Guyana to move unstable prisoners after killing

Guyana is removing mentally ill prisoners from the general inmate population after a fatal stabbing at a maximum-security facility last month.

Twenty inmates will be housed in temporary accommodations until crews build a separate prison for them, Security Minister Clement Rohee said late Friday.

Former riot police officer Solomon Blackman was in jail awaiting trial on charges of fatally shooting two fellow officers six years ago when authorities say he stabbed to death inmate Dewan Singh. Other inmates then beat Blackman to death.

Blackman's trial had been repeatedly delayed because of his mental instability, police said. Prior to February's stabbing, however, he had been regularly taking medication and had appeared stable enough to share a cell with another prisoner, they said.

Rights groups have long criticized Guyana for housing unstable prisoners alongside the general inmate population.

Last year, leaders of the 15-member Caribbean Community trade bloc also criticized the South American country for running an overcrowded and unsanitary prison system.