The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE family of a man who died less than three months after returning to prison has accused correctional officials of denying him proper medication and medical care despite assurances to the court that his serious health conditions could be managed in custody.

Thomas Jean-Baptiste, who suffered from diabetes, morbid obesity and a history of potentially life-threatening blood clots, died on October 4 after spending about two weeks in hospital.

His sister, Alicia Jean Baptiste, told The Tribune that he had repeatedly complained about inadequate medical care and food after the Court of Appeal revoked his medical bail in July. “He was sick or whatever, but he wasn't sick to the point of dying,” she said.

Asked whether prison officials had done everything reasonably possible to protect her brother's life, Ms Jean Baptiste said: “Absolutely not, they made no efforts, period." “The court order did not matter. It did not stand. They took no care, no concern.”

In July, the Court of Appeal rejected Mr Jean-Baptiste's challenge to his prison sentences, finding that his medical conditions did not justify reducing his terms or replacing them with a non-custodial sentence.

The court revoked his bail and ordered him to return to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services to serve the remainder of his concurrent sentences of three years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and two years for possession of ammunition.

During the appeal, consultant urologist Dr Robin Roberts warned that Mr Jean-Baptiste's diabetes, morbid obesity and history of multiple pulmonary emboli placed him at high risk of serious complications. He required lifelong anticoagulant medication.

Dr Roberts warned that prison conditions could increase his risk of serious infection, including potentially fatal Fournier's gangrene, and expressed concern about another pulmonary embolism.

However, the Court of Appeal placed greater weight on the assessment of prison physician Dr Scavella, who said the institution could manage his illnesses and transfer him to Princess Margaret Hospital if specialised treatment became necessary.

Dr Scavella recommended that Mr Jean-Baptiste be provided with a bed, daily exercise and access to bathing and toilet facilities.

Ms Jean Baptiste alleged that her brother was supposed to be housed in the prison infirmary but instead spent about a month in intake before being moved to another section of the institution.

She claimed the area had no air conditioning, frequently lost electricity and was far from the infirmary. She also alleged that he was not consistently given medication he had purchased before returning to custody.

“One of his medications alone was like almost like $300 just for one,” she said.

She questioned why prison officials would fail to administer medication he had obtained himself after assuring the court that his medical needs could be managed.

Ms Jean Baptiste also alleged that her brother frequently complained about prison food, sometimes barely eating and relying on meals purchased by relatives.

She said he was initially taken to hospital after complaining of leg pain and was found to have blood clots, but was returned to prison either that night or the following morning.

Mr Jean-Baptiste later complained that prison officials were not checking on him, although his family initially believed he was expressing frustration with prison life rather than signalling a medical crisis.

He was subsequently rushed to hospital again, but relatives were not immediately informed.

Ms Jean Baptiste said her mother travelled to New Providence to visit him. By then, his condition had deteriorated significantly.

She said that after two medical episodes, doctors discussed discharging him despite his inability to speak or move one side of his body.

The family was also told that officials were concerned about returning him to the prison infirmary because it was on the second floor and his size would make transporting him upstairs difficult.

Ms Jean Baptiste said her brother cried at the prospect of returning to prison.

She said the family would have needed further legal proceedings to secure his release, but he died before they could pursue that option.

“I feel like the neglect began from the courthouse,” she said. “Everybody know the prison within itself is not a humane place to be. It's not a clean place to be.”

Mr Jean-Baptiste was convicted on November 10, 2025, after police found a firearm containing five rounds of ammunition in his vehicle during an April 2023 traffic stop.

He was granted medical bail in December 2025 but returned to prison after losing his sentence appeal in July.

The Court of Appeal ruled that his medical conditions had to be weighed against the seriousness of his offences and the need for punishment and deterrence. It noted that he could seek relief through the Prerogative of Mercy if prison authorities became unable to provide adequate care.

Ms Jean Baptiste said her brother's death had devastated his family, including his three children. She described him as an outgoing man known through his work as a boat captain.

“Why was he being neglected? Why was he not being provided with the medications that he took for himself to stay in good health, as his body depended on those medications every day," she said.

“They don't have to provide the bare minimum just because they're inmates, or be neglectful just because they're inmates,” she said.

Ms Jean Baptiste called for accountability and an investigation into her brother's treatment, although she could not confirm whether the family intended to pursue legal action.