A preliminary report into the March 31 bloody escape attempt at the General Penitentiary in downtown Kingston has called for the strict enforcement of surveillance and security arrangements at the prison and complained of the loose manner in which warders were issued with firearm during the incident.

The preliminary report provided no definitive finding on how a gun used by an inmate to open fire on warders might have entered the prison, but last night the shadow minister for national security Derrick Smith said his information was that it was smuggled in via a vehicle operated by the Correctional Services Department.

Smith did not say, however, whether he meant that this was the same vehicle that entered the prison compound just ahead of the start of the uprising.

He called on the authorities to "come clean" on the matter, and for the national security minister, Dr Peter Phillips, to table a full report in Parliament.

"These issues raise some very serious concerns which must be addressed immediately by the minister," Smith said.
The preliminary report, a copy of which was obtained by the Observer, also reported that 24 inmates were beaten by warders, but Smith put the number at upwards of 100.

At least one of the dead inmates was taken from his cell and beaten to death, Smith claimed.

The Opposition security spokesman also claimed that warders were arbitrary with guns they did not know how to use, which support the interim report's complaint that not only was there no authorisation from the head of the prison for the distribution of the guns but there were no record of who got which firearm.

"During the incident, firearms were issued and later returned to the armoury without being duly recorded," the report said. "There is no evidence of the superintendent authorising the issue of firearm to repel the attempted escape.

". Officers who were issued with firearms after the initial incident went down into the institutions and discharged their firearms," it added. "Further inquiries are being made to determine which weapons were issued and to whom."
One prison warder and two inmates were killed and several others, including at least one visitor, were injured during the riot.

It was clear from the preliminary report what stance the authorities will take against Nishmar Crosdale, a visitor who warders claimed to be part of the escape bid and who was shot and beaten during the melee.

However, in the interim report, dated April 14 and presented to the commissioner of corrections, Major Richard Reese, Crosdale does not appear to figure in the incidents leading up to or during the escape attempt.

In fact, the only mention of Crosdale was listing him among the injured and to say the review team had not received a report on him.

According to the report, the incident erupted at about 10:15 am, about five minutes after a Correctional Services Department vehicle entered the compound with stock for the institution's tuck shop. The vehicle was being driven by correction officer O Sawyers who was accompanied by temporary wardress Yvette Robinson.

The van had not left the inner gate and was entering the north yard, the report said, when an inmate Richard Harrison was reported to have been seen running towards the gate lodge with a gun in his hand.

Harrison, the report said, fired several shots in the direction of the gate lodge. Correctional officer Wayne Lindsay, who was manner the inner gate, was shot..

The on-duty gate sentry returned the fire while the alarm siren was sounded - the signal of an emergency incident.
In the melee, an inmate, Germane McIntosh, was reported to have gained entry to the gate lodge and wrestled with sentry, Cleopatrick Blake, attempting to disarm him. Other officers went to Blake's assistance and restrained McIntosh.

Meanwhile, according to the report, Harrison, the inmate with the gun, had been shot during the exchange of fire and the pistol was taken up by another inmate, Jeffrey Jones, who is also called Ageable.

Jones, the report said, fired towards the gate lodge but then dropped the firearm and ran back into the prison yard.
During the incident a working party of inmates were still operating in the area of the southern perimeter fence under the supervision of correctional officers. These officers had no means of communicating with the institution but none of the inmates under their care attempted to escape, all were returned to the institution.

Preliminary recommendations (based on available information)

1. A more detailed system of recording of all visitors entering and leaving the institution to be implemented.

2. Enforcement of procedures governing the search of all vehicles entering and leaving the institution.

3. Enforcement of procedures governing the search of members of staff as stipulated in the Correctional Act of 1991 Part II, Subsection 117.

4. Installation of a walk-through metal detector and purchase of additional hand-held metal detectors.

5. Repair or replacement of institution's surveillance camera covering gate lodge.

6. Installation of surveillance camera to cover the main and pedestrian walk-through gates.

7. Reduction of visits to inmates to one per month.

8. Elimination of the intake of food and non-perishable items.

9. Expansion of the operation of the tuck shop to make available a wider range of items.

10. On-going weapons training for correctional officers.

11. The current ratio of officers to inmate population of 1 to 17 should be reduced in keeping with the United Nations Minimum Standard of treatment and care of offenders, which is 1 to 3 where possible.

12. Protective gear (bullet-proof vests and ballistic helmets) be issued to officers assigned to the gate lodge, sentry boxes, patrol and escort duties.

13. Hand-held and base station radios be issued to the officers assigned to key positions such as gate lodge, sentry boxes, patrol and escort duties.

Minister Grange tours new BBC studios

Guinness Sounds of Greatness creating a dancehall for everyone

Tarrus Riley shoots video for Start Anew