Dear Editor,
It is very evident that Jamaica has a broken system. The sad thing is it has been broken for years and is only highlighted when someone is hurt or killed.
The list of citizens who have either died or suffered brutality in the presence of the police tells us that clearly there is a need for issues to be addressed. Recall Agana Barrett, Robert Hill, Nakiea Jackson, and Kayann Lamont, who, lest we forget was eight months pregnant when she was shot to death after uttering curse words to a police officer.
When citizens are in the custody of the State, for whatever reason, they should be protected by the same State. For anyone to be beaten or harmed in any way is wrong, and be it by other inmates or by the police the same State is responsible.
When a person is placed in custody it is the responsibility of that State to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual.
If it takes the beating death of Mario Deane for the minister of national security to demand a report on the care and protection on those in the custody of the police, then clearly something is wrong. As minister it is his job to make sure that every single citizen is being treated humanely while in State custody. It is his job to visit these government facilities and make sure that things are up to standard. Even if he does not go himself, he should see to it that it be done.
The irony of all this is that the police allege that Mario was beaten by fellow inmates, one suffering mental illness. So the question is why do you place a schizophrenic in a cell where he could be beaten by other inmates? What is in place to handle inmates with illnesses of this kind?
We cannot continue to sit by and accept this travesty. Once again, do not make this an issue that will divide us as a people, this is an issue that affects each and every one of us regardless of our political affiliation. When we vote, we do not vote to be treated like animals, or to have our dignity or pride swept away by those whom have sworn to serve and protect.
Michelle Bradshaw
michelleannmariebradshaw@gmail.com
We can't just sit by and watch the brutality
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It is very evident that Jamaica has a broken system. The sad thing is it has been broken for years and is only highlighted when someone is hurt or killed.
The list of citizens who have either died or suffered brutality in the presence of the police tells us that clearly there is a need for issues to be addressed. Recall Agana Barrett, Robert Hill, Nakiea Jackson, and Kayann Lamont, who, lest we forget was eight months pregnant when she was shot to death after uttering curse words to a police officer.
When citizens are in the custody of the State, for whatever reason, they should be protected by the same State. For anyone to be beaten or harmed in any way is wrong, and be it by other inmates or by the police the same State is responsible.
When a person is placed in custody it is the responsibility of that State to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual.
If it takes the beating death of Mario Deane for the minister of national security to demand a report on the care and protection on those in the custody of the police, then clearly something is wrong. As minister it is his job to make sure that every single citizen is being treated humanely while in State custody. It is his job to visit these government facilities and make sure that things are up to standard. Even if he does not go himself, he should see to it that it be done.
The irony of all this is that the police allege that Mario was beaten by fellow inmates, one suffering mental illness. So the question is why do you place a schizophrenic in a cell where he could be beaten by other inmates? What is in place to handle inmates with illnesses of this kind?
We cannot continue to sit by and accept this travesty. Once again, do not make this an issue that will divide us as a people, this is an issue that affects each and every one of us regardless of our political affiliation. When we vote, we do not vote to be treated like animals, or to have our dignity or pride swept away by those whom have sworn to serve and protect.
Michelle Bradshaw
michelleannmariebradshaw@gmail.com
We can't just sit by and watch the brutality
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