By Dwayne Mcleod, Staff Reporter

Despite being locked behind bars, several 'Dons' have been exercising control over some of the inner-city communities in the Corporate Area.

Even though authorities are aware and have been desperately attempting to stop it, these incarcerated Dons have still been administrating the affairs of their communities. They give orders, make all final decisions and even command their 'army' during wartime,.

THE STAR recently spoke with residents from a volatile community in East Kingston about the continued control of their imprisoned leader.

The thugs from the community said their 'chief' has served three years of his life sentence received for criminal acts. "A life dem gi Mikeyhim eno ... 50 years. Him get ketch when him a forty-odd, suh yu know seh wi naw really look fi si him again inna di place, but until that a still him a di boss," Nattyexplained.

'Real boss'

Birdiewas Mikey's 'right-hand man' so he was left in charge prior to the Don's incarceration. However, the lines of his responsibilities and actions have been drawn. "A me a take care a tings ya now, but pon a honest levels still, anything weh di boss want, a dat mi haffi do cause a him a di toppis. A him still a run things," Birdie said.

Other thugs and residents said that while their "real boss" is locked away, his presence is strong and they still have to act on the orders from him.

Contrary to that East Kingston community, an area in Upper St. Andrew is solely controlled by the Don from prison without help of a 'right hand man'.

The men from the area told THE STAR that the Don wished not the leave anyone in charge when he left eight years ago as the factor of greed may arise.

"... Him nuh want when him come out him an nuh man haffi inna nuh war cause him get greedy and love di boss role, suh him jus sen all instructions directly to we," Ruel, a thug from the area said. "Plus him soon come a road anyway."

According to the residents, their Don being in prison does not greatly affect the community.

"Him a di boss from long time so a nuh nuttin if him deh a prison, a jus like him woulda deh a foreign an a represent same way," one resident said.

Both communities communicate with their Dons through regular telephone calls, letters, and even face-to-face visits. While anyone is free to visit the dons, only chosen individuals are given instructions for the communities.

The mental participation of these dons is also highly solicited for war orders. They decide when they are to war, when to be at peace, when to import other shottas and even what type of guns to utilise during combat.

"Mi done tell yuh seh a di boss set all orders eno, suh when war a gwaan a di same ting, nuttin nuh change," Birdie said. "a him plan all tactics eno, how much gun fi rise, which and which gun fi rise, which one fi lock, if wi fi send mi backup...a jus suh di ting set."

Major Reese, head of the island's Correctional Services told THE STAR that he is aware of individuals exercising their donship from prison. He also said that their main way of exercising such control was via cellphones.

"There is currently an on-going program established to retrieve cell phones," he said. Major Reese also explained that the cell phones are thrown over prison walls and smuggled in by members of staff.

There are currently two search teams of trained personnel on duty to conduct this problem, Major Reese said. This effort has brought about the apprehending of staff members as well as individuals from the general public.

Glenmore Hines, Assistant Commissioner of Police, also said that the issue is nothing new to the police. When asked about how the police can curb the situation, ACP Hines explained that the responsibility mostly lies with other authorities who are currently looking into the matter.

"Persons who are behind bars is no longer in custody of the police, however the relevant authorities are working to stomp out the occurrence," he said.