Former Magistrate and local attorney, Tyanni Behanzin, said he will be taking his concerns about alleged mistreatment of inmates at the country’s prison to the international community.
This after a seven-day ultimatum given to government to investigate the matter came to an end.
“I am going to approach the international community myself and ask them to request the right from the state to visit and investigate the prisons, based on the allegations made,” he revealed in an interview with DNO on Tuesday.
On October 25, 2012, Behanzin visited the Stockfarm Prison to interact with his clients (inmates) who claimed that they have been beaten and threatened to have their meals poisoned.
During his visit, Behanzin claimed to have seen several marks on the prisoner’s bodies.
After that he gave government seven days to launch an investigation into the matter or he would take the matter to the international community.
According to Behanzin the matter cannot just be swept under the rug.
“While the minister of national security claimed that he knew nothing of the sort, the superintendent of prisons indicated that he would investigate the matter…” he said.
He said a competent international team should be invited to resolve the matter.
“To try and deny it doesn’t exist … I think the minister (Savarin) should consider his position and whether it’s tenable or not. He knows very well that there are issues in that prison that needs to be investigated,” Behanzin insists.
National Security Minister, Charles Savarin, has said there have been no reports of ill-treatment at the country’s prison suggesting that the former magistrate and now attorney could be seeking media attention.
He indicated that government had no information about any ill treatment of prisoners at the state’s prison.
He also described claims made by prisoners to have their food poisoned as “preposterous.”
We should not be surprised by the antics of Attorney Tyanni Behanzin, he loves the thrill of public attention. Have we not forgotten what he alleged some time ago that the Government had some secret program where they collected information on it’s citizen and he told the Government to come clean or he was going to bring evidence to disclose it.What came about that nothing.
The mistreatment of Prisoners is inhumane no doubt about it.I do not think there is not one Country in the world that does not treat their citizens inhumane when they are sent to prison, let us not be naive and think Dominica is the exception an needs an International Investigation.it is so funny Behanzin did not name the International body he intends to file his complain and if he did, does he think such body is going to rush to Dominica and investigate such allegations thereby putting Dominica on some black list.
Behanzin is a lawyer, Lawyers love manipulating public discussion especially when it may have a political twist, it makes them look good in the eyes of the public. Let us sit back and wait for another saga from Behanizan.
You must have been one of those sleeping. within 72 hours of Behanzin’s call for answers, the Then Police Commissioner came on a press conference to try to deny it, then he admitted that there was such a team NJIC who was tasked to bug people’s phone , then the following day the Prime Minister admitted and tried to justify it, Behanzin is more effective than the Official Opposition. Antics, you mean the antics of this corrupt regime. They will come down eventually!!!!
let them prisoners rot in prison. who gives a …. about those criminals who break laws, hurt people and cause problems..
ok so we should chain them in their necks like Dogs in our yards right?????? AND FEED THEM SCRAP FROM OUR TABLE right?? they have no rights right???? boy dominica is a sess pool of Ignorance
in its TRUE DEFINITION!
you not dom nuh, you DUMB!
They commit crimes in the community and should do their time, especially those who abuse children and vulnerable people in the community, I have no time for them. they deserve everything they get. but at the same time the prison officers are no better than some of the prisoners, they are just a bunch of criminals in uniforms, and using their uniform/position to bully the prisoners,
This is not a simple insignificant issue, a country’s treatment of prisoners is very serious business. Whether the allegations are true or not I think the way the minister handled it was very unprofessional. Maybe Tiyani could have handled it differently as well, by writing the minister first and if he did not respond or take action then he could have gone to the media. Whichever way, the issue needs to be dealt with. If there is a possbility that it is true then the allegation HAS to be investigated.
Justice and TruthNovember 15, 2012
“Are you aware that Johnny Cochran died some years ago? He had cancer of the brain. I read that it was brought on by constantly using the cellular phone. He had no choice since due to his law business. We are warned”
It does not take much for an intelligent person to discover how uneducated some people are!
