Prison service closer to full correctional institution, says Rohee

-urges new mindset among officers

Prison officers and ranks must change their mindsets about the functions of Guyana Prison Service, in keeping with its new aims as a correctional and training facility, according to Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, who says the reform process is not restricted to policies and practices.

Rohee shared this view with officers, ranks and other stakeholders at the annual retreat with the Guyana Prison Service held at the Grand Coastal Hotel last week, under the theme ‘Moving from retribution to correction.’

The Guyana Correctional Services? Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee says the Guyana Prison Service has made advances towards becoming a “full-fledged” correctional institution and it may be time for a name change.

The Home Affairs Ministry is now implementing steps it had taken to reform the prison service operations and ranks and officers must be re-oriented to embrace this new mode, he said. “It is our expectation that at the conclusion of this meeting you all will have a better appreciation of your role and function, in the Guyana Prison Service,” he explained.

The prison service is now tasked with preparing its inmate population for reintegration into society. As a result, the administration has adopted a policy of prisoners’ reform through the provision of training so that at the end of their sentences, they can return to society with income-generating skills, improved literacy skills or other academic qualification. They are also inducted in behaviour modification programmes.

Over the past four years, Rohee said, government has consistently allocated sums for this exercise and for the training of prison officers. In 2009 $14,407,000 was allocated, followed by $16, 054,000 in 2010; $21,000,000 in 2011 and $22, 680, 000 this year. Resources are also provided for the recruitment of additional staff in both the custodial and corrections specialists fields.

The ministry has made significant progress in implementing this policy, Rohee said, noting that it took hard work and dedication from the directorate, officers and ranks.

He also recognized contributions by the various boards and committees attached to the prison service, particularly the civilian membership “whose perspectives on issues create the balance that is needed to progress.”

“I am aware that the Sentence Management Board, in particular, in collaboration with the Prisons Directorate, is pursuing a number of initiatives that are aimed at bringing about systemic changes, and producing certain tangible benefits for prisoners,” he said.

This Board is also credited with bringing about the Entry and Exit Polls which are important tools in the management of prisoners’ sentences. Notwithstanding, more work is still to be done, “which will require a redoubling of our effort.”

New service
emerging

The need for reform of the prison service as a whole has not escaped the government’s attention, Rohee said, while recalling that he had previously noted that it has always viewed prison reform as an attempt to improve conditions inside prisons and, ultimately create a more effective system.

He recalled that at the 2010 retreat he had challenged the prison service to advance its programme toward becoming a full-fledged correctional facility. “I am happy to say that with the progress that has been made, we are at a stage where a change in the name of the Guyana Prison Service to that of the ‘Guyana Correctional Services’ may be appropriate,” he said, adding that he would invite opinions on this matter.

Further, he said that the ministry is concerned about its officers excelling at their jobs and impact the society as an arm of the criminal justice system and he encouraged the meeting “to embrace the new Guyana Prison Service that is emerging.”

Over the years, focus has been on the maintenance and rehabilitation of the physical infrastructure of the prisons. There has also been an increased use of technology and greater attention has been given to the welfare of staff and inmates, including more access to medical care. A new dorm was also built at the Georgetown Prison, in keeping with prison reform policy.

The minister also noted that a significant project aimed at reviewing and compiling the Prison Standing Orders has been ongoing. The Committee that is tasked with this assignment is headed by Cecil Kilkenny, the immediate past Director of Prisons. “I see this project as an important component of prison reform, as it targets systems, policies and practices,” he said.

According to Rohee reform is not restricted to physicality or systems, policies and practices. “We need to adjust the way we think, as well. We need to think corrections, training, and rehabilitation, and embrace these concepts,” he said, adding that the ministry views these functions to be just as important as the custodial function of the organization. “That is the level of importance we attach to the new dispensation we are now in. We must keep the prisoners secure, but we must also correct, train, and rehabilitate them in preparation for reintegration into society,” he implored.

In addressing reports about corrupt practices by prison officials, Rohee said the ministry is concerned about the high level of absenteeism, particularly among junior ranks who are said to abuse the sick leave concession.

He also noted reports about pilfering from the prisoners’ dietary supplies, the trafficking of prohibited articles such as cell phones by officers, including cell phones, reports about female ranks who flout the official uniform code, and the inflation of accounts. He reminded the ranks that they serve in a disciplined origination and such behaviours will not be tolerated.