Family wants Corrections Commissioner fired

Vanessa’s family is calling for the Commission of Corrections Lieutenenant Colonel Sean Prendergast to be removed from his post.

The family said statements by Colonel Prendergast to the media on matters relating to Vanessa’s death reveal a wicked, unjust and unconscionable Commissioner of Corrections.

Vanessa’s uncle Javette Nixon is asking Colonel Prendergast to respect the teenager’s privacy and to desist from making public statements about Vanessa in an attempt to belittle her character.

He said the details on a case involving the teenager are of a confidential nature and so due care must be taken when communicating with the media.

He said the family wants a coroner’s inquest and a full and unbiased investigation to take place into the circumstances leading to her death and a chronological and detailed report provided to the family.

READ: Department of Corrections receives report on ward’s death

Nixon said the family has no faith in the correctional services to investigate their own officers, and believe attempts will be made to cover up the true nature of the incident that led to Vanessa’s death.

As such, he says an independent investigator should also be brought in to conduct a proper investigation.

Nixon is also calling for the Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting and Minister of Youth and Culture, Lisa Hanna to ensure that this situation is not covered up.

Calls to Hanna’s phone have gone unanswered.

Meanwhile, Nixon said his attorney will be meeting with Colonel Prendergast at 2 o’ clock this afternoon.

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