How can you ask me such a ridiculous question when I said ” the late great Johnny Cochran.”
When one refers to someone in the English language as ” late ” the person speaking is talking about a dead person!
When I say i.e., ” the late Rosie Douglas, or the late Eugenia Charles, or my late mother Yvonne
Dods, or my “late” father Hector Telemaque, ” I am talking about people who are dead, and they could be dead for a thousand years or more, no longer in existence, at least not in this world, perhaps they now exist in the sprit world!
Don’t you know that?
It is more obvious to me now why many of you have chosen to write under such fictitious names; the reason is if you disclosed your name people will be able to point at you knowing that you do not have much in your head.
No matter how well one can use a computer keyboard, if you have nothing in your head, the computer keyboard will exposed you as it has done in this particular case.
Charles Maynard died and was buried a few months ago, so too is my sister Barbara, died in February 2012, therefore one can refer to both my sister, and Maynard as ” the late Charles Maynard, and Barbara Noel.”
I hope you have learnt something simple here!
By the way I reside in Los Angeles, the late Johnny Cochran also resided in a certain area of Los Angeles, and be informed that he is not the only member of the ” Dream Team” who represented Simpson to die from cancer in the brain, so to me your is not news.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
As far as i am concern when you commit a crime and you are sent to prison , you becomes the property of the state and you have no rights. They don’t have to be beaten of be treated inhumanly all the time but from time to time they need really bad treatment and if they are not behaving then they need bad treatment to keep them straight. Tyanni Behanzin may need work to do , so he should get a charity to work with and let the government take care of the prisoners.When they were committing their crimes were they thinking of how they were treating the people they were committing the crimes against ? just think of the brutal killings of that lady from giradul , Wayne Pinnard Dyrample , Kentish and so many others you really don’t think these convicted killers need some beating when he get up at the prison ?
As far as i am concern when you commit a crime and you are sent to prison , you becomes the property of the state and you have no rights.
God help us….
your perception will aid in ushering in Tyranny
Behanzin,it would be betterif u hold programes at the prison to help change minds and attitudes to violence, disrespect to other persons property as well as all the other activities as u know which cause them to be where they are now.Stop being double standard. Depending on where we sit it appears we tend to speak a different language. Remember a smile is a smile in any language.Explain to Dominicans what is ur secret motive.
A report should be prepared about the condition of the prison and prisoner’s mistreatment. This should be made public. As of now, we have only heard that they are mistreated and have marks on their hands/body. Could it be that they fought with other prisoners? A proper investigation should be conducted. There are always two sides to a story. Release the findings.
I think he wants the international attention for himself more than anyone else involved! I can’t figure this guy out; he doesn’t seem genuine at all, but he’s the only judge in DA, who keeps on getting more media attention than the others.
He seem 100 000 000 000 000 % genuine to me. We need more men like Behanzin on island!
Tyanni is just a made man he send poor ppl children to jail when he was a judge not his not ppl just just a lawyer not trying to make money on poor ppl children he send jail when he was a judge
@ Adam… If you had appeared infront of him, he would have sent you to school, so now you would know how to write properly.
I am with you on that Tiyani all the way.
PERFECT COMMENT@ …………….. @ ADAM PLEASE TAKE A HIKE!!!
Mr Behanzin is right when he asks for an international team. Can’t you all see the high level of injustice in this country? I mean examine closely the comments of the minister of national security do you honestly expect these people to come up withany fair assessment of the situation in the prison? The most likely answer is no because every thing about this political administration is about saving face.Hence, the needfor the international team of investigators.
To those those of you who make this idiotic comment that it is Behanzin himself who sent some of the very same people to prison shows your inability to comprehend true justice. Dominicans Behanzin gave some of these prisoners their prison sentence but does that mean they should be abused by the prison officers? Hell no and so Mr. Behanzins concerns show that he stands for true justice. Sentencing these guys to prison does not mean that they should be abused by the prison officers. It is time you people in this country wake up and think of the crappy, dunce ways of reasoning. No wonder you people say wrong is right and right is wrong.
