Riot police called out

BATON-TOTING police, in full riot-gear, had to be called out at the prisoners’ cell blocks in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Courthouse yesterday evening after several prisoners fought with court police who were trying to usher the prisoners out of the cells and into transport vehicles to be taken back to the State prisons.

In the melee, prisoners ripped away iron strips inside the cells, forced out electrical wires from the walls and ceilings and smashed several bulbs. The riot-police who wielded tear-gas launchers were struggling up to 6.15 pm, to bring law and order back to the cells.

Some of the metal bars at the cell block was also ripped out. One prisoner suffered broken bones and had to be taken to hospital under guard during the revolt which started when several prisoners started to loudly protest inhumane conditions and the late start to their cases.

The prioners prevented riot police from gaining entry into the prisoners’ vehicle by locking its doors. They also cursed and spat at the officers. The riot began around 4 pm in the cell blocks beneath the courthouse when prisoners began throwing faeces at Court and Process police officers.

Some completely kicked out the iron bars of their cells. Others broke light bulbs. Police said that some of their men were attacked with broken fluorescent bulbs. Things got out of hand when amidst the ripping away of furnishings and fittings, prisoners cursed and jeered at policemen. Dressed in full riot gear and armed with batons and guns, a squad of officers stormed the cell block. The officers were met with stiff opposition.

Screams echoed from the cellblock as the prisoners were escorted to the prison van parked outside the court. From inside the prison van, the prisoners hurled obscenities at the prison officers. Such was their violent behaviour that the van began to rock from side to side.

Riot squad officers sprung action and took up position around the vehicle, which was surrounded by relatives of the prisoners. The prisoners called on deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington to be removed from the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. They accused him of repeatedly postponing their cases.

A police source stated that the prisoners became incensed by a lunchtime meal of red beans, rice and stewed beef, served to them. Some of the prisoners vomitted, creating a messy situation in their respective cells.

Some 88 prisoners were taken to the court yesterday. Four prison vans were parked outside the courts. Police sources told Newsday last night that Riot Squad police officers would escort the prisoners to Remand Yard in Golden Grove, Arouca and Port-of-Spain.