The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) says it has opened a probe into the circumstances that led to dancehall entertainer Tommy Lee Sparta receiving treatment at hospital after an alleged altercation with officers at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre.

Preliminary reports from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) yesterday (February 21) indicate that the artiste, born Leroy Russell Junior, was injured after “hurling breakfast” into the face of the acting superintendent on duty.

It is alleged that Russell was repeatedly asked to go back to his cell when breakfast was rationed, refused to comply and the resulting altercation led to the Blessings entertainer and the team of officers tasked with subduing him receiving injuries.

Tommy Lee Sparta was this morning still being treated at the Kingston Public Hospital, under police guard.

INDECOM, in its statement on Tuesday, said it had received a report from the DCS about the alleged assault involving Tommy Lee Sparta and “at least one correctional officer”.

Acknowledging the “high public interest” surrounding the incident, INDECOM assured that it would provide an update at the “appropriate time”.

“The immediate investigative steps to be conducted by INDECOM Investigators are:

• Interview the complainant (Leroy Russell);
• Collection of medical entries and reports to appreciate the extent of the injuries received by both parties (inmate and correctional officer);
• Conduct witness canvassing at TSACC to ascertain the circumstances that resulted in the injury to both parties;
• Ascertain the number of correctional officers that were involved in the incident;
• Collection of evidentiary material; and
• Serve Section 21 Notices, pursuant to the INDECOM Act, to any concerned officer (correctional officer) for the submission of a statement in relation to the incident,” INDECOM advised.