Emotional reunionof ‘lifetime’ prisoners

Mooniah Ramiah of St Helena had the chance to visit with her three sons, Seenath (serving for the past ten years at Carrera), Damian and Bobby (both serving for ten years now at MSP).

The three were sentenced to death on August 7, 2001 for the murder of Thackoor Boodram, brother of executed killer Dole Chadee.

The other Ramiah brother, Joey, was executed in Trinidad in 1999, along with gangster Chadee and seven others, for the murders of Deo Baboolal, his wife Rookmin, their daughter Monica and son Hamilton.

Mom Mooniah up to yesterday maintained her sons’ innocence, and complained about the lengthy delay in getting court dates scheduled.

Seenath meanwhile was reunited with his three children, Neesa, 17 , Tricia, 15, and David, 18, all of whom said they were thrilled to be able to visit their father together. “He keeps telling us to make good choices and take our education,” the very attractive Neesa stated as she playfully teased her father that he will be an old man when he got out.

Saying it was the first time she had been able to hug her father since his incarceration, she added that the family was appreciative of these type of visits. “We hope they will have these more often.”

Serving at Carrera for the last 31 years, Cecil Alexander sat surrounded by his two sons and daughter.

Admitting they were babies when their father was sentenced, Roxanne described yesterday’s reunion as very heartbreaking, but she was grateful to be able to spend time with him in the relaxed setting.

Alexander kept looking around in amazement and Roxanne admitted he was a bit confused by the activities since it was his first time in a large crowd of happy people during the period.

“He usually has to write and request a visit, which could take about three months to arrange, so we are happy to see him together.”

The function was part of a week of activities themed “Week of Prayer and Transformation”, for prisoners and officers, organised by the Prison Fellowship of Trinidad and Tobago (PFTT).

The culmination today includes a church service and family day for prisons officers.