Prisoner beaten at MSP after quarrel over food

UPDATE:

A 35-year-old remand prisoner awaiting trial for murder was allegedly beaten on the head with a baton by a prison officer on Tuesday afternoon.

The prisoner was taken to the Arima Hospital, treated and returned to the Maximum Security Prison.

A family member contacted Newsday yesterday to say their relative, Ijia Braithwaite of Maracas Bay, who has been in prison for the past 12 years, told them that on Tuesday at around midday he asked for his lunch and a prison officer said there was no diet for him.

The relative said, “Ijia told the officer that he was hungry and needed to eat, but the officer insisted that there was no food for him.”
Newsday understands that the tray containing food for other prisoners fell to the ground, which enraged the officer.

Braithwaite was allegedly taken to a room and beaten. Relatives contacted attorney Gerald Ramdeen and the attorney promised to visit Braithwaite next week. Braithwaite was expected to meet with a superintendent of prisons yesterday to make a report, but the meeting was postponed to today.

Braithwaite’s relative said he does not believe in an “eye for an eye” justice and condemned the murders of prison officers. The relative pointed out that Braithwaite believes in justice from God.

Another prisoner, who was also beaten after he was held with marijuana, was also reportedly beaten on Tuesday.

Prisoners at the Maximum Security Prison are being closely monitored after it was discovered that the murder of prison officer Darren Francis was connected to the beating of a prisoner there.
Police believe Francis, who ran the prison radio station, was murdered to send a message to other officers who assault prisoners.

Yesterday acting prisons commissioner Dane Clarke confirmed that he had heard of the incident involving prisoner Braithwaite and he has asked for a report on the matter.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A 35-year-old remand prisoner awaiting trial for murder was allegedly beaten on the head with a baton by a prison officer on Tuesday afternoon.

The prisoner was taken to the Arima Hospital, treated and returned to the Maximum Security Prison.

A family member contacted Newsday yesterday to say their relative, Ijia Braithwaite of Maracas Bay, who has been in prison for the past 12 years, told them that on Tuesday at around midday he asked for his lunch and was a prison officer said there was no diet for him.

The relative said, "Ijia told the officer that he was hungry and needed to eat, but the officer insisted that there was no food for him."

Newsday understands that the tray containing food for other prisoners fell to the ground, which enraged the officer.

Braithwaite was allegedly taken to a room and beaten.