Gov’t, Law enforcement officers on top of Camp St. Fire situation

DPI, Monday, July 10, 2017

Following the massive fire which affected the Georgetown prisons, President David Granger is urgings citizens to practice safety and precautionary measures as the country is still coming to grips with the massive fire that has gutted the Camp Street prison.

The President assured that law enforcement officers are working along with joint services to recapture those who have escaped custody.

The President added, “Well the government is acting quickly to ensure that the prisoners are caught but more important, that those prisoners who were previously accommodated at the Georgetown prison are kept in a secure place and this is our task overnight on this Sunday night and by Monday morning they will be in secure accommodation so Guyanese will be assured that there are not going to be prisoners roaming all about the city or the countryside.”

Yesterday afternoon at approximately 16:45 hours, members of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defense Force and the Guyana Fire Service responded reports of prison unrest and fire at the Camp Street Prison.

With such information coming to the government, the National Security Committee was alerted. Minister of Public Security, Minister of Legal Affairs and other joint services heads met with President David Granger, providing updates with regards to first responses and effects of the fires at the Georgetown Prison.

“Troops were deployed from the Guyana Defense force, special police were deployed from the Guyana Police Force, the fire service was deployed and of course the prison service responded immediately so there was immediate response from all four of those services.” President Granger explained.

The President said that it is hoped that within the next 24-36 hours all prisoners formerly held at the Georgetown Prison will be relocated. These prisons include The Lusignan Prison, Timehri Prison and the Mazaruni Prison.