Security measures to be improved at prisons

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) will implement stronger measures and heightened security to prevent contraband items from entering the various prisons across the country.

During a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot stated that this is in keeping with the developmental plans for the prison system.

The director said the GPS will be looking to install additional scanners, especially detailed systems that can detect and locate forbidden objects concealed under a person’s clothing.

Additionally, the GPS is also considering the implementation of canine and drone patrols.

‘There will be no excuse for contraband entering the prison because physical infrastructure itself will create that atmosphere where we will be having all the necessary security checks and security layers in place to prevent and to reduce contrabands,”Elliot stated.

He stated that indicators such as prison escapes, as well as training and rehabilitation of prisoners are used to assess the work of the organisation, and there have been noticeable improvements.

Last year, prisoners benefited from several training programmes in various skilled areas, providing them with the necessary coping skills to effectively manage themselves while in prison and preventing reoffending.

‘Because of these training programmes offered to them we would have seen a significant reduction in prisoner-to-prisoner violence in the institution,”theprisons director disclosed.  

He noted too that the prison service is seeking to recruit qualified persons who will remain on the job.

Addressing challenges from a policy perspective, Elliott said the organisation is working to improve conditions of service and job satisfaction by providing more opportunities for training, as well as enhancing salaries and allowances.

The GPS recently concluded its Annual Officers Conference where several topics were discussed, including reviewing the challenges of case studies, looking at best practices, and addressing those challenges.