Kartel's transfer a 'win win'? Earnings from music could go toward victim's family, prison rehab programme

Some people believe that Vybz Kartel may soon find that the fruits of his artistic talent will be used to bolster the prison system's rehabilitation programme, and perhaps be used to make restitution to the family of slain dancer Clive "Lizard" Williams.


"Over at Tower Street, there is a studio, and better facilities that the deejay can use, and at least the system can monitor what he is putting out in terms of music. Kartel will earn no money from these songs and the money can go towards the rehab programme. The transfer is a win-win for Vybz Kartel, at Horizon Remand, he had to be using some devices that were not ideal, but at Tower Street, he would have a studio, and at Horizon, he was on lock down 23 hours out of the day, while at Tower Street, he can walk the prison yard," a reliable source told Loop News.
The Tower Street prison, popularly known as GP, is fitted with a fully operational recording studio and a low frequency radio station FREE FM, which broadcasts in the precincts of the prison.

The deejay's transfer coincides with mounting concerns that Kartel was apparently recording songs while incarcerated at Horizon Adult Remand Centre, an activity that suggested that his incarceration was a farce, and a slap in the face of the system. 

At the time of Kartel's sentencing in 2011, Justice Lennox Campbell referred to the case of singer Jah Cure (real name Sycatore Alcock), who recorded three albums while incarcerated at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, and wondered if, in the event that Vybz Kartel recorded music while he served his sentence, any proceeds made from those songs should go to Williams' estate.

"In a previous matter, when a person was convicted who had some artistic talent certain things were done. It needs to be found out whether in fact it was open to the court for any of those proceeds gained could go to repairing any of the damage to the relatives of the deceased," Justice Campbell said at the time.

In the case of Jah Cure, the proceeds of his songs were used to bolster the rehabilitation programme and he earned no money.

The prison authorities would have to ultimately make the decision for the victim's family to be compensated from any recording released by the artiste while imprisoned. And this move may well be in the direction of compensating Williams' family and boosting the rehab programme.
In the meantime, the Ministry of National Security has requested a report from prison authorities outlining their reasons for transferring the entertainer to the Tower Street facility. Commissioner of Corrections Ina Hunter could not be reached for comment.

Kartel's attorney, Tom Tavares Finson confirmed that Kartel was transferred but said he does not know why.


"Call the prison authorities," he said bluntly.