So I get a “sipcion” about wrong doing at the prison, visit the prison to see my clients collect the information about the “sipcion”, call a press conference outside the prison gates and give the authorities seven days to launch an investigation that would involve outside interests, but keeping all the “evidence”, do not share the infomation. I then promise thatif I do not get the response I want in the manner and timing that I want then the mater will be taken to the next level.
Is that the way a government should be run? Is that the behaviour of professionals? Tiyani must known that no amount of Public Relations either as a debate organizer or whatever will erase from the minds of the public his stint on the bench. It is precisely because he abused people’s right that an extra ordinary large percentage of his decisons as a Lay magistrate was thrown out byt he court of appeal.
but u not saying that is why so much crimes happening in this country? i feel sor sorry for all u those dominicans that just sitting and giving all you tongu chain.
Behanzin visited the Prison on several ocassions, on two ocassions he spoke to us juveniles and some adult prisoners, people should stop destroy the man’s reputation. I know Luford well. His lawyer and the Chief told him to appeal then she sat in the court after quiet while the man faced the judges by himself, shame. the DPP was misleading the court when he spoke about the sentence. I remember Behanzin explaining the sentencing from section 16(1)(a), 150,000 or three times the street value of the drugs, which ever is greater- and max 15 years in Prison but minimum 7 years, so DPP was not truthful to the Court of Appeal. Behanzin even read to us the decission he wrote on Luford George and Remie George, including Handsards for 10 and 12th of May 1989 when the Drug law was being amdended in Parliament. Soo many people tried to destroy Behanzin. I served when Amstrong was in jail after Behanzin sent him there, I also saw Tyson thomas, after they left both got killed on the streets. I remember they use to say all kinds of things on Behanzin’s head. I remember Honore from Portsmouth who broke the jaw of a man in Portsmouth with a concrete slab, then he was put outside and he too was killed on the streets. All them man and five more that Behanzin sent to jail or denied bail were all killed on the streets. I am greatful for what Behanzin did to save my life.. If I was not sent to Prison by Behanzin, I too would have died on the streets. We should be fair to Behanzin he was truthful not like the lawyers who simply took our money
was he a “lay magistrate”?
Beat them prisoners if they don’t want to listen. As far as I am concern that Dominica prison to nice. They should make prison life hard. Like no roof in the cells and if you don’t plant your food you don’t eat. I bet guys would not want to go to prison and Dominica would be a better place.
I lived abroad, always check Dca news. Is not the same man who was sending ppl to prison for a piece of saltfish. And every little thing, He full up the prison, now he on prisoner side.look case. At the sane time ppl needed to be treated like human. Mr planning to go for election man, playing nice
why when persons stand for the right of others, persons want to bring them down,,,you are on the right track Tiyani….
DNO why do you provide a platform for people to show thier stupidity like the poster ‘antedote for fools’? The lawyer takes a position and he is disrespected and a platform is provided for jokers to strike at serious issues facing Dominica as a civilized society. I understand that the poster may be lesser educated and sophisticated but a forum should not be provided to him/her. Agree or disagree with the lawyer but keep it civil. ——–I suppose only in Dominica
you are so right “only in dominica”
Tiyani just want attention. He probably find the last story did not get him enough spotlight so he trying again. Yes eh. Mister like to be on news
I understand there may be mistreatment of prisoners at the state prison but there are also much more important issues to be dealt with. Behanzin’—What’s your mission this time? I’m starting to think you are looking for some sort of protection or you are just building your own little empire(Cartel). Gone are those days when Mr. Magistrate would treat criminals like criminals. Now all ‘CRIMISTS’singing:Tyanni-work 4 me!’
How does a guy who was over sentencing poor peoples children & had several appeals against his sentences won now become a pro prisoner advocate. This guy like media attention & I guess that he’s getting it.WHO U THINK U FOOLING BOY?
i agree totally. attention mr looking for.
hahahaha,,,hear stupidness
In his capacity as a magistrate, he had to function as one, thus he sentenced offenders according to what the law dictates, and this concern that he over sentenced poor people children is all baloney. Criminals are to be treated as criminals.
