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INDECOM Commissioner Hugh Faulkner and Carla Gullotta, Executive Director of Stand Up for Jamaica
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has commenced its probe into allegations of human rights abuses at the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre in Spanish Town.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of National Security said the reports some inmates were on hunger strike in response to the alleged abuses were false.
But INDECOM Commissioner Hugh Faulkner says investigators have so far determined that some inmates who claim to have been abused are refusing meals, although it is not a "very organised protest."
Mr. Faulkner told Radio Jamaica News on Wednesday that INDECOM investigators went to the correctional facility on Tuesday following the media reports.
He said records of the Department of Correctional Services were examined and some of the inmates interviewed.
There is reportedly tension among inmates at the Correctional Centre stemming from searches for contraband carried out by the Caribbean Search Centre last week.
Inmates alleged excessive force was used, resulting in injuries to two of them.
Mr. Faulkner said INDECOM investigators are continuing their probe at the correctional facility on Wednesday.
"We will be interviewing some of the inmates, we'll be taking statements and naturally, we'll be speaking also to the correctional officers. We are seeking to establish if there has been any assault, in other words, causing bodily harm - whether actual bodily harm or grievous bodily harm. We'll be enquiring to see if there has been any wounding which caused the breaking of the skin and the flow of blood," he outlined.
Attorneys representing human rights group, Stand Up for Jamaica, will also be seeking to collect statements from more inmates on Wednesday.
The attorneys had visited the correctional centre on Tuesday regarding the alleged incidents, including the wounding of two inmates.
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