New video shows prisoners doing drugs, gambling in jail

NA Prison

…President expresses concern
…as IAC calls for Ramjattan, Samuels’ resignations

New video evidence of prisoners at the New Amsterdam Prison, who are on remanded for serious offences surfaced on Wednesday, raising new concerns about the quality of supervision and security within the facility.

On Wednesday, Head of State David Granger expressed worry about the recent Mother’s Day ‘bash’ that featured prisoners sporting high-priced liquor and narcotics.
The video, which was secured and seen by Guyana Times, shows some of the same prisoners featured in photos shared on social media not only drinking alcoholic beverages but smoking marijuana and costing a significant amount of cash.
In one clip, a prisoner is filmed counting at least 12 single $5000 bills as he places them on a plate that was filled with what appeared to be cannabis and other prohibited substances.
Another clip showed the prisoners boasting about the “sweet life” that they are enjoying despite the fact that many of these very men were awaiting trial for grave breaches of the law, including rape, murder, robbery under arms, simply larceny and gun-related offences.
When contacted on Wednesday, Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels denied any knowledge of the new video, stating expressly that he was only aware of the photos which had surfaced via Facebook.
He said he was at the time on a visit to the Mazaruni Prison but explained that contact could be made with the Public Security Ministry and its Public Relations Department for any update on the ongoing probe.
Despite this, Samuels told Guyana Times that he had already submitted an updated report to the Ministry based upon preliminary investigations, following the most recent prison fiasco. He said the probe was ongoing but so far no “substantial or sufficient evidence” to implicate other persons in the controversy which occurred over the Mother’s Day weekend was found.

He said no arrests were made to date but anyone found culpable would be disciplined accordingly before requesting that if this newspaper was inclined it could share the videos with him so that an assessment could be made and action taken.
Guyana Times also managed to confirm that at least one prisoner who owned the cellphone that took the first set of photographs featured on social media has accepted responsibility for his actions. His phone was seized.

Resignation
This newspaper was told that the alcohol and other illicit substances as well as the drugs were smuggled into the prison via a tractor owned by the Town Council.
Meanwhile, President David Granger would only say that he is concerned over the security situation at the facility and the state of security in the country, given a number of other matters that would have been reported to him with respect to the conduct on law enforcement officials.
But the Indian Action Arrival Committee demanded much more from the President than just him expressing worry and concern.
The IAC said it is of the strongest opinion that this lawlessness must be brought to an end immediately as it called on President David Granger to ensure that all those persons responsible for permitting this egregious lawlessness must either be called upon to resign or be dismissed.
“…Minister of Public Security and Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan has proved himself to be incapable, inept and incompetent to carry out the political responsibility for the prison service given the spate of unfortunate events which have taken place under his leadership of the sector,” the IAC stated.
The IAC also called on President David Granger to immediately request Minister Ramjattan’s resignation, failing which he should be dismissed.
“The IAC is also is of the belief that the Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels is also incapable, inept and incompetent to administer the prison system of Guyana and the organisation is calling on President Granger to request his resignation or failing which to dismiss him.” (Michael Younge)