Guards beat inmates for protest against cruel conditions bahamaspress.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bahamaspress.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Prison Commissioner Charles Murphy
NASSAU| Prison Commissioner Charles Murphy reinstated access to cigarettes for inmates after they protested the move on Thursday.
Murphy quickly lifted the ban on smoking and cigarettes, which took effect today, after angry inmates refused food, flooded corridors of cells and threw waste at guards.
The inmates also called for the removal of Murphy as commissioner.
Many inmates use cigarettes as a coping mechanism for the harsh conditions at the prison.
The decision to stop cigarettes caused tensions to reach a boiling point, as inmates have a long list of unaddressed grievances.
They include a lack of access to potable water; family visits have been discontinued for over a year, and lack of medical care and a balanced diet.