[UPDATED] Prison Commissioner: No foul play in prisoner’s death

PRISONS Commissioner Deopersad Ramoutar said on Saturday a suspect who had been charged with attempting to murder a prison officer and the daughter of a deputy prisons commissioner died in prison on Friday night.

But he shot down speculation that violence was a factor in the prisoner's death.

"There has been no information coming to me about any foul play or any violence as such."

In a telephone interview, Ramoutar told Newsday, 'There is an active investigation going on both internally and by the police."

He acknowledged this could be a perception by some people when incidents like these happen.

Ramoutar said he was aware of some social media reports claiming that the prisoner died of cardiac arrest.

"Officially, I cannot comment on that. But in due time, all will be revealed."

An autopsy will be done on the prisoner's body to determine the cause of death.

In a statement, the prison service confirmed that Emmanuel Joseph, a remanded inmate at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre, at Sant Rosa, died on Friday around 10.20 pm.

Joseph, 22, was taken to the Arima Health Facility after complaining about chest pains.

He was attended to and subsequently pronounced dead by the attending physician.

The police were informed about Joseph's death and the matter is under investigation.

Joseph's family was contacted by an assigned welfare officer about his death.

The prison service extended condolences to Joseph's family and friends.

Joseph appeared before Port of Spain Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor on October 19, charged with two offences of attempted murder against a prison officer and a 12-year-old girl.

He was also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of firearm to endanger life and possession of ammunition to endanger life,

The victims, the daughter of deputy commissioner Sherwin Bruce and his driver were in an SUV on October 11, around 7.10 am outside his Barataria home, when two masked men armed with guns shot at the vehicle, then escaped.

The injured victims were taken to hospital.

Later that day, police arrested a suspect in connection with the incident.

Joseph was charged on October 18, following advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The matter was adjourned to October 24.

Newsday visited Joseph's home at Green Lane, off La Canoa Road, Santa Cruz on Saturday but family members refused to speak about the matter.

"We're not saying anything, we don't want to talk about anything. We have no comment at this time."

This story was originally published with the title "Prisons Commissioner confirms probe into prisoner's death" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

PRISONS Commissioner Deopersad Ramoutar said on Saturday a suspect who had been charged with attempting to murder a prison officer and the daughter of a deputy prisons commissioner died in prison on Friday night.

In a telephone interview, Ramoutar told Newsday, "The report that the inmate is dead is accurate."

'There is an active investigation going on both internally and by the police."

Ramoutar added, "There has been no information coming to me about any foul play or any violence as such."

He acknowledged this could be a perception by some people when incidents like these happen.

Ramoutar said he was aware of some social media reports claiming that the prisoner died of cardiac arrest.

"Officially, I cannot comment on that. But in due time, all will be revealed."

An autopsy will be done on the prisoner's body to determine the cause of death.

Emmanuel Joseph, 22, appeared before Port of Spain Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor on October 19, charged with two offences of attempted murder against a prison officer and a 12-year-old girl.

Joseph was also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of firearm to endanger life and possession of ammunition to endanger life,

The victims, the daughter of deputy commissioner Sherwin Bruce and his driver were in an SUV on October 11 around 7.10 am at his Barataria home, when two masked men armed with guns shot at the vehicle, then escaped.

The injured victims were taken to hospital.

Later that day, police arrested a suspect in connection with the incident.

Joseph was charged on October 18, following advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The matter was adjourned to October 24.