Mattress set ablaze in Camp Street jail

Pandemonium broke out within the walls of the Camp Street jail on Wednesday morning after alleged gang leader Colin Jones reportedly set a mattress on fire following an altercation with another inmate. The fire started about 11: 00h.According to information received, Jones set alight his mattress in front of his cell, but it was quickly extinguished by prison officials.

The reason for the altercation is not known to officials, but after five minutes of chaos, normalcy returned to correctional institute.
Prisons Director Dale Erskine told Guyana Times International that after the fire started, the Guyana Fire Service was summoned but by the time they arrived, the fire was already under control. There were damages incurred as a result of the blazing mattress, Erskine added.
The prison head also stated that the fire was put out before it could have spread, but as procedure, the fire service was contacted as well as the Guyana Police Force to boost security. The perimeters of the prison were cordoned off to prevent a breakout.
Upon arrival at the institution, he added that the fire service officials inspected the area and after a few minutes, it was given clearance for normalcy to return. The police are also investigating the incident.
In January, Jones, his younger brother Jafhar Simpson, and three others were committed to stand trial in the High Court for murder.
He was arraigned with the murder of Woodette Roberts allegedly committed between November 4 and November 5, 2009 at Loo Creek, Linden/ Soesdyke Highway. They were committed to stand trial in the High Court by Magistrate Leslie Sobers at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.
It was reported that on November 4, 2009, Roberts left his home in a gold-coloured Toyota Tacoma pick-up, GLL 7171, along with two other men when they were intercepted and abducted by Jones and his crew who were all dressed in black clothing, resembling police uniforms and bullet proof vests.
They claimed to be searching for arms and ammunition. The armed men handcuffed Roberts and the others and placed them in the tray of the Tacoma pick-up and transported them to Dora. While the two others managed to escape, Roberts was later found dead. During the same night, Jones and his associates allegedly conducted a reign of terror in the city, setting fire to the Health Ministry building and the High Court.