Murder at Golden Grove Prison

A 47-YEAR-OLD man who was arrested last Thursday for failing to pay maintenance, was beaten to death at the Remand section of the Golden Grove Prison yesterday morning. Family members of Ignatius Owen, aka “Shakes,” are calling for a thorough investigation into his death as they fear a cover-up. “From our information, ‘Shakes’ was beaten first by police and then by prison officers before he died. The prisoners had nothing to do with his beating and any prisoner saying otherwise has been forced say so,” an angry cousin Karen Owen told Newsday at the family’s Acono Road, Maracas home yesterday. “We want a thorough investigation into this because we know they will attempt to cover it up because of the people involved.” According to reports, police officers went to Acono Road, Maracas, St Joseph around 10.30 am last Thursday where “Shakes” was arrested on an outstanding maintenance warrant for failing to pay some $25,000 to his ex-wife and two children.

The warrant was upped from $1,000 in 1995 covering both children, to $1,500 in 1999 covering wife and children. “Shakes,” a part-time mechanic and former Century Eslon employee, lapsed in his payments because of decreased income. The warrant carried with it bail in the sum of $8,000 with a surety upon arrest.  According to further reports, on reaching the Remand Yard where there were about a dozen other prisoners, “Shakes” became violent and started attacking, spitting and beating prisoners. The prisoners retaliated which continued all into Saturday morning. Later that night he was moved to a cell next to the infirmary where he remained by himself. “Shakes” was kept among hardened criminals during his short stay in prison. Around 4.30 am yesterday officers on routine duty checked on him and “Shakes” was alive. When they checked one hour later, the father of three was dead. Prison sources claimed it was the beating he got from the prisoners that caused his death. But angry family members are claiming  this to be untrue. “No prisoner laid a hand on ‘Shakes,’ he was beaten and left to die by the prison authorities,” continued another family member.

“Shakes” was never sick or violent, when he left here he was quiet, so why would he attack and beat up prisoners? The prison officers killed him! “We also have information that he died around 11.45 pm on Saturday at the infirmary.” Family members also expressed concern that after his arrest on Thursday they were given the run-around by police to find him. He was arrested wearing dirty, grimy, old stained clothes he in which he was working and they only wanted to give him a change of clothes. They further claimed it was only when an officer came to the family house and said he was dead that they knew where he was and when pressed for information as to what happened, they got no answers. Prison sources supported many of the claims made by family members. When contacted police remained cautious on the information given, however sources revealed that while they have gotten nine statements from prisoners in the cell none have been conclusive as to what took place, although they agreed there was a fracas.

Police sources further claimed that not until they get the autopsy results would they have a clearer picture of how he died. Police however confirmed his body showed marks of violence. “Right now we are between the devil and the deep blue sea.” When contacted Commissioner of Prisons Carlo Mahoney said he could not comment because he was in church. Deputy CoP John Rougier while also declining comment because the matter was now a police investigation, admitted the maintenance and other minor crime prisoners are not placed in the same cell as hardened criminals. Earlier this year the prison service was rocked to its foundation when a prisoner admitted he was regularly abused and sexually assaulted by prison officers. Over the years there have been several similar complaints against prison officers. “Shakes” was to appear before a Tunapuna magistrate today to say why he should not be sent to prison. Cpl Wayne Winston is continuing inquiries.