Officer and inmate injured in two jail cell struggles
(CNS): Local authorities have confirmed that a prison officer received a serious head wound during a struggle with an inmate last week, and in another incident an inmate was injured in a jailhouse struggle when officers used force to get him back to his cell. Prison officials confirmed Tuesday that on the evening of Wednesday 1 May, a prison officer was assaulted by an inmate with a history of violence and aggression. Then on 3 May, an inmate, also described as “violent and aggressive”, received what was described as a superficial injury when he was forced back into his cell following a police interview.
The prison has not stated if either the officer or the inmate in the two incidents were the same. The police have confirmed, however, that they are investigating an allegation of assault on the prisoner.
Officials revealed that in the first incident the prison officer sustained a severe cut to his forehead and he was taken to the hospital in George Town, where he was treated and released. “The inmate has subsequently been placed in an area where he can be monitored. The incident has been reported to the police for investigation,” the prison stated.
In the second jail cell struggle on Friday afternoon the inmate was being escorted from a police interview back to his cell when he refused to return to his cell block. “A struggle ensued between him and the escorting officer,” the prison officials stated. “Force was used to return him to his cell, where he subsequently received a superficial injury to his forehead. He was seen by the prison nurse and the superficial injury was treated and the inmate was returned to his cell. As is customary, the prison reported the incident to the police for investigation.”
The RCIPS confirmed that it is investigating the allegation, adding that, as it is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
The assaults come against a backdrop of recent reports that several inmates appear to have access to smartphones and are taking pictures and posting them on Facebook. The incidents are believed to involve both convicted and remand prisoners who are in HMP Northward in connection with serious and violent crime. The prison has not yet stated what action has been taken against the prisoners who had posted pictures of themselves in their cells on the social media site, which included one prisoner smoking what appeared to be a spliff in his cell.
Other sources have also reported to CNS that alongside recent ganja discoveries in the country’s prison, cocaine was also discovered in a jail cell, but the authorities have not yet confirmed the details.
Rumours of further staff shake-ups were denied this week by prison officials, who said that since November 2012 only one staff member has been let go after a contract was not renewed. However, it is understood that a new prison director has been recruited to replace Dwight Scott, who took early retirement last year, and he is expected to take up the challenging post next month.
Category: Crime
Well, I hear that there is virtually no security, the prevailing view of the Portfolio and the Rehabilitation Boss is saying that there is too much emphasis on security, now I hear the boy are all tense and no searches taking place.
it is the same prisoner again and again. he is a very dangerous mentally ill young man. cayman has not invested in their mental health issues and this is the result. do not i repeat do not blame the prison. its disgusting all you so called leaders of caymans youth policy etc etc. what you have done for your disturbed little boys????? NOT ONE THING.
See what happens whe you take their ganga away.
We must keep our eyes on that place. Why can they not say if it is the same prisoner? Are the changes causing all sort of problem, not properly implemented. Is it that no emphasis on security again. What is the Portfolio doing ? A prisoner told me that the place is tense,
For a little pisspot prison, we seem to have a gigantic amount of problems of the sort that should be able to be controlled or prevented. Like cell phones, posting on Facebook, ganga thrown over the walls etc etc. It's pathetic.
I am puzzled that we are no longer hearing from Deputy Chief Officer Corrections and Rehabilitation Kathryn Dinspel-Powell who was all over the media prior to the departure of Dwight Scott as Prison Director. A quick search of your site will prove my point. She came across as being the real authority on prisons and any problems that came up and now that he is no longer there, I am surprised that all is not running smoothly.
One can only hope that whoever the new PD turns out to be, the individual will not be publicly challenged in the performance of their duties as Mr Scott was.
Clearly there is a big problem with how the prison is being run!
"Someone has blundered!"
Just think, we imported almost every prIson guard we have!
And why do you think that is the case, 21:35?
Because the people in power prefer to use incompetents of their own nationality, rather than the incompetents we have available here.
my friend who is in northward tell me it is because no staff is on the wings at times of the day. the workshops have all the staff in them as they are pushing with the rehab thing and taking all the staff off of the wings leaving the cell areas so short of people. the inmate see this and choose when to cause trouble as no one is around to do any thing or help. they turning it into a dangerous place because no staff about.
For real, I hear the man was wearing a mask, when he hit the officer.,mthatbaint right. If cocaine is in there, there will be a lot of trouble.