The report of the following incident was smuggled out of jail in a "bullet," a small piece of paper written in minute handwriting which can be rolled-up and concealed by a visitor. It was reported by political prisoner Miguel Sánchez Valiente from Combinado del Este prison
near Havana.
HAVANA, June 2 (María Elena Rodríguez, Cuba-Verdad) – A death-row inmate cut off both his hands in a desperate plea for mercy. He was awaiting execution in a punishment cell in Combinado del Este prison complex, in Havana.
Jorge Luis Rodríguez Mir, 32 years old, and sentenced to execution by firing squad, had just learned that death sentences were being applied to his fellow inmates.
On April 15, he cut his hands off with a sharp shiv, without anyone's help. No one saw him do it.
When the warden in charge of the punishment cells, Captain Castro, came walking down the cell block, Rodríguez kicked his hands toward him, saying: "Look, captain, the hands that committed the crime are not there any more. I cut them off. Spare my life."
He is now in the National Inmates Hospital, which is part of the Combinado del Este.
Rodríguez Mir killed a policeman in 1997 and was charged and sentenced to death.
Instances of self-mutilation and even suicide are not unusual amid the harsh conditions of these punishment cells of the Combinado del Este prison, where Rodríguez was confined. Inmates have to live in small cells with no light, no water and no hygiene, under constant physical and
psychological abuse.
A "bullet" written by political prisoner Miguel Sánchez Valiente, smuggled out of the Combinado del Este prison, tells
this story.
Versión original en español
CubaNet does not require sole rights from its contributors. We authorize the reproduction and distribution of this article as long as the source is credited.
|