On the fourth anniversary of the Armadale fire in which seven wards of the State were killed, The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre revisits the tragic night of May 22, 2009.

Here is an excerpt of Part 1 of the three-part series:
Four years ago when the smoke cleared at the Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre in St Ann, five girls in the care of the State lay dead and two were later pronounced dead at hospital.

A nation in shame and filled with burning questions had some answers provided at a Commission of Enquiry chaired by retired-Justice, Paul Harrison.

However, for 20-year-old Candine Anderson, four years later, the memories of the Armadale experience are as stinging as naked flames:

“Every time the word Armadale is said, you think of the fire; every time you smell smoke, you still think of the fire”

Many like her, including human right’s lobbyists, remember the incident as one that brought the role of the State in safeguarding the welfare of juveniles into sharp focus.

Lisa Solan, left Armadale a year before the fire.

Even sol, for her life at Armdale was a living hell.

“The severe punishment that they receive, ... being handcuffed to the fence at nights … these are things that persons on the outside don’t know about.”

Listen for Part 2 at noon on Power 106 FM

Audio: Former wards of Armadale; Candine and Lisa

AUDIO FILE ATTACHED


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