Implementation of proposals from jailbreak inquiry could have prevented Camp St tragedy – Kennard

The fatal March 3, Camp Street prison unrest could have been avoided, according to retired judge Cecil Kennard, who says many of the recommendations made following the Com-mission of Inquiry (CoI) that he led into the 2002 prison jailbreak had addressed some of the contributing factors.

Kennard also lays blame for the overcrowding at the jail at the feet of members of the magistracy, whom he says have been remanding accused persons for long periods and imposing custodial sentences when non-custodial options are available.

On March 3, 17 prisoners were killed and several others were injured after a fire was started in the