Last week we carried a story of a Guyana Director of Prison who was due to appear in court on October 27 after he was granted GUY$100,000 approximately EC$2,160.00 bail on a charge of sexually assaulting a female prison officer.
The Director was a former Assistant Police Commissioner. He pleaded not guilty when he appeared before City Magistrate but he has since announced his resignation from the top security post. The DPP there had recommended that he be charged with the offence that allegedly was committed in January this year.
In Montserrat, there has been an investigation taking place where two prison officers have been on suspension. The matter we have learnt has already been passed on to the Director of Prosecution’s office for further processing, while the complainant has been reported to be the recipient of subtle and other forms of harassment and embarrassment.
This week we sought and received confirmation of circumstances nearly similar to the foregoing in Montserrat, where since June this year the Governor’s office and the Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS), “received a complaint from a (female) member of the prison staff of victimisation, bullying and sexual harassment at HM Prison.
Full investigation has been ongoing, with the RMPS leading following others into “a specific allegation”, according to the information from official sources.
Governor Davis gets ready to happily present badges to various deserving prison officers (past and present) in 2013.
As the investigation continues, further information confirms that the “Deputy Governor’s and the Governor’s office are taking action on other aspects of the complaint.”
Meanwhile, the top senior officer and another facing the allegations, “remain on required leave,” suspended from the posts.
Informed sources have informed that the victim or the complainant has been subjected to severe harassment associated with her complaint. This is a situation which is rife in Montserrat for females facing such circumstances, especially where top individuals and officials involved. It raises the question as to how much and what protection or support are provided when allegations and charges are brought by women who face these circumstances.
In the Guyana matter there is a twist to the case mentioned. The story continues. “A Board of Inquiry, chaired by the former Director of Prisons Cecil Kilkenny, who has since died, had recommended that disciplinary action be taken against (the currently charged director), who earlier this month was the recipient of the Disciplined Services Medal from President David Granger.”
