No official information has been released in reference to an investigation of the gruesome photographs released in February which appeared to show two Fox Hill prisoners badly beaten in a bloodsmeared room. Yesterday, The Tribune attempted to receive an update on the status of the report, however all efforts were denied.
However, a spokesman for Minister of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister Cythina Pratt said: “Mother Pratt would not be able to comment on this matter.”
Mark Wilson, permanent secretary at the ministry, as well as personnel from the Prison’s Public Relation’s office were also not available.
The photos, which showed the two men lying naked on the floor of what appears to be the prison holding room, were e-mailed anonymously to Nassau media houses in early February.
The men, both shackled at the hands and feet, appeared to have the remnants of yellow hospital gowns hanging from their bodies.
With one lying on his side with a full-length cast on his right leg and a bandage on his left shin, and the other lying on his back with his knees up, both were surround by what appears to be tracks of smeared blood.
Immediately after the photos’ release, the Ministry of National Security stated that a full investigation would be launched into whether the photos were, in fact, of two Her Majesty’s Prison inmates.
At the time it was also questioned whether or not the photos were of two prison escapees, who had recently returned to the prison mid-January.
In a past press release, Mr Wilson said: “The ministry is very concerned about these allegations and is currently investigating the truth of these allegations.”
During the January prison escape, prison officer Deon Bowles was fatally stabbed and four inmates – Neil Brown, Barry Parcoi, Forrester Bowe and Corey Hepburn – managed to escape.
While Brown was shot and killed, Bowe and Parcoi were immediately recaptured just outside the prison. Hepburn was also later captured.
During a press conference Prison Superintendent Elliston Rahming said that Bowe and Parcoi had both being injured during their recapture. Bowe had been shot, while Parcoi been “wounded”.
As of yesterday evening, any of the allegations had yet to be denied.
By KARAN MINNIS Tribune Staff Reporter
