Kartel on the move

November 17, 2016 in Regional

vybz-kartel-1Imprisoned deejay Vybz Kartel has been transferred from the Horizon Adult Remand Centre on Spanish Town Road and placed at the maximum security Tower Street Adult Correctional Facility in Kingston.

His lawyer Tom Tavares-Finson confirmed the move which took place on Tuesday, but could not give a reason.

“I know of it. But I haven’t been officially informed,” Tavares-Finson told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“Once he’s in the prison system, the authorities don’t have to tell us when they’re moving him. I’ll visit him on the weekend,” he continued.

Opened in 2002, the Horizon Adult Remand Centre has a capacity of 1,026 inmates. Formerly the General Penitentiary, the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre was built to accommodate 650 inmates but has housed more than 1,700 on occasion. Efforts to contact commissioner of corrections, Ina Hunter, for a comment were unsuccessful.

Vybz Kartel (given name Adidja Palmer) is currently serving a life sentence for his involvement in the August 2011 murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

Sentenced in April 2014, he will be eligible for parole after 35 years. Vybz Kartel has been housed at Horizon since his conviction.

His co-accused, Shawn “Shawn Storm” Campbell and Kahira Jones, are to serve 25 years before they are eligible for parole, while Andre St John will do 30 years before considered for parole.

Despite his incarceration in September 2011, Kartel’s music continues to be in demand. Allegations are that the flamboyant artiste still records, which has been denied by several producers who have recently released his songs.

He has had more than 25 number one songs since his imprisonment. They include Fever, Keystone, Anabella, Half Way Tree and Western Union.