Authorities have launched a probe into the sudden death at Dodds Prison of a convicted former PSV conductor who had been spending four consecutive 12-month jail terms for burglary.
Superintendent of Prisons Lieutenant Colonel John Nurse has confirmed that Shawn Omar Hinkson, a self-confessed drug addict who was sentenced in September 2020, was found dead over the Easter weekend.
However, Nurse, who did not say where Hinkson was discovered, dismissed as premature, reports that the former Pavilion Road, Bank Hall, St Michael resident had passed away after not receiving proper medical attention.
“I don’t know anything about that. I don’t even know that the post mortem has been done yet. So I don’t know how anybody could make such a statement…anybody who can make such a statement must be an oracle,” the prison chief told Barbados TODAY.
“It is always sad when people pass away. I think this is the time when we are supposed to be concerned that the person has died, yes, and try to think positively about what he may have contributed to life and not looking now to destroy something else,” Nurse declared.
He gave the assurance that an investigation was being conducted into the circumstances surrounding Hinkson’s death. Barbados TODAY understands he had complained of not feeling well.
“Anytime there is a death, there is an investigation. We have always had deaths during the life of the prison….and we have always had investigations, so I don’t see why this should be any different. I am not surprised at what is going on currently. Everybody is commenting on everything with or without evidence,” Nurse contended.
Hinkson, also known as Drip Drip was jailed by Magistrate Manila Renee in connection with four burglary charges with a 12-month sentence on each charge that ran consecutively.
At the time, he had begged the magistrate to send him to Verdun House so he could receive help with his drug addiction.
“I need a lil help. I ain’t come to waste no time. I begging for a little leniency. I have a drug addiction, I would like some rehab at Verdun House. I want to change my life that is the honest truth”, Hinkson told the court. However, Magistrate Renee told him that the prison offered such help.
The then 35-year-old PSV conductor had pleaded guilty to entering the house of Edmond Byran as a trespasser and stealing a TV and DVD player worth $1 600 on March 19, 2018. He also admitted that between August 21 and 27 he entered the Counter Servicing Department at the General Post office and stole a fan and a microwave worth $560, the property of the Crown. He also pleaded guilty to entering the house of Calvin Scantlebury and stealing a television and remote valued at $800 and entering the home of Ramrattie Gobin with intent to steal.
At Gobin’s home, Hinkson was discovered with his body halfway through the kitchen window. He made his escape when the homeowner shouted at him.emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
