Vybz Kartel is reportedly enduring highly cruel conditions during his time in prison.
According to his lawyer, Isat Buchanan, the dancehall musician is being subjected to solitary confinement for up to 23 hours a day. This claim was presented by Buchanan on Thursday as part of his argument before the courts.
“The concerns are two-fold. The Department of Corrections does not have adequate facilities to care for persons with ill health while incarcerated as a guest of the state,” he said. “Mr. Palmer is under private treatment at his expense. It is within the knowledge of prison officials that his health is a concern.”
Additionally, Buchanan claims Kartel is on lockdown for majority of the day despite his poor health conditions.
“To be placed under a 23-hour lockdown as an appellant given the state of his health is most unfortunate,” the lawyer adds. “His medical condition requires access to clean air. Breathing is essential to life that is common sense. It is inhumane punishment [to] execute this form of punishment on Mr Palmer and others given the state of the prisons.”
That same day, “Vybz Kartel Muzik” Instagram page made a post echoing Buchanan’s statement and suggested Kartel is “in danger.”
“VYBZKARTEL LIFE IN DANGER. Since Tuesday the superintendent at tower street adult correctional centre, Superintendent Campbell has given strict orders to have Adidja Palmer aka Vybz Kartel under 23 hours lock down in a poorly ventilated cell despite his failing health at the tower street adult correctional centre as a form of apparent draconian style punishment,” the post read.
Kartel was convicted in 2014 for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams and received a life sentence with no chance of parole. Presently, he is in the process of appealing his conviction.
