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Tue Apr 17, 2007
National Youth Service participant beaten, allegedly by soldiers
Executive Director of the National Youth Service, Reverend Adinair Jones says the organization is investigating reports that one of the campers at the Chestervale facility was badly beaten by military personnel.
His statement comes as the facility recovers from an incident Monday night in which some of the troubled teenagers mounted a riot.
“His report is that he was injured by a military [personnel] and we are now trying to ascertain exactly what happened. We are not ready at this point to cast any blame because the investigation and due process has to be followed and the participant is aware of that. His treatment in terms of medical fees has been taken care of by the NYS,” said Reverend Jones.
Reverend Jones is also indicating that the role of the military will be reviewed, especially against the background of ongoing complaints about the treatment from soldiers, who form part of the camp staff.
“In terms of wider problems with the military abusing power we have heard some allegations from some participants, we have also heard comments to the contrary from other participants and that is something we are opening up to our internal review as well,” he continued.
Police and military personnel went to the camp in East Rural St. Andrew to quell the disturbance.
More than 200 teenagers from nine inner city communities in the Corporate Area were at the facility where they were participating in the state-run Citizen's Security and Justice Programme.
It is reported that about 20 of the participants protested against the removal of four of their colleagues due to disruptive behaviour and started throwing stones at one of the buildings.
One of the participants was injured and had to be taken to hospital.
The situation took a turn for the worse and there was a three hour standoff involving camp personnel and the protesting teenagers.
Nearly 20 of the teenagers who were involved in the programme were sent home Tuesday morning.
<u>More:</u>
Security forces called in to stop rampaging NYS participants
National Youth Service participant beaten, allegedly by soldiers
Executive Director of the National Youth Service, Reverend Adinair Jones says the organization is investigating reports that one of the campers at the Chestervale facility was badly beaten by military personnel.
His statement comes as the facility recovers from an incident Monday night in which some of the troubled teenagers mounted a riot.
“His report is that he was injured by a military [personnel] and we are now trying to ascertain exactly what happened. We are not ready at this point to cast any blame because the investigation and due process has to be followed and the participant is aware of that. His treatment in terms of medical fees has been taken care of by the NYS,” said Reverend Jones.
Reverend Jones is also indicating that the role of the military will be reviewed, especially against the background of ongoing complaints about the treatment from soldiers, who form part of the camp staff.
“In terms of wider problems with the military abusing power we have heard some allegations from some participants, we have also heard comments to the contrary from other participants and that is something we are opening up to our internal review as well,” he continued.
Police and military personnel went to the camp in East Rural St. Andrew to quell the disturbance.
More than 200 teenagers from nine inner city communities in the Corporate Area were at the facility where they were participating in the state-run Citizen's Security and Justice Programme.
It is reported that about 20 of the participants protested against the removal of four of their colleagues due to disruptive behaviour and started throwing stones at one of the buildings.
One of the participants was injured and had to be taken to hospital.
The situation took a turn for the worse and there was a three hour standoff involving camp personnel and the protesting teenagers.
Nearly 20 of the teenagers who were involved in the programme were sent home Tuesday morning.
<u>More:</u>
Security forces called in to stop rampaging NYS participants
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