After being charged tomorrow afternoon, Pipersbrugh and Robateau who both have prior convictions - will be remanded to the Hattieville Prison. That institution has come under fire recently for gross human rights violations but speaking with us earlier this week, Superintendant Errol Gentle defended the conduct of his officers. He says the prison is no picnic:
Errol Gentle
We are not running a Boy's Scout or a Red Cross in here, we are running a prison and everything that happens in the streets, reflects, is a spin-off in the prison. With the escalation of violence in the country on a whole, it is just normal, it is just natural that the conditions in prison, when it comes to the behavior of the inmates, will deteriorate and we have to take measures. We are aware of the laws of Belize. The prison act, which is chapter 139 of the Substantive Laws of Belize is our guide and whatever we do, including the use of force has to be justifiable. Yes, I think it is unfair because sometimes we are given a black eye, we are given a bad name and people don't really come into the prison and see what is going on. You know, right now, anybody can walk around and see that the prison at this moment is being run better than before.
Gentle will now need to communicate that rugged ethos to his new bosses. Kolbe International, the private management team, will take over the facility shortly. The bill to privatize the management of the prison, will be presented at the next sitting of the House of Representatives on July 19th, 2002.
Producer: Jules Vasquez
Internet Version: P.J. Banner