Paralysed Inmate Case Under Ombudsman Investigation

The Office of the Ombudsman has opened an official investigation into the August 12 incident at the Belize Central Prison involving inmate Nyere Parchue, who was shot during an attempted escape and is now paralysed from the waist down.

According to Major (Ret’d) H Gilbert Swaso, the probe will examine whether authorities followed proper protocols, including the use of force, fairness, proportionality, and the adequacy of medical care provided after the incident. Swaso stated, “Our role is to ensure accountability and continuous improvement in the administration of public services. This investigation is being conducted impartially and independently. We will follow the facts and the law, and we welcome the cooperation of all parties.”

Formal requests for information and evidence preservation have been issued to the Kolbe Foundation, which manages the Belize Central Prison, as well as to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Belize Police Department.

The incident in question occurred when 30-year-old Parchue attempted to escape from the facility. He was shot in the head by prison guards and later found to be paralysed. However, according to Kolbe Foundation CEO Virgilio Murillo, the paralysis was not caused by the gunshot wound but by a fractured spine sustained when Parchue fell from a 20-foot-high fence during the escape attempt.

“We will do everything to ensure that he is comfortable and his needs are met,” Murillo said. “But he certainly has to serve out the remainder of his sentence, especially given the violation of prison rules.”