JDF moves to clarify reports on 'Livity' beating

[Skeng DX]

The JDF has moved to clarify reports that Leighton ‘Livity’ Coke the brother of former Tivoli strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke was beaten Horizon Adult Remand Centre on February 21.

In a press release the JDF says days leading up to the February 21, incident inmates at the Remand Centre became boisterous and began throwing urine, faeces, and other excrement from their cell.

A decision was then made to move the inmates to conduct a clean up of the area, however they were met by resistance as the inmates barricaded themselves and hurled expletives at personnel.

The release says soldiers were able to subdue the inmates through what it says are an ‘appropriate level of force’ by physically lifting them to their designated prison cells.

However when Livity was being removed he reportedtly resisted their attempts and tried to walk back to his cell.
It is then reported that he punched two JDF personnel in their faces, relieved one of his baton which he reportedly wielded at the soldiers.
The report says he was then subdued by a number of soldiers who used batons to restrain him and it was then discovered that he was bleeding and he was taken the medical facility located at the prison for treatment and was then transferred to the UHWI Hospital for an x-ray.

Doctors at the University Hospital determined that his injuries were minor and Livity was then taken back to the remand centre and after a cleanup of the area Livity was taken back to his designated cell. The Ministry of National Security has launched an investigation and the Public Defender has since visited the Centre.
A Gleaner report also stated that Livity has been interviewed by officials from INDECOM. Livity has been charged with illegal possession of a firearm and shooting with intent following the security forces incursion into Tivoli in May 2010.

[Skeng DX]

Sandra 'Sandy' Coke

Sandra 'Sandy' Coke the sister of Leighton ‘Livity’ Coke has called on the National Security Minister, Peter Bunting to intervene following his alleged beating by soldiers at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre on February 21. According to a Sunday Gleaner report, Dr. Jepthah Ford stated that ‘Livity’ was almost killed in the incident and only survived, because he pretended to be dead. The report says Livity had three large lacerations on his head; Livity who has been in custody since 2010 was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and shooting with intent following the security forces incursion into Tivoli in May 2010. Ms Coke in a Nationwide interview says her brother is being abused and has called on the National Security Minister to investigate the matter.

[Bricktop]

Tried to walk back to his cell via the stairwell?

[Baddaz]

livity need fi learn fi tek ordas from de real authorities... do as dem seh and stop gwaan like him in control... well, dat is what smaddy weh work at remand tell mi... no bias... soldier nuh juss get up and beat detainee juss suh...

[Gamma]

livity using the system as a sword an shield. him galang bad and then when him get chided him bawl, like a bad man!

[Baddaz]

exactly whats going on... him deh a remand a try use him name fi control de adda detainees dem... all a try get dem fi start riot... none a dem nuh want follow directions... suh de soja dem get serious pon dem... mi hear seh him spit pon a sojie and dem put it pon him... sojie nah tek nuh baddup from none a dem up deh... tuh how mi hear, livity had it coming... de sojie dem did only want him fi start it... him start it and dem finish it...

[Rudi]

Obviously he didn't get the Letterhead so the sodiers had to spell it out for him in BOLD letters. Change is good. hopefully it sunk in.

[Gamma]

tattoo dat r@ass memo inna him head, letter for letter, ergo letter head!!!!!

[MdmeX]

tattoo dat r@ass memo inna him head, letter for letter, ergo letter head!!!!!

clone it eena him DNA. Nutten wrong wid dem getting a likkle licks, how many weaklings dem beat up a road

[Bricktop]

Well the "riot" should have been caught on camera no? Let's see the tape...once again...the authorities claimed that he was restrained in a stairwell (where they just so happen not to have cameras)...this report tells a different story...this was all caught on tape...let's see it...

[Skeng DX]

livity is a Crack head......

[Skeng DX]

INDECOM probes beating of high-profile inmates

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), has launched a probe into the alleged assault of five high-profile inmates by soldiers at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre.

INDEDCOM said the complaint was made in a letter tendered in the Supreme Court.

Reputed Clansman leader Tesha Miller,Dog Paw gang man, Christopher Linton, convicted Gideon Warriors leader Joel Andem, Kevin Tyndale alias Richie Poo and Michael McLean, who is charged with the 2006 murder of six family members in St Thomas, have all complained of being assaulted by soldiers.

According to INDECOM, the letter of complaint tendered in the Supreme Court, was signed allegedly by the five inmates.

