Inmates to be released in light of COVID-19 pandemic

—to address overcrowding

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels has disclosed that inmates have begun to be released to address overcrowding in the prisons in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Director made the disclosure during a recent press conference held to address the unrest at the Lusignan Prison that led to a fire and destruction of the building.

Among those being released are persons who have served one-third of their sentences and those who have been granted remission due to good behaviour.

“As it relates to persons who were granted release specifically in light of COVID, those are persons who have been granted remission; persons who have been granted a reduction in bail and were able to post said bail, and those who have been placed on self-bail,” Samuels stated.

According to Samuels any new admissions to the prisons will be subjected to the necessary health precautions that have been implemented.

“All persons who are admitted to the prison are subjected to 14 days quarantine. During that period, they are examined by the personnel in the prison’s medical department. Only when they have been cleared are then then placed into the general population,” the Director explained that

Samuels added that to date the prisons remain COVID- free and assured that all the penitentiaries will continue to follow health measures to maintain a safe environment.