Beefing up security – scanners for several prisons

– expected to be installed this year

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, April 4, 2019

The Ministry of Public Security will be beefing up security at several prisons across the country. This is an effort to stop contraband from entering the prisons, an issue the Guyana Prison Sservice has been battling with for several years.

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan made this disclosure during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI). The minister said that he recognises that often when searches are conducted, large quantities of marijuana, improvised weapons, lighters among other illicit items are found. He said steps have already been taken to curb such acts.

“We are in the process of acquiring scanners that will ensure that people passing through with it [contraband] or putting it in their food and even the prison officers themselves, they too can get caught in that.”

The scanners are high-tech and will be able to detect all hidden objects. They have already been ordered are expected to be placed at the Camp Street and New Amsterdam prisons. They are expected to be installed by the end of the year.

Nevertheless, the minister pointed out that no system is perfect. He said that just recently, ministers from other Caribbean countries informed him that they too are experiencing the same problem.

While acknowledging some officers play a role in getting the items into the prisons, Minister Ramjattan is also calling on family members to desist from attempting to carry out the illegal act.

“It is not as if you can be 100 per cent foolproof in these matters, but we are trying to get there. One big deterrent is better infrastructure, the technology and of course quality personnel ensuring that it does not happen.”

Isaiah Braithwaite.

Images: Marceano Narine.