Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique

A fresh move is being made to secure the release of some of the inmates at the Richmond Hill prison on medical grounds. The latest move is coming rom the Conference of Churches of Grenada (CCG). Six church leaders representing the Anglican Church, Methodist Church, Roman Catholic Church, Grenada Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church and the Salvation Army have signed to a document advocating the release of the prisoners.

The document did not identify any specific prisoner but over the years, attempts have been made to secure the release of some of the condemned revolutionary leaders of the ill-fated 1979-83 Grenada Revolution on ill health. Former Deputy Minister of Information, Phyllis Coard was released almost five years ago to seek treatment allegedly for cancer of the colon.

Another of the prisoners, former General Manager of then state-controlled Radio Free Grenada, Colville "Kamau" Mc Barnette has been identified as another of the so-called sick prisoners. Mc Barnette's father is known to be associated with the church grouping.

Following is the text of the CCG release on the issue of sick inmates at the prison:

As leaders of the churches that are members of the Conference of Churches Grenada (CCG), we wish to affirm that we agree in principle with the current initiative aimed at securing the release from the Richmond Hill Prison of some long-term prisoners who are sick and inform and no threat to society.

While this initiative to secure their release is today's news in our media, the legal ground for release of sick prisoners is established by the Statutory Rules and Ordinances of 1980.

According to Article 83 of the Rules and Ordinances, when a prisoner is so ill that continued incarceration makes no good sense, the Medical Officer is directed to inform the Commissioner of Prisons, who is then to inform the Minister responsible for the administration of justice.

From discussions with clergy who visit the prison and dialogue with some medical personnel, we believe that the conditions set out in article 83 fully apply to some prisoners in Richmond Hill Prison. Due processes for their release should begin now.