INMATES ALLEGEDLY BEATEN
INDECOM probes reports of assault at Horizon after correctional officer found dead
Published:Saturday | August 20, 2022 | 12:09 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
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The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is conducting a probe into the alleged beating of two inmates at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre in the Corporate Area on Monday. The alleged assault is believed to be linked to the death of 38...
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is conducting a probe into the alleged beating of two inmates at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre in the Corporate Area on Monday.
The alleged assault is believed to be linked to the death of 38-year-old correctional officer Shannon ‘David’ Briscoe, whose body was found in a gully in his home community of Seaview Gardens last Saturday, two days after he was reported missing.
It is believed that Briscoe, who worked at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre, was murdered.
The father of one of the inmates allegedly beaten has expressed concern about the well-being of his 31-year-old son.
“Because him come from Seaview and the warder dead inna Seaview, so that’s why they are saying is his friends and him know about it,” the father told The Gleaner.
The inmate’s father said he was contacted by a concerned warder because he was of the belief that the assaulted inmate was probably not aware of what he is being accused of.
“Dem a say him must tell dem what he knows and him must tell dem his friend’s name. He needs to see a doctor. He has been badly hurt. I called INDECOM and they went and took pictures of the injuries,” the father said.
The father said he got a phone call on Tuesday informing him that his son had been attacked about three or four times inside the prison.
“INDECOM called me back and went there the next day and met with him. All ‘bout dem beat him. Him mouth buss up and him get lick inna him chest. INDECOM take pictures so they have a better idea,” the concerned parent said.
It was not ascertained why the inmate was in custody as his father declined to say at the time.
INDECOM Deputy Commissioner Hamish Campbell said the agency received complaints from relatives of two inmates at the facility.
“They complained of an assault by at least four warders from the Department of Corrections (DCS) that occurred on Monday. The matter was not reported to us by the Department of Corrections, but, as I said, by relatives who contacted INDECOM,” Campbell told The Gleaner.
The two inmates have been seen and witness statements taken from them and enquiries continue into the matter.
“The concerned officers, once all identified, will be subject to further enquiry. Some have been identified,” Campbell said.
INDECOM said when their investigators visited the facility, it was apparent the senior staff and management at the correctional centre were unaware of the alleged assault.
“But once they became apprised of the situation, they provided the necessary cooperation that is required,” Campbell said.
INDECOM said the injured men were attended to by the doctor at the prison service.
When contacted, the DCS said it was aware of the alleged assault. A representative said that checks into the alleged incident would be made and a response given at an appropriate time.