A coroner’s inquest into the death of 23-year-old Chinlee Robinson has unveiled troubling evidence regarding prison conditions and procedures at His Majesty’s Prison. Robinson died on January 24th, mere hours after being granted bail, with medical examinations indicating anoxia, neck trauma, and cardiac failure as contributing factors.
The proceedings included compelling testimony from a 15-year-old detainee who reported witnessing Robinson return from court visibly distressed about a bail-related matter. The juvenile witness further described hearing a brief scream followed by unusual silence on the night of Robinson’s death. His account also raised serious concerns about institutional practices, noting that inmates were routinely locked in their cells by mid-afternoon and that overnight welfare checks occurred infrequently.
The case remains shrouded in controversy, with conflicting interpretations of the evidence. Family attorney Wendel Alexander has formally requested a homicide investigation, challenging previous police suggestions that natural causes might explain the death. Prison Superintendent Trevor Pennyfeather has acknowledged that strangulation may have been involved, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.
The judicial inquiry continues as authorities seek to establish the precise circumstances surrounding this tragic incident, which has raised significant questions about inmate safety and institutional accountability within the correctional system.