By Lynford Simpson, Staff Reporter
SEVERAL INMATES of St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, Spanish Town, injured themselves during the two-day disturbance there last month, when they fell from their hammocks, a Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier testified yesterday.
Private Desmond Bryan was giving evidence before the Commission of Inquiry probing the incident. The inquiry, now in its third week, is also seeking to ascertain how contraband entered the maximum security prison.
Under questioning from Hugh Salmon, Director of State Proceedings in the Attorney-General's office, Pvt. Bryan told the inquiry that several prisoners on the second floor of the New Hall block "fell from their hammocks and burst their heads" in their effort not to have their cells searched. The private said the hammocks were close to the ceiling, as much as six feet off the ground. His testimony evoked laughter from those in the church hall where the inquiry is being conducted, forcing sole commissioner, Justice Lloyd Ellis, to bring order to the proceedings.
Also, Pvt. Bryan told the commission he fired four rounds from his self-loading rifle when he observed other soldiers under attack from inmates on the New Hall Block. Like other correctional officers and soldiers before him, Bryan denied that shots were fired directly into cell blocks. He told the commission that inmate Damion Thomas was pepper-sprayed by a warder to force him out of his cell. He said a knife was knocked from Thomas's hand, he fell to the ground and was struck several times.
Warder Clifford Kitson who also testified yesterday said inmates were allowed to roam the prison compound for up to four hours each day without being searched. He conceded that this could contribute to the trafficking of contraband on the cell blocks. He said reports to senior officers about the practice have fallen on deaf ears.
While testimony has already been given that a power saw was among the contraband confiscated during the May 21 and 22 disturbance, it emerged for the first time yesterday that a pickaxe was among the items found.
According to Mr. Kitson, he received reports that knives were buried under the floorboards of a cell occupied by Dave Earle and went in search of equipment to pry the boards loose. He said he found a pickaxe in a nearby cell and used it to lift the boards so he could retrieve the knives.
While cross-examining the witness, attorney-at-law Dahlia Allen, suggested the pickaxe was not found in a cell but was instead used by soldiers and warders to pry open the locks on cells to get the inmates out.
Testimony given by Mr. Kitson yesterday in part supported that given earlier by prison physician, Dr. Raymoth Notice. The doctor had claimed he saw inmate Andrew Peart being beaten while on the ground, handcuffed. Both warders and soldiers had denied that Peart was beaten while handcuffed. But, Mr. Kitson said yesterday that one of Peart's wrists was in handcuffs while he was on the ground.
Pvt. Alfred Poyser of the JDF who took the stand yesterday, will return at 10 a.m. today to continue his testimony before the commission.
