Prisoner beaten to death in MSP cell

Christopher Banfield, a 48-year-old remand inmate, has died after being beaten to death by another inmate suffering from mental health issues at the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) in Arouca. The fatal assault reportedly took place inside a cell at the Remand Facility's G&R Division building one sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

“

According to an interim report, officers were conducting their rounds just after 6 a.m. yesterday, when Banfield, a remand inmate, was observed to be lying motionless in his cell.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that other inmates were housed in the cell at the time of the incident and were allegedly too fearful to intervene. Prison officials discovered Banfield's unresponsive body, showing visible injuries, during a routine change-of-shift check early Tuesday. Inmates who were in the cell have been separated for investigation purposes.

“

The established protocols were immediately engaged, and officers from the Medical Services responded. First-aid was rendered, and attempts were made to get a response.

Prisons Commissioner Carlos Corraspe confirmed the incident in a release, extending condolences to Banfield's family. He stated that interim reports indicated officers found Banfield motionless during their rounds around 6 a.m. Medical Services responded, and first aid was administered, but Banfield could not be revived. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has been informed and is conducting parallel investigations.

“

the institution was unable to properly classify and separate remandees as it relate to their physical condition or psychological needs.

Gerard Gordon, head of the Prison Officers Association (POA), acknowledged that the institution struggles with properly classifying and separating remandees based on their physical or psychological needs. He cited overcrowding and infrastructural shortcomings at the MSP, which he stated was not designed for remanded individuals. Gordon described issues such as poor lighting, ventilation, water supply, and faulty gates, emphasizing that the death of an inmate is always a tragedy. He also noted that cells designed for approximately three men are often occupied by more.

“

Describing the overcrowding at the prison as a major contributing factor to the problem, Gordon explained that the MSP facility was never built to hold remanded individuals.