Convicted Murderer William ‘Danny’ Mason Claims ‘Cruel’ Prison Conditions

Did you know that convicted murderer William ‘Danny’ Mason has a DVD player in his jail cell? In fact, according to the Attorney General’s ministry, Mason’s cell includes amenities such as “its own toilet and its own shower, with running water… a standing fan, a writing table, a bed, and a DVD player with audio to watch movies.” This was a response to Mason’s attorney, Peter Taylor.

Taylor wrote to Virgilio Murillo, the CEO of the Belize Central Prison, claiming his client has been confined to a cell for 23 hours a day for the past eight years, with only one hour for recreation. Taylor described the conditions as “cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment,” adding that Mason’s cell lacks proper lighting, making reading and writing difficult, and he is denied interaction with other inmates and visitors. Taylor also requested Mason’s recreation time be increased from one hour to three.

The ministry rejected the request, stating that Mason’s cell “is more than adequate for a single person.” It added that Mason is housed in Tango 10, a high-security area for dangerous prisoners, and is allowed one hour of recreation in line with prison rules.

Mason, along with Ernest Castillo, Ashton Vanegas, and brothers Keiron and Terrence Fernandez, were convicted in 2019 for the murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas in 2016. Pastor Lucas’ burnt remains were found on Mason’s ranch, with his head discovered in a bucket inside a vehicle occupied by Mason and his co-defendants. The five men were sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years.