KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a distressing incident that has prompted an investigation, a 57-year-old inmate, Patrick Perry, has died after reportedly being assaulted while in police custody. Perry, who hailed from Long Bay in Portland, was receiving treatment at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) when he passed away on Sunday morning.
Perry was admitted to the hospital on September 21, 2024, after being found unresponsive in his cell at the Annotto Bay Hospital two Saturdays prior. According to police reports, he was transferred to KPH later that same day due to the severity of his condition.
Medical examinations revealed that Perry sustained severe injuries, including damage to his ribs and lungs, head trauma, and a laceration to his kidney, indicating that he had been violently assaulted. Despite being placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for critical care, he succumbed to his injuries after several days of hospitalization.
The circumstances surrounding Perry’s injuries have raised serious concerns regarding the treatment of individuals in police custody. The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has been alerted to the situation and has initiated a formal investigation to examine the events leading to his injuries and subsequent death.
As the community grapples with this tragic incident, calls for accountability and reform in the treatment of detainees are expected to intensify. The investigation will aim to uncover the truth behind Perry’s death and address the broader issues surrounding the treatment of individuals in police custody in Jamaica.
