Mother of ‘32’ Claims Prison Mistreatment; Kolbe CEO Responds

The mother of Jahreem Staine, better known on the streets as “32,” has raised concerns over her son’s treatment at the Belize Central Prison. Staine, 22, from Lake Independence in Belize City, is currently behind bars after violating a court order. Allegedly involved in gang activity, Staine’s name has been linked to a violent rivalry in his community, with multiple attempts reported on his life. When he was denied bail in October, the lower court cited his safety as a key reason for sending him to prison.

Now, his mother is speaking out, claiming her son is being mistreated and that his human rights are being violated while in custody.

News Five reached out to Virgilio Murillo, CEO of the Kolbe Foundation, for a response. Murillo explained that Staine is housed in a restrictive unit designed for violent prisoners who cannot be safely managed in the general population.

“Prison is about safe custody,” Murillo said. “Whenever a person is violent, we need to place them in an appropriate housing unit where we can control and manage them. He had a rival here, and without intervention, he could have caused harm to another prisoner. What he does in society will not play out in this facility. Prisons are microcosms of society, but we cannot allow violence to continue here.”

Murillo also confirmed that intelligence reports indicated Staine had made threatening phone calls from within the prison. “We have to make sure what happens in society does not happen here,” he added, emphasizing the facility’s commitment to maintaining control and safety.