Family Takes Legal Action Over Prison Death

A wrongful death claim has been filed against the government by the family of Chinlee Robinson, who died in custody at His Majesty’s Prison last year under circumstances that continue to raise serious questions.

The family filed the claim with the Attorney General’s office, alleging negligence on the part of prison and police officials in the death of the 23-year-old.

The case has exposed stark divisions among authorities about what happened to Robinson, who was discovered dead on January 24, 2025 – mere hours after a court granted him bail on charges of stealing a cellular phone.

According to testimony heard at the Coroner’s Inquest that began last week, a fellow inmate – a 15-year-old boy – reported hearing a brief, one-second scream late on the night of January 23. The witness described the sound as seeming both close and distant before silence fell over the facility.

The teenage inmate painted a grim picture of life inside the prison, telling the court that overnight supervision consisted of a single welfare check and that inmates remained locked in cells from mid-afternoon onwards.

Medical evidence presented to the inquest shows Robinson died from oxygen deprivation, neck trauma and heart failure. His brother testified that Robinson was an active footballer with no known health problems – a fact that has only deepened the family’s suspicions about the official account of events.

The deceased had spent approximately five weeks in detention and had been visibly distressed earlier on January 23 after learning his release was delayed due to passport issues, according to witness statements.

Attorney Wendel Alexander, representing the Robinson family, is pushing for authorities to launch a full homicide investigation – a call that has met with resistance from police leadership.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifton Cabral maintains that investigators found no evidence of foul play and suggested Robinson may have succumbed to natural causes.

However, Superintendent of Prisons Colonel Trevor Pennyfeather has publicly stated his belief that strangulation likely caused the death.

The legal claim seeks compensation across several categories, including general and punitive damages, costs, and interest accruing from the date the claim was served.