Kolbe CEO Addresses Allegations After Mother of ‘32’ Cries Foul

On Wednesday, we heard from the mother of Jahreem Staine, better known on the streets as ‘32.’ He’s currently behind bars at the Belize Central Prison after violating a court order. Far from being just another twenty-two-year-old, Staine is accused of being part of a gang at the center of a fierce neighborhood rivalry. In fact, there have been several attempts on his life. Back in October, when he was denied bail and sent to prison, the lower court said part of the reason was for his own safety. But now, his mother is speaking out, claiming her son is being mistreated and that his human rights are being violated while he remains locked down. Earlier today, News Five spoke with Virgilio Murillo, the CEO of the Kolbe Foundation, who says that if his mother wants to see him, she can make a request, and special arrangements will be made to accommodate her.

 

On the Phone: Virgillo Murillo, C.E.O., Kolbe Foundation

“Firstly I will let you know we don’t have any holes around here. We have what we call a restrictive housing unit for prisoners that we cannot manage in the general population. For violent prisoners and that kind of prisoners, because you realize prison is about safe custody and when a prisoner is violent we need to put him in an appropriate housing unit where we can manage them, because prisons are about control.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Is it that he was acting violently in the prison or because of alleged violent behavior outside the prison that these measures were taken?”

 

On the Phone: Virgillo Murillo, C.E.O., Kolbe Foundation

“He has his rivals here and he would have made after his rivals if we did not intervene. So, he wanted to get another prisoner killed and I will not call any name, but what he does in society will not play out in prison. In society he can move freely and do what he does, but certainly not in this facility.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What is the condition like in that housing area, because they are talking about him sleeping on a thin mattress, not being fed and that he was pepper sprayed in the eye for no apparent reason.”

On the Phone: Virgillo Murillo, C.E.O., Kolbe Foundation

“Well, I don’t know about being pepper sprayed for no apparent reason. What I can tell you he is lucky to have a bed with a piece of sponge, unlike some people in Gungulung and other places in Belize City who may not have a bed or a piece of sponge. So, I think he is doing great, considering that he is breaking laws in society.”