Although prison officials have taken steps to address two of the four complaints raised by deathrow inmates more than two weeks ago while on a hunger strike, prisoners are being warned that they are not dealing with an institution that succumbs to protest or pressure.
“We don’t react to demands or ultimatums, but we cater to inmates’ needs,” Superintendent of Prisons, Criminologist Dr Elliston Rahming, told the Guardian on Wednesday, during a brief telephone interview.
Earlier this month, the 14 deathrow inmates at Her Majesty’s Fox Hill Prison engaged in a three-day hunger strike to bring attention to their complaints about civil and constitutional infractions. They refused their daily rations of food and drink and vowed that they would continue their hunger strike until their demands for improved detention conditions were met or an acceptable arrangement was put in place.
In a petition hand-delivered to the Nassau Guardian, the inmates listed four area of concerns including additional visitation time for relatives from the Family Islands, timely delivery of necessary provisions, the construction of a basketball court, and daily showers and exercise in an area free of stench.
On Wednesday, Dr Rahming confirmed that officials have taken steps to address two of the four demands, which have been deemed “reasonable.”
He said the matter of the stench emanating from the exercise yard has been addressed, and the extension of time for persons visiting from out of town may be allowed.
“If a person comes from out of town to see a loved one, ordinarily there is some consideration that would be in their favour for a slight extension. That happens even now on an ongoing basis. However, we are not putting anything in writing to say well okay if you are from out of town you get an hour or an hour-and-a-half, but officers in that section would know that they are to exercise forbearance and discretion in granting a reasonable latitude for a visit because obviously those persons are not likely to be able to visit as often as persons right here in Nassau,” Mr Rahming said.
However, he stressed that the matter of the basketball court is beyond contemplation and the commissary matter that is well within hand.
Questioned as to how the inmates were dealing with the move, Dr Rahming was quick to add that there is no “negative outflow” from the action. He said that is a chapter that has been buried both by the inmates and certainly by members of the administration.
According to Dr Rahming from time to time there will be prisoners who will decide to take drastic measures to get their point across. He said organising a hunger strike is not extraordinary for those inmates who live closely together and take daily exercise breaks as a group.
“We all use whatever tools we have in life, and that is a tool that they have. Now they have learned, I believe, that they are dealing with an institution that does not succumb to protest and pressure and does not bow to ultimatums. I think that is clear, but as long as they are prepared to put their case, and if they have grievances they will be listened to, and to the extent that their grievances are reasonable they will be met. But when they start to make ultimatums – we are not going to do this unless you do that – then there is a problem because the tail can’t wag the dog,” Dr Rahming said.
A source told the Nassau Guardian tha duration of the hunger strike.
Additionally, the source said the inmates might have been trying to test Dr Rahming’s commitment to reform by asking for the changes, which had lingered unresolved for years.
By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, Nassau Guardian Staff Reporter
