Handing over of report delayed

The report on the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deadly Camp Street Prison riot has not been submitted. The report was scheduled to be submitted to President David Granger on Tuesday.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the report is now expected to be handed over at the Ministry of the Presidency some time today. The CoI began on March 8 and was expected to conclude by March 28, but the Commission applied for a two-month extension, which was granted. Testimonies and cross-examination were wrapped up on May 9. Retired Justice James Patterson served as Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry while Dale Erskine and Merle Mendonca served as Commissioners.
After two days of rioting at the Camp Street penitentiary, 17 inmates died after fire, reportedly set by inmates, engulfed the Capital A block filled with scores of prisoners on March 3. President Granger who serves as Chairman of the National Security Committee ordered an inquiry into the fire after inmates met with Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.
At the meeting, the inmates and the Ministers reached a “gentleman’s agreement” whereby some of the concerns of the prisoners were addressed. These negotiations did not sit well with some sections of society and was met with criticism.
Outlined in the terms of reference, which covered the period March 2 to 4, the CoI aimed to enquire into all the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the prisoners, to report the findings and conclusions to the Minister of Public Security, and to make recommendations on any action that should be taken to avoid a recurrence. When the witness statements had concluded on May 9, Commission Counsel Excellence Dazzle noted that witnesses’ testimonies along with many other materials which the Commission had in its possession would be used to compile the report.
On April 20, the Guyana Bar Association withdrew from the CoI citing time constraints in cross-examination of witnesses.