Prison Inmates Claim Mistreatment. Prison Commissioner Says Not So
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Commissioner of Corrections Charles Murphy defended the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services position after reports circulated social media regarding uproar at the facility by inmates claiming mistreatment.
In a press statement, Murphy said the claims of mistreatment are untrue.
“I categorically deny the claim that inmates are treated unfairly and inhumanely while incarcerated at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.”
Why it matters
Inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services are heard in a voice note demanding the resignation of Murphy while accusing him of denying them pure water, food visitation and the ability to smoke.
Reports are that prison officers were also assaulted by inmates who doused them with urine and feces because their demands were not met.
What Commissioner Murphy Says
Murphy says inmates are allowed three meals daily. He added that inmates have been smoking cigarettes in a no-smoking zone which has irritated other inmates who are non-smokers.
“I wish to advise the general public that inmates are allowed three meals per day, daily exercise, and showers in accordance with the Human Rights Convention, standard minimum treatment of offenders, and the Correctional Service Act 2014.
“Further, the southern wing of the Maximum Security Housing Unit has just been recently renovated as part of our improvement project.
“This area is designated as a NO SMOKING ZONE to which all inmates placed in that housing unit are aware. It was brought to my attention that inmates are smoking in the unit which created a problem for inmates who do not smoke.
“Inmates were also found damaging the walls and cell doors in the newly renovated unit with the cigarettes. They have been warned to discontinue this practice many times to no avail.”
Murphy said, as a result, his administration had taken the position to discontinue the issuance of cigarettes to preserve the health and safety of all inmates and to protect the infrastructure within Maximum Security and the interest of the general public.
