Prisoner claims he is being victimized behind bars

Ralph Wellington Middleton

Thirty-seven year old Ralph Wellington Middleton, accused of attacking a security guard in mid-May, says his constitutional rights are being violated because he is being victimized behind bars.  On Tuesday, May twenty-first, Middleton appeared before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stewart, where he was read a single charge of Harm against forty-seven year old Jesus Angel Cruz.  The incident occurred while Cruz was posted in front of Belize Mills Ltd.  He was charged and granted bail in the sum of one thousand dollars, plus a surety of the same amount.  But, it has been thirty-six days since Middleton is on remand at the Belize Central Prison and when he appeared before Magistrate Adolph Lucas Jr. today, he told the court that he was informed during his arraignment that he would be granted a phone call to inform his relatives that he needs bail.  Middleton says he was never allowed a phone call and has been languishing in jail since.  During an emotional testimony he recounted his ordeal, stating that a fellow inmate broke a light inside their cell and, as a result, they have been sanctioned.  In an attempt to assist him in securing bail Magistrate Lucas offered Middleton a phone call.  Unfortunately, Middleton’s mother, whom he wanted to contact, only has a cell phone number which is prohibited by the court.  Only fixed number calls are allowed using the court phone.  At two o’clock this afternoon, Middleton remained in custody.