Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GEORGETOWN556
2008-09-22 20:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:
(C) GUYANA PRISION OFFICIALS CHARGED IN INMATE DEATH
how-toVZCZCXRO9782 PP RUEHGR DE RUEHGE #0556 2662038 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 222038Z SEP 08 ZUI RUEHCB 8608-8611 ZDS FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6739 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY 0137
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000556
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADD SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: GY PGOV PHUM CASC
SUBJECT: (C) GUYANA PRISION OFFICIALS CHARGED IN INMATE DEATH
REF: GEORGETOWN 423
UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000556
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADD SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: GY PGOV PHUM CASC
SUBJECT: (C) GUYANA PRISION OFFICIALS CHARGED IN INMATE DEATH
REF: GEORGETOWN 423
1. (C) Media report two mid-level prison officials were
charged with manslaughter following a Guyana Prison Systems
(GPS) investigation into the beating and July 11 death of
Edwin Niles after guards found him with seven rounds of
ammunition. An autopsy revealed an arm fracture and
determined the cause of death to be a blood clot in the lungs
caused by burns. Niles, who was serving a three year
sentence for narcotics possession and scheduled to be
released in September 2008, was first of at least three
suspicious inmate deaths since July, and his death coincided
with the AMCIT prison chaplain approaching PolOff July 16 to
allege widespread abuses in the GPS (see reftel).
--------------
Comment
--------------
2. (SBU) The charging of officials in connection with the
Niles case represents the first serious step by any branch of
the Guyanese security services to find fault in their
officers for alleged abuse. While the prosecution assuages
media pressure, it is clearly only a first step and does not
resolve the question of whether senior-level prison officials
are taking appropriate responsibility in this case, or action
internally to insure no future incidents take place.
Williams
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADD SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: GY PGOV PHUM CASC
SUBJECT: (C) GUYANA PRISION OFFICIALS CHARGED IN INMATE DEATH
REF: GEORGETOWN 423
1. (C) Media report two mid-level prison officials were
charged with manslaughter following a Guyana Prison Systems
(GPS) investigation into the beating and July 11 death of
Edwin Niles after guards found him with seven rounds of
ammunition. An autopsy revealed an arm fracture and
determined the cause of death to be a blood clot in the lungs
caused by burns. Niles, who was serving a three year
sentence for narcotics possession and scheduled to be
released in September 2008, was first of at least three
suspicious inmate deaths since July, and his death coincided
with the AMCIT prison chaplain approaching PolOff July 16 to
allege widespread abuses in the GPS (see reftel).
--------------
Comment
--------------
2. (SBU) The charging of officials in connection with the
Niles case represents the first serious step by any branch of
the Guyanese security services to find fault in their
officers for alleged abuse. While the prosecution assuages
media pressure, it is clearly only a first step and does not
resolve the question of whether senior-level prison officials
are taking appropriate responsibility in this case, or action
internally to insure no future incidents take place.
Williams