Human rights group uncovers two more inmates languishing behind bars

A human rights advocacy group has uncovered two more cases of persons being held behind bars for decades without trial. The group, Stand Up For Jamaica, is now seeking urgent action in relation to the cases of  the inmates who have been at the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre since they were teenagers.

The men's cases are being highlighted a week after the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), highlighted the case of 81 year old Noel Chambers, who died in custody after 40 years without a trial.

In a media release today, Stand Up for Jamaica said it has identified two inmates, deemed unfit to plead, whose cases require urgent attention.

One of  the inmates is a 68-year-old man who was charged for murder on October 28, 1970. He was 18 years old when he was detained and has been behind bars for almost 50 years.

Stand up For Jamaica says the inmate is currently not receiving treatment and is not scheduled for court or being assessed for his fitness to plead.

The other inmate was deemed unfit to plead in 1976 after he was charged for two counts of murder. He is currently 61 years old.

Stand up for Jamaica has retained human rights attorney Isat Buchanan to file applications to have the two inmates transferred to the jurisdiction of  the court.

“The way forward is to ask the DPP to indicate whether she’s in a position to proceed with their matters in terms of the viability of prosecution, given the passage of time and she does have wide powers under the constitution certainly to offer no evidence or enter nolle prosequi, but several things can be done,” noted Buchanan.

Buchanan says he will be writing to the Director of  Public Prosecutions and the Governor General tomorrow. 

And Executive Director of Stand Up For Jamaica, Carla Gullotta, says the cases were identified yesterday after the group hired Buchanan to investigate whether there were others like Chambers. She says the group will be continuing its investigations.                                                 

Meanwhile, Stand Up for Jamaica says it has recommended the two cases to Chief  Justice, Brian Sykes, for urgent attention. It says this is based on the age of  the men and the period they have been languishing behind bars.

Stand Up for Jamaica is also seeking a meeting with the Chief  Justice to discuss the cases and the treatment of other inmates languishing behind bars.