The special investigative panel looking into the reported beatings of inmates at the Rafey Prison in Santiago, has confirmed the accuracy of the published accounts, and identified the responsible parties. The blue ribbon panel, headed by the police inspector general, Raul Almonte Lluberes, named Colonel Raymundo Hernandez Diplan, commandant of the prison, and Lieutenant Colonel Jose Rafael Guzman Beato, its executive officer. Six lower ranking officers also participated in the incident, which took place on Saturday, May 20, according to the panel’s report. The findings recommend that the two officers be relieved of their responsibilities and detained in their quarters pending trial, while the other six be arrested. If convicted, the accused could serve between six months and two years in jail, and loose their pension eligibility. The commission found evidence that six women inmates had been "brutally beaten" with "blunt objects." Reportedly, the women had requested permission to cool off in a downpour in the prison yard when the beating occurred.
