Prison officials have confiscated five cellular phones in 10 months from convicted murderer Veron Primus, who had escaped prison twice while on remand.
In fact, a cellular phone was retrieved from Primus’ cell at His Majesty’s Prison in Kingstown as recently as last month, Superintendent of Prisons Dwayne Bailey has told the High Court.
He, however, said that a video of Primus performing magic tricks that surfaced last month was not a recent recording.
Bailey disclosed the information on July 31 as he represented the prison status report at the special sitting of the High Court to mark the end of the assizes.
The sitting was presided over by Justices Brian Cottle and Rickie Burnett.
At the end of Bailey’s presentation, Assistant Director of Public Prosecution Karim Nelson said:
“A video surfaced recently with a known prisoner performing what appears to be magic tricks. Could you tell us whether you have seen this video and if so if anything was done?”
Bailey said he had seen the video.
“That video is an old video but the conversation was recent,” he said, referring to the video that generated some discussion after it began making the rounds on social media last month.
Responding to a question from lawyer Carl Williams, Bailey said he could not tell at that moment how many searches were conducted at the prison this year, but added that searches are conducted daily.
Bailey said that of concern to prison authorities is that ex-inmates, inmates and other people continue to find creative means of introducing prohibited items such as drugs into HMP and the Belle Isle Correctional Facility.
Bailey said that with the implementation of technology and increased staff, prison authorities would see a reduction in breaches at the prisons.
On Dec. 16, 2022, Justice Cottle sentenced Primus, then 35, to 34 years in prison for the November 2015 murder of real estate agent, Sharleen Greaves, 33.
Primus, who is wanted in the United States for murder, escaped from His Majesty’s Prisons twice in just over a year between 2019 and 2020.
On the first occasion, he escaped alone and turned himself in a day later. On the second occasion, he escaped along with Ulric Hanson, another murder accused, who police shot and injured during their apprehension.
Primus had been on remand at the prison since his arrest and charge in April 2016.
After Primus’ sentencing on Dec. 16, 2022, Nelson told iWitness News that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution has discussed with prison authorities the matter of ensuring that Primus does not escape a third time.