An inmate who is currently serving a 13-year sentence for murder, on Tuesday made shocking revelations in which he claimed that he usually buys cellular phones for $7,000 from prison officers.

Prisoner, Carl Brown who has an active Facebook page with daily updates, told the Commission of Inquiry investigating the March 3 unrest which left 17 prisoners dead, that the seizure of drugs and cell phones the day prior to the unrest had little to do with the riotous behavior of prisoners.

He said prison officials usually bring the phones and drugs into the jailhouse and it is bought by the prisoners.

He did not say how the inmates would manage to purchase the items, whether by cash or bartering, or divulged details with regards to the actual transactions or the officials involved.

Brown said over the eight years he has been in the facility he has been in possession of seven cellular phones.

“I pay $7000 to bring in a phone, to get a proper phone… this is my 7th phone since in prison. As soon as a phone is taken away, you pay and get it back,” he added.

Brown admitted to having an active Facebook profile and a cellular phone.

Just before he headed to the Commission to give testimony this morning, Brown posted a quote on his page, reminding that “Everyone has a friend during each stage of life, but only lucky ones have the same friend in all stages of life”.

The murder convict, who escaped from prison in the past and was recaptured, insisted that the riot was not because of the seizure of cell phones and marijuana.

He said it stemmed from the ill treatment of prisoners and the lengthy times prisoners had to wait for sentencing.

Brown also claimed that the use of tear smoke by the prison officials may have escalated the fire lit by prisoners.

Prisoner Carl Brown on a cellphone inside the Camp Street jail.

He claimed that fires were usually lit by prisoners as a means of protest and he also told the Commission that help was only rendered when the officers started to “smell human flesh” burning.

He said the inmates were unable to help themselves because the tear gas had the place dark.

Brown clashed with Prison Attorney Selwyn Pieters during his cross examination, refusing to answer questions and telling him “stop with me, you mess with a lot of people, stop with me.”

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