By Gemma Handy
The death of a prison inmate after an apparent altercation with a prison guard that left him paralysed was due to a blood clot linked to his injuries.
The death certificate for Ricknaldo Isaac – who was just 27 when he passed away in May – cites pulmonary embolism due to quadriplegia as the main cause.
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that blocks the flow of blood to an artery in the lung.
The death certificate – dated July 24 and which Observer has seen – says Isaac’s quadriplegic state was due to spinal cord compression on account of a fracture to the neck.
It also alludes to the fact that Isaac suffered from epilepsy – which had previously been suggested as a possible cause of death – but says while “seizure disorder” may have contributed to his demise, it did not cause it.
Isaac, from Bendals, had been serving a one-year sentence for malicious damage when the incident occurred. He was left paralysed after a guard allegedly slammed him to the ground causing severe spinal injuries. He died some days later in hospital where he was being treated.
Whether the incident inside the walls of the prison – or how he was cared for subsequently – is to blame for Isaac’s death is unclear and a probe to determine the facts is underway.
Police spokesman Inspector Frankie Thomas told Observer the matter remains under investigation.
“The inquest and the autopsy were completed. The police are interviewing other persons surrounding the incident,” he said.
The prison guard in question has since been transferred out of the penal institution, apparently in line with a request he’d made two years ago.
Prison boss Colonel Trevor Pennyfeather told Observer yesterday that the authorities would pay for Isaac’s burial and that he was due to meet with the deceased’s father Aaron Isaac later on Friday to give him further details.
Whether the financial assistance will be of any comfort to Ricknaldo Isaac’s devastated dad remains to be seen. But at least his wish of giving his son a proper funeral at the Seventh Day Adventist Church looks set to be granted.
