Prison threats

An accused on remand at HMP Dodds who allegedly threatened the safety of a prison warden must remain under heavy security.

That was the position of Magistrate Douglas Frederick today after a request was made for Anthony Emanuel Griffith, of Lightfoot Lane, St Michael to be transferred to the Psychiatric Hospital.

Prosecutor Station Sergeant Carrison Henry informed the magistrate that there
was an incident at the prison over food following which Griffith told the warden that he would “do him something” once he was released.

His attorney Jamar Bourne explained that Griffith who is accused of stealing a $169 tablet belonging to his sister Sade Griffith on March 7, 2019 needed an evaluation at this time.

Griffith’s mother who was also in court asked the magistrate to send him to rehabilitation at Verdun House.

However, Frederick said that he could not make such an order at this point as Griffith was innocent until proven guilty and he
was concerned about the report by the prosecutor.

“He is threatening the officer [about]when he comes out of prison. Prison is a structured environment and the Psychiatric Hospital is a . . . hospital and does not have the level of security that the prison does.

“He needs to be under heavy security in light of what he is saying. We can’t condone this type of behaviour, he needs heavy security, the maximum,” Frederick said as he again remanded the 34-year-old Griffith to Dodds until May 10.