As of the 30th September 2008, there were 1058 persons incarcerated in the Georgetown Prison, members of the National Assembly were informed yesterday by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

Of these 1058 persons, 639 of these were prisoners who were awaiting trial in the Magistrate’s or High Court.

Human rights activists have argued consistently that the Camp Street jail is overcrowded as it was built to house around 800.

This information was provided by the Minister in a written response to a question from PNCR-1G MP Deborah Backer. The PNCR-1G MP had asked how many prisoners were inmates of the Georgetown Prison at the end of each month from January to September of this year. Additionally she asked how many of these persons were on remand on these dates.

According to the Minister, the figure at the end of September represents a decrease in prisoners as of the 31st January, 2008. The data provided shows that 1203 persons were incarcerated on this date, which includes 714 persons who were on remand awaiting trial.

The data revealed that at the end of February, March and April there were 1210, 1152 and 1157 prisoners respectively.  For these months 718, 706 and 694 of these prisoners were on remand.

Meanwhile at the end of the months of May, June, July and August 673, 670, 665 and 679 were on remand awaiting trial in either the Magistrate’s or High Court.

During this period from May to August 1099, 1091, 1099 and 1127 persons respectively were inmates at the Georgetown Prisons.