If you cannot do the time, do not commit the crime!
Now that he is an practicing attorney, his responsibility is to defend, protect and serve his clients effectively, even if they are alleged murders.
Your express opinion here is based on your Dominica mentality, and do not know how people function in such professions, so let me draw your attention to the late great attorney of Los Angeles, the man who represented O. J. Simpson many years ago in a murder trial and successfully defended him thus, he was found not guilty of the murder of his wife.
The lawyer in question was Johnny Cochran:
Johnny worked in the criminal court system in Los Angeles, for many years as an public prosecutor, and a very successful one at that. He caused thousands of criminals to be incarcerated perhaps getting life sentence.
Eventually, he quit the court system and went into private practice, where his main practice entailed the representation of criminals which were brutalized by the Los Angeles, I know of one case where a drug dealer offered him fifteen million dollars to defend him in a case, the fifteen million dollars was delivered to his office in sacks, he stated he and his staff took all night counting the money simply to see if that offender really had fifteen million dollars.
They found fifteen million and not one dollar more, He did not defend the criminal in this case anyway, he said he returned the money. and I believe you can read about that in one the books he wrote after successfully defending Simpson.
There is nothing wrong with what Behanzin is doing now, the man is a trained lawyer; first of all you have to be a lawyer before you can become a magistrate in the developed world, I thing in Dominica, if you are a loyal civil servant, they appoint people magistrate who never take one class in law ever.
Any wonder why some of those magistrate render so many bad decisions in the courts of Dominica?
“where his main practice entailed the representation of criminals which were brutalized by the Los Angeles”
‘That should read brutalized by Los Angeles police.’
Sorry; I have a bad habit of not editing my comments prior to submitting
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Are you aware that Johnny Cochran died some years ago? He had cancer of the brain. I read that it was brought on by constantly using the cellular phone. He had no choice since due to his law business. We are warned about not using it for a length of time as well as the cordless telephones.
Is the information on the sentence before the last one correct? I never heard of that. Magistrates should have a law degree. After obtaining it, they should do articling in a law office. If successful, they will be called to the bar. I met a few of them who were articling. Law study is extensive. The reason is, people’s life are in your hands when defending, prosecuting and sentencing them.
You seem to be one trying to fool people.Get off the gentleman’s back. A tough sentence does not mean that you hate the individual.The man did the crime he has to do the time. Get your gabbage out of the computer screen. Dominica is crying out loud for men like Behanzin. Maybe this poor and failed country would be better place today.
No media attention the man wants people to do what’s right and this is the thorn in your flesh.
LOVE YOU BEHANZIN.
On October 25, 2012, Behanzin visited the Stockfarm Prison to interact with his clients (inmates) who claimed that they have been beaten and threatened to have their meals poisoned
After this Behanzin gave a seven-day ultimatum to government to investigate the matter..
Now November 14, 2012“ Now 19 plus days later, Behanzin states, I am going to approach the international community myself and ask them to request the right from the state to visit and investigate the prisons, based on the allegations made,” he revealed in an interview with DNO.
Again prime example of “smoking screen-gun.
I am sorry put there are so many other worthy projects that need more international oversight in Dominica. Let us channel that expertise of energy in that direction
most of the criminals are thieves…convicted of non violent crimes ..if you ill treat them in the prison they will come out worst than they went in…
not forgetting those convicted of drug charges…..stop brutalizing these people…they afraid to gang up on the abusers and beat them to a pulp?
prisoners cant be beaten but children can be eaten with leather belts and whips ….no one should be beaten like an inanimate object, no one should be abused… I’d be tempted to torturer a child molester, a rapist and a murderer but the law says we cant …only children cab be abused and tortured
tyanni you are a gem brother! U are indeed ……
if we had just one more like you in Dominica…boy!! hmmmm
keep doing the good work you doing brother.. and may god always bless and walk beside you..
I think you just may usher in a new paradigm in Dominica…showing your peers in the legal system how they ought to help shape our society….