INDECOM said the inmates reported that at different times on or about January 29, 2012, they were assaulted by Jamaica Defence Force personnel in Security Post 11.

INDECOM says the letter of was complaint was forwarded to its offices along with a note from Diane Jobson the attorney for Christopher ‘Dog Paw’ Linton.

The incident was officially reported to INDECOM on February 15, but the investigative agency never released details about the matter until today.

It coincides with a Gleaner story that Leighton ‘Livity’ Coke, the brother of extradited crime lord Christopher Dudus Coke was beaten by soldiers last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, INDECOM says upon receiving the reports about the five inmates it immediately assigned investigators to probe the allegations.

According to INDECOM, at this time, medical journal entries are being sought to find out the injuries sustained by the inmates.

Additionally, INDECOM investigators have reportedly applied for medical certificates for the complainants who were taken to other medical facilities to determine the injuries they suffered.

INDECOM said statements are to be collected from JDF personnel, who were allegedly involved in the incidents and video surveillance tapes covering the vicinity of the incident are also being sought.

[Mosiah]

Is only di big criminal dem get assaulted by the state?? Or when dem talk people tek notice?

[Bricktop]

Yuh have a source in the remand center? Remember what happened to the last poster who came on here spouting half truths

[Skeng DX]

They're Bad Boys



Faced with fresh claims of abuse by five high-profile inmates at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre in St Andrew, prison boss Lieutenant Colonel Sean Prendergast has fired back, saying it was 'unreasonable' to believe that the reputed gangsters were on their best behaviour in prison.

"Some of these individuals have already been convicted. They are very dangerous individuals ... . Gang leaders who have been convicted of very serious crimes," said Prendergast, the commissioner of corrections.

Calling the five inmates - Tesha Miller, Christopher Linton, Joel Andem, Kevin Tyndale and Michael McLean - "very dangerous individuals", Prendergast charged that "many of them violently oppose" prison rules.

He said some of these violent acts have been captured on security cameras that were recently installed at Security Post 11 where some of the most high-risk inmates are housed.

"When they turn to violence and steer the violence towards our staff then we have confrontations and sometimes that results in injuries," he argued, while confirming that he was aware of 'incidents' involving all five.

Prendergast added: "That is a far cry from beatings, which gives the impression that they are beaten without any reason or that excessive force is used to have them conform (to prison rules) and this is not the case as far as I am concerned."

His comments came after the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) announced yesterday that it was probing allegations made by all five inmates that they were assaulted by soldiers at the high-risk Security Post 11 at the Spanish Town Road-based prison in January.

INDECOM said it has already assigned a team of investigators to the case and is now seeking to obtain video recordings made at the time of the alleged assaults and statements from members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) believed to be involved.

In a statement released yesterday, INDECOM said it was also seeking to obtain medical records to ascertain the injuries sustained during the alleged incidents.

This came a day after another high-profile inmate, Leighton 'Livity' Coke, brother of admitted drug kingpin Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, claimed he too was beaten by soldiers at the same prison.

But the JDF, in dismissing the allegations, suggested that it was a ploy by the inmates to force prison officials to transfer them back to the general prison population where they can continue their criminal activities.

"As we continue to frustrate their attempts to influence their gangs, inmates have resorted to doing everything in their power to have themselves removed from JDF custody and incorporated into the general prison population," said Captain Basil Jarrett, JDF civil/military co-operation officer.

Without singling out the five inmates who raised the allegations, Jarrett, who was responding to questions from The Gleaner, said in addition to attacking each other, inmates have used faeces and other refuse to attack JDF personnel.

Despite this, he insisted that JDF personnel, in subduing inmates, have always followed the correct procedures as laid out in the Department of Correctional Services' regulations.

Inmates have rights

When contacted however, Arlene Harrison-Henry, chairman of the Independent Jamaica Council for Human Rights, argued that even inmates perceived to be notorious and 'hardened criminals' have the right to be protected from abuse.

Harrison-Henry said in cases where inmates are alleged to have attacked JDF personnel or correctional officers, there are various ways to handle it.

"It's the same law that exists there as outside when it comes to the use of force. The correctional officer can use reasonable force to restore calm and proportionate force to the situation that these five persons are creating," she said, admitting that she does not know the full details of the allegations.

But Prendergast said while he has not yet been contacted by INDECOM, he welcomed the probe as his department has nothing to hide and has always been transparent.