Don Cleare, director of the computer information department at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) said prison surveillance cameras that were not working before the prison break, were never replaced. He explained that last year; five of the prison’s ‘digital virtual recorders’ with attached cameras, in addition to some computer equipment were lost during a severe thunderstorm.
Moreover, ASP Patrick Wright, prison officer and Assistant Superintendent, was the officer in charge of surveillance. He said during the morning of the prison break another officer was responsible for those duties. According to ASP Wright, it was found that the lights and cameras in the maximum-security area were down during the time of the escape. He explained that one of the cameras was able to pick up some images. However, when an officer was ordered to download the images from the hard drive to a DVD, it was discovered that there were no DVD’s in the department. He explained that sometime later DVD’s were brought to the surveillance room and the images were turned over to the Criminal Detective Unit for enhancement.
Defence Force officer Mark Knowles was stationed on the compound during the incident. He told the court he realized that his radio had lost its battery charge by the time of the prison break. He told the court after he became aware of the escape of the prisoners he missed an opportunity to get a ride with a prison bus heading off the compound. He said he used his personal vehicle to drive around the Joe Farrington Road area in search of the inmates, but was unable to communicate with other officers, because his “radio was dead.” However, he claims he located some prison officers and other law enforcement officials 15 minutes later, while driving on Yamacraw Road.
Corporal Kelsey Paul, a prison officer of 13 years, told the court he was on duty between 2pm to 6pm in the afternoon before the escape. He said he made a visual check on the prisoners housed in the C and D cellblocks that day and saw all of the prisoners who left the compound early the next morning in their cells. However, he told the court that he did not physically touch and check the cells.
Prison officer Van Johnson was initially scheduled to give evidence, however, Coroner Linda Virgil allowed him to seek the services of an attorney before the case resumes on April 24.
By: LaShonne Outten, The Nassau Guardian