BIGGGGGG respect to you!
Which ‘Gem”??? Attention the man likes. This is simply not the way to handle this situation. These are simply “allegations” which as far as he says the Prison Superintendant said that he would investigate. With no conclusive outcome to any investigation this man wants to move to the international fora. I always thought that even in legal matters all domestic avenues need/have to be exausted before international avenues are embraced/explored. This man just loves ATTENTION…MY GODDD!!!
one question, aren’t I entitled to MY opinion???
IMHO it is people like you and the liberal use of the word “ALLEGATION” that is vigorously used to BANDAGE open and EXISTENT wounds which brings us to the precipice that we are….
lets continue to wait, till our prisons are substandard and in Violation of provisions in the Geneva convention. lets wait till some human rights are violated and we are BRANDED like the animals we love to act as….. will that be better ATTENTION for US and for DOMINICA…Behanzin actions and the pressure applied it WELL ON TIME…
and that is MY 2 CENTS
thank you very much
Its is beyond goood reason to read that The Minister Of Nation Security speaks in this tone and is openly brass face with his mannerism. First thing the minister should do is to launch an investigation in to the allegations so as to clear the air. He should immadiately call on the commisioner of prisons and those responsible to send a report forthwith. Such allegations of maltreatment at any prison cant be taken lightly at all. Sadly the minister of national security is forever in campaigning mode, therefore, he brushes off the issue as seeking attention. The Mninsiter of national security should seriously consider his postion, and at least try to understand the importance of such high office.
In times past, he has not been heard at all on national issues, here comes Mr Dauglas on the issue and he is on the attack. So many things to be addresed regarding national security and the minister has not said anything. Maybe he is to busy using his now found voice campaigning with the god of the party. Charlo must get serious. Only in Dominica, does ministers just malfunction and under perform, under achieve and the PM still reward them. They are still on the job not doing nothing as ministers. Its all around the place, so no wonder, Charlo can go ahead and say such things and the PM will not call him immediately and ask him to withdraw such irresponsible statements. Oh Charlo! Oh Charlo! What does your office require? As these other ministers, you are breathing and drinking and eating, failure to deliver and yet those who voted you all jus sit and take it.
Mr Dauglas is a goood man and a decent man, one suspect that he is not vex with anybody, and he is standing for what is right, in a place thats upside down, and where all is not well, he is made to look like a rebel. Mr Dauglas is like a voice in the wilderness shouting. He is the voice of the goood. Blesss up Mr Dauglas. Your Daddy and Rossie would be proud of Ya. You are hardcore. God will see ya through. They can take away your job but not your brian and integrity. Blessed Love Warrior! Blessed Love Champion! They are surely afraid of Ya.You have them vex and mad so they are speaking domino and whisky talk. Keep applyin pressure Bro! Time for them to stop insulting the intellegence of those the learned and intellegent.
Is there any gulity person in the house? Let”s see Ya hands up. Can charlo and keep their hands down, perhaps they all got egg on their face!
he use to put plp der now he mant to play like he care hmm
Even when he was sending them there, he loved them more than those who never sent them there. How many he sent there,were released and are now dead? Can you answer to the question?. He is a real man, and i love him… We need more like him on island.
Tyanni is just a “Bwet Deyba”!! All of a sudden he on the criminals side??!! When he was magistrate most of his rulings had to be overturned for excessive terms etc., now he singing another song??!! Mr suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder – thats all I can say…
Yo, this is a very significant suggestions. Why the change Tiyani.
You send man in prison far more than was allowable under law and all of a sudden you are advocate for them…WOW
I hope you can start a freedom project and help reduce some of the hefty sentences you imposed on the same ones you are defending
Wait a minute and the rest of you idiots on there. Do you all understand justice? Do you understand the corrupt legal system we have in Dominica? To say that when he was magistrate most of his rulings were overturned for excessive terms, is unfair to him. I do not know if you all are from the north or know anything about Dominica. As a person from the north, let me say to that criminals from the north had to think twice before they committed a crime because they all knew that Tiyani was not a joker and would not take sides and could not be bribbed. You guys are trying to paint the man as being incompetent, but let me remind you that it was that same Tiyani that convicted Bobbles of handling an unlicesed gun and in return, Bubbles and his gang sort to have it overturned. But you remember the judge who handled the apeal case told Bobbles that he should have been charged more and should consider himself blessed?
