Prisoner’s body washes ashore

Homicide officers suspect foul play in the death of Carrera Island prisoner Ian Allen, whose body was found in waters near to the Alcoa Bauxite Plant in Carenage yesterday. His murder is the 239th for the year. A bag was placed over his head, his feet were bound together with his prison shirt, and a large stone was tied around his arm to ensure that the body did not float. The body bore visible marks of violence.

Senior officers of the Western Division told Newsday that they are treating the death as a murder. The shirt used to tie the arm of the murdered prisoner did not belong to Allen. Yesterday, homicide officers went to the Carrera Island Prison where they interviewed several prisoners. Investigators believe that Allen was murdered near Carrera and his body dumped in the sea. Reports revealed that around 6.30 am, Carenage fishermen saw the partly decomposed body floating 300 yards from Alcoa. They alerted the police who assisted in bringing the body to shore. A fisherman told police officers he saw Allen’s body since Monday but ignored it since he did not want to get involved.

Allen’s body was identified by prison authorities and taken to the Forensic Science Centre. An autopsy today will determine the cause of death. Yesterday, Prisons Commissioner Carlos McHoney said that an investigation has been launched into the disappearance of the prisoner. He said that he could not comment further on the matter since it is now a police matter. Allen went missing on Monday around 9 am. The prisoner had been serving eight years hard labour for unlawful killing. Another prisoner, Ignatius Owen alias “Shakes” was found dead at Golden Grove on September 28, and up to yesterday that investigation was ongoing. His family claimed he was beaten to death by prison officers.