Mother Alleges Harsh Treatment of Jahreem Staine in Prison

Twenty-two-year-old Jahreem Staine, also known as “32” has been on remand at the Belize Central Prison since October ninth, for contempt of a judicial order. Today, Staine’s mother came to our office, worried and speaking out about what she calls human rights violations behind bars. She claims her son was thrown into solitary confinement the moment he was detained, cut off from phone calls and any contact with family. She alleges that he has endured harsh treatment, including being pepper-sprayed after accusations of making threatening calls. Here is what she told us when she stopped by our studio today.

 

Voice of: Mother of Jahreem Staine

“My son gone dah jail the eight of October, from the eight of October ih gone dah jail and deh carry him straight to the hole. Ih nuh get no call, no contact, nothing. Then last week Friday they pepper sprayed him because they said he is making calls to threaten people, but how will he make calls and he locked up. And when he tell the officer that his eyes are blurry, the officer will tell him that he has cataract so how will you be blurry. I don’t say my son is any saint, but fair is fair. How would they feel if they had their son locked up their for almost two months and nuh hear nothing, not even a call. All I the ask is fair is fair. I don’t want no special treatment for him. I just want equal treatment. That is all I am asking for. I go up there to look for my son. I cant see him none at all. You know how I feel when I go up there. All I have to is leave money for him. He sleep on a piece of sponge and a little blanket. He nuh have no breathing hole in that hole he is in. You know how it feels for almost two months to be in there. That is why I come here, because I need a little help, or something.”