Prison COI suspended as Bar Association granted “full participation”  

President of the Guyana Bar Association, Christopher Ram today submitted an application seeking full participation at the ongoing Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the Georgetown Prison riot last week.

Ram told Chairman of the Commission, Justice James Patterson that the legal minds will provide their services to the body “pro bono.”

He is of the view that the Commission “without a counsel you are severely handicap” and believes that the Guyana Bar Association would be able to provide the much needed legal guidance.

The Bar Association President said it is absolutely necessary for there to be legal representation for relatives of the deceased, staff of the Prison and members of the judiciary , the Guyana Police Force and other stakeholders.

Ram was questioned by the Commission Chairman about the Attorneys from the Association that would be providing their services who often are “young” and “inexperienced.”

In Ram’s defense, he named Attorney Glenn Hanoman as one of the many Attorneys who will be appearing before the Commission, adding that there are members who often provide such services and do not “get the credit” they deserve.

The application was accepted by the Chairman, forcing the body to suspend today’s (Friday) hearing where another Prisoner was expected to testify.

On Monday (March 14, 2016) at 10:00hrs the COI will resume.