Fellow Canadien in Jail in D.R.

Hi; My name is Doug and I was talking to a girl on this board and she was asking me about working in the D.r..Anyway once our conversation got on, she told me she wanted to go down there to visit her brother in jail. He was arrested for possesion of drugs. So I told her that when I go to the D.R. I would bring stuff for the needy, and I thought to my wife why not bring this young fellow a care package. Now we don't condone what he done, but we all make mistakes,just most of us have never paid as dearly as he is. So when my wife and I were in the D.R. in March of this year we rented a motorbike and went to see him. We were in Boca Chica and he is in jail in Nayhayo, it's about a 2 hour drive(probably shorter if we knew the way) So we loaded up a care pakage and off we went. We found the jail,but found out we came on a non-visiting day. So we had to give the guards a coupla bucks and they brought him out. Matt was very surprised to see us(he did not know who we were) I told him we were talking to his sister and decided to bring him a few things. We brought him some clothes, a carton of ciggarettes, a newspaper, a penthouse mag, a hat, and gave him some money, so he could buy some nesscesities. We also took some pics of him and the jail and sourrounding area and e-mailed them to his family. His family are wonderful ppl and were ever so grateful. Matt has been there for 10 months and don't go to court until june. His family had problems with a lawyer from the D.R.(got ripped off)and are sending money every week for food and a bed and other essentials for Matt. They are trying to go and see him but his needs come first and they are not a rich family. So if any Canadien lives in that area and have it in thier heart to write him or drop in and see him he and his family would be ever so grateful, they are not pleading for ppl to do this, I just thought I would mention this on this board here and see what happens. Matt is a really nice kid who made a mistake(it wasn't a lot of drugs ...but any is way too much in the D.R.)So if there are any Canadiens that would like to make a young man very happy(or americans or anyone for that matter)Matt and his family would be very appreciative. His name is Matt Gomes and he is at the Jail in Nayhayo just outside (to the east) of Santo Domingo. Please trust me I am not trying to ruffle any feathers and we (Matt's family and my wife and I) realize what he did was wrong, but anything positive would make Matts days go by so much better. So I hope I don't get any responses(but I know I will)saying it serves him right, this we know, but it's just that he is so young and in a foriegn jail, it's a tough thing for a young lad to handle. Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this. Take Care!

What days are visiting days? I may be going around July, and I would like to visit. I think the world needs more people like you and your wife, Doug. Dominican jails are horrible places, I've heard horrible things, and this man may have many years ahead of him...hopefully his family stays behind him.

By the way, I forgot to mention, Matt is 18 yrs old

[Robert]

18 and banged up in a DR jail ain't no fun!

Fortunalty he has a family sending money. With out any outside assistance I can only imagine how hard it would be to survive inside.

Let's hope this is a message to those that play with drugs in the DR and the idiots that post questions about dope availability etc etc.

Rob.

The rules are simple Rob; It's not Tolerated what so ever; Yes it is sad, and your right he's lucky to have such a caring family.

Do you know if the Canadian Consulate is involved? If not, it would help. Not necessarily getting him out, but at least making sure he is treated OK inside.

I have a female friend who was also caught with drugs in DR. She is of Dominican descent but born in the states. Her quantity was large, however, she received after several months of waiting...3 years. If his quantity was small he probably won't do more than a year.

it is indeed sad.but it answers a question i was going to ask and that was are they getting a little soft on the drug problem because twice now after i told people that they would not be bothered like in jamica by pushers they both told me it was ridiculous the amount of times they were asked if they wanted to buy any.one day on sosua beach a walk from one end to the other three people asked them if they wanted to buy any.i'm glad they took my advise though i don't think they are into it anyway.

Yes Eddy they are, but as you pointed out there are there to make sure that his rights are not violated and also being observed....but you must remember...when in Rome...meaning his rights are not being violated..but he is not getting any special treatment either..and has to abide by and live by Dominican rules and conditions. So it's a lot different than a Canadien jail...it's a lot tougher..and not "easy time" as some ppl in our countrie go to jail for the winter on purpose...there you would never do that!

John,
They were probably asked if they wanted "Mamajuana" which are shavings of wood and herbs sold in bottles ready to add rum & honey (and sometimes a little wine) to, let to sit a few days or longer and it then makes a nice stiff appetizer served in shot glasses. Sometimes served in restaurants after/before a meal.
OFTEN (if not always) confused by foreigners (tourists) when they hear the name as to meaning marijuana.
Mamajuana is sold on the beach, supermarkets and many tourist shops throughout the country Marijuana is not.