Prisoner committed to stand trial for murder found hanging in Lusignan Prison

A prisoner committed to stand trial for murder was found hanging in the washroom of a Lusignan Prison building this afternoon, the Guyana Prison Service said.

Feroze Bhagwandin, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, was discovered unresponsive by prison officers at around 14:15 hrs in Building Three, with a clothesline rope tied around his neck.

According to a release, prison staff raised an alarm and rendered immediate assistance. Medical officers were summoned and confirmed Bhagwandin was unresponsive. He was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Baksh.

Authorities said no marks of violence were found on the body.

According to the Officer-in-Charge at Lusignan Prison, Bhagwandin underwent a medical assessment upon his admission on Aug. 8, 2022, and was not deemed at risk of self-harm or suicide. “There were no concerns for his welfare,” the officer noted.

An investigation has been launched by the police and prison service. A post-mortem examination is expected next week to determine the cause of death.

The inmate’s sister-in-law has been notified, and the prison’s Inmates’ Welfare Department will offer support to the family.