first time you are doing it.

[Reply to this]
Indera
In reply to the above comment on October 13th, 2008 9:55 am:
My deapest sympathy to the Brijbilas family especially his wife and children, because of different circumstances he was incarcerated , but that does’nt mean that he had to be strangle to death two wrong does’nt make it right.
The gaurd should be there to protect and not the other way round. look like Guyana crime is more than the population. go figure

[Reply to this]