TWO WITNESSES testified when the Commission of Inquiry into an insurrection at Glendairy Prisons two years ago reconvened at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex yesterday.

Temporary Prison Officer Pedro Clarke spent most of yesterday providing evidence, and was followed by inmate Mervin Weekes.

Weekes is expected to re-take the stand for a brief in-camera session today, before Acting Superintendent of Prisons, Lieutenent-Colonel John Nurse, starts what is expected to be a marathon session giving testimony.

The evidence is being heard by a three-man commission headed by retired Chief Justice of Bermuda, Sir Lisle Austin Ward, and comprising retired High Court judge Elliott Belgrave and retired Anglican priest, Father Andrew Hatch. (BA)

TEMPORARY PRISON OFFICER PEDRO CLARKE testified yesterday that he considered as unprofessional the way a senior officer held a meeting with inmates that was followed by an insurrection at Glendairy Prisons two years ago.

Clarke, a warder for 11 years, criticised Acting Chief Officer Everton Carrington for calling a meeting in his office involving a number of dangerous inmates, and doing so with no supervision from additional officers.

There was eventual chaos at that meeting, and minutes after a fight between two of the prisoners called into the meeting, rioting inmates set the facility on fire.

The former Barbados Defence Force soldier was the first witness to give evidence before the Commission of Inquiry into the burning of Glendairy on March 29 and 30, 2005, when sessions reconvened at the indoor gym of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex yesterday after a six-week hiatus.

The prison officer said that while he was on duty on March 29, more than 15 prisoners entered Carrington's office for a meeting.

"Usually, there would be two or three prison officers for something like that, but not this time," Clarke told the commission.

"I don't think he (Carrington) acted professionally by doing that," Clarke said in response to a question from commissioner Elliott Belgrave.

Clarke added he didn't believe having that many inmates in the same room followed proper protocol.

"That's not the correct way for handling a dispute at the prison," Clarke testified. "Usually, you bring in one inmate, deal with him, then deal with another, but not all at the same time."

He added that when the meeting turned bad, Carrington attempted to hold inmate Kemar Payne, who despite being handcuffed, proved too strong for the senior officer.

"He's a strong man. No one prison officer could handle him," Clarke said.

According to Clarke, Carrington eventually had to flee from his office because inmates were fighting inside.

Clarke said that for 12 months before the burning of Glendairy, he had noticed a clear increase in tension at the facility.

"I could feel the tension developing," the warder said. "Prisoners had lost certain privileges, and they were upset about it, and complaining more and more."