29 days ago, on March 18, police and the state launched Southside State of Emergency. It covered 8 areas of the Southside and sent more than 100 alleged gangsters to jail for 30 days - no questions asked, no arraignment before a judge, no presumption of innocence. At the time, the Attorney General said it would be renewed for another 30 or 60 days at the end of the first 30.
But, either there's been a change of heart, or events have overtaken - after all, we're now in a national state of emergency due to COVID-19 - and indications are tonight that the 100+ alleged gangsters could be coming out of prison either today or tomorrow.
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams went tot he Hattieville Prison yesterday and spoke to the detainees in a large open air hall. A cell phone captured his speech to them where he asked them if they want to stay two more months, or if they want to go home. The men eagerly shouted that they wanted to go home. The audio is poor, but here's that moment:
The Commissioner told the gathering that he would need to discuss their release with the Prime Minister.
Later on, he indicated that that the documents authorising their release could be signed either Thursday or Friday. We could not reach the Commissioner for confirmation on that release this evening.
If they are to be released now, they would fall under the national state of emergency and curfew which lasts at least until April 30th.
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