Since you accusing the man of being too harsh as a magistrate and as a result should all together become enemies of those he sentenced, then I wonder how you feel about God? Wasn’t he hard on Cain when he killed his brother Abel? Do you remeber the story in Genesis 3? Because of the harshness of the sentence he recieved from God, didn’t cain himself told God that the punishment was too harsh? In response, did God turn his back on Cain? No! In fact he said if anyone touches Cain they would pay severely. So because criminals recieved just reward for crimes that they committed does not mean that Tiyani should not seek to protect their right in prison!
Truer words have not been spoken….
I find your comment very disturbing. i dont want to judge you as i am not a judge but i get the impression that you were miseducated in some way. laws are meant to be upheld and also some of us will say laws are meant to be broken. what ever, the fact of the matter is Tyani is a magistrate he is what makes the law. whether or not his actions were questionable in passing judgement is not the case here. he is after the truth of the maltreatment or mistreatment of inmates which are in the care of the state, even prisoners have rights as human beings…. hello. so my suggestion is to assist tyani in his fight to stop this mistreatment of inmates at the Dominica prison. there are prisones of war , political prisoners and also prisoners who are imprisoned unjustly. stop negating and look at facts
Mr Saverin I want to look you in the eye and you tell me that you are not aware of the situation at the prison. You will know who I am by these words . Laws genewal.
doh worry, god give him a sign, he dosnt heed, but god not sleeping, dando dando, tanto tanto
I just love Tyanni Behanzin. Yes they Committed the crime and has to pay the time but that doesnt give prison officers etc the right to beat anybody when its uncalled for.
good it time that they look into this … thank god someone has step in to identify the abuse, in the dominica prison sysytem
Tyanni my parnter just forget about that eh. Is dem rascals that always causing trouble that getting roughed up so they maybe need it. Right now them man there not more important than the rest of the island which is trying to move forward. So we’ll come back to them when we done with more importnat issues. Investigating that thing now is just a waste of money.
DNO: “He said a competent international team should be invited to resolve the matter.”
Why can’t a “competent” Dominican team investigate? I thought we were all fighting for the promotion of more Dominican talents, ideas, and labour and less foreign? Whatever happened to the cry “let’s embrace our own?” Does this call pertain only to certain sectors, viz where Chinese labourers are concerned?
Or, could it be that Mr. Behanzin is simply bent on political mischief?
Its been a while since i have not commented, as to be honest, there were no interesting topics to comment upon. however i find certain comments are really out of place, this is for peeping tom. an independant means what it means, lets not get our own as thy may be either neutral, misguided influenced or coherced, remmeber in dominica every other person is a friend, cousine, sister, brother, tanty, uncle, nenen, paren, of the other and the list goes on. the reason for an independant body is they will not give a flying f..k about the prisoners affiliates but to get down to the brutal facts and convict the culprits of brutalisation of the inmates
Because our people although they are competent still lack credibility and professionalism due to the factt that they become blinded by political partisonship that they become bias and sympathetic tothe extent that they expel objeftivity from the decision making process. This results in emotionally clad decision that punishes the victim further to promote the agendas of the ruling party. Look at the USA a top general retires from high public office over an affair. Such a private matter and a personal weakness ask our current politicians to demonstrate such integrity and witnes what little would come from it. I hope this answers your question.
the country has never investigated any allegations at the state prison. Behanzin has a list of prisoners who have been abused and are still being abused. he has a list of individuals that are the subject of Police Brutality, so the only crebible option is to allow an impartial team to come in and investigate so that we can be sure and take whatever necessary actions to put things rights. The prison cannot investigate itself!