Human rights advocates have expressed shock at photos showing two men shackled and naked lying in smeared blood, believed to have been taken at Her Majesty's Prison.
The Ministry of National Security has expressed strong concern over the photos and has vowed to launch an immediate investigation to determine their authenticity and whether the two inmates are, in fact, escaped convicts Forrester Bowe and Barry Parcoi, as suspected.
Bowe and Parcoi were -among four inmates who staged a daring prison break from the maximum security wing on January 17.
During their escape, prison officer Deon Bowles was stabbed to death and two other officers were wounded. Bowe and Parcoi were recaptured just outside the prison, and another inmate, Neil Brown, was shot dead by prison officers.
The fourth inmate, Corey Hepburn, eluded police for two weeks before being recaptured.
Attorney Fayne Thompson said that if the photos are, in fact, legitimate, then the country risks not having a civilised society. He said the Bahamas has to ensure it does not resort to barbarism.
Paul Moss, a human rights attorney and advocate of prison reform, said he was "shocked, embarrassed and dismayed" by the photos, regardless of who the men may be.
He said the incident is reminiscent of the scandal involving the US military prison at Abu Ghraib and photos taken of war prisoners in Iraq.
Mr Moss said that just as there was a major investigation into that incident, which resulted in demotions and court martial of troops, the government needed to ensure that this situation does not go unchecked.
He said that while inmates have been convicted of crimes, their prison sentence does not include torture.
He said that while he did not condone the actions of any of the inmates who escaped, or the actions which led to the death of the officer, "to have them chained and bound in that fashion was wrong."
He said it poses a very serious question about the activities of the prison and of guards.
Fred Smith, president of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association, also said the must be thoroughly investigated by an independent commission.
We are shocked and appalled by the photos. It is inconceivable that anyone should be left in that condition. We are calling for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the activities of the prison."
He said the GBHRA also plans to contact international human rights organisations regarding the photos.
Mr Smith added that, with Officer Bowles' death, and the death of Brown, emotions are running extremely high.
He said it was for this reason that prison superintendent, Dr Elliston Rahming, should have been particularly alert to the possibility that a prisoner could have been abused.
He said it was therefore very important that Dr Rahming should take more control of the prison and ensure that escaped prisoners are kept in safe custody.
Mr Smith said that, while he does not blame Dr Rahming for the escape or the death of officer Bowles, if the photos are what they suggest, it shows that the prison is out of control.
He also said he felt that Prime Minister Perry Christie's comments supporting capital punishment at Mr Bowles' funeral were untimely and only, fuelled the raw emotion of the day. He said the prime minister should have done more to calm emotions.
"It doesn't help to perpetuate the cycle of violence. We cannot become the animals that they became, which put them in prison."
By CARA BRENNEN Tribune Staff Reporter
