The use of alternative correction methods for first time offenders, liberal parole and an increase in judicial case disposal are among a series of measures to be implemented by government, which should see a reduction in the current prison population, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee announced yesterday.
The matter of overcrowding is one of the greatest challenges for prisons administrations, not only in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean but further afield. It was one of the sore points raised in the minister’s address to members of the Association of Caribbean Heads of Corrections and Prison Services (CHCPS) gathered here for the 7th Annual Conference being held at the Regency Hotel Conference Room. The meeting will conclude on Friday.
The heads of the penal institutions will deliberate on a series of matters challenging the establishment, the issue of training for prison staff, and the procurement and mobilization of resources to ensure proper staff safety and inmate welfare, among other important issues. The issue of prisoner rehabilitation also forms a large part of discussions in keeping with the conference’s theme, ‘From Punishment to Corrections’.
Rohee, in his presentation on the issue of overcrowding, told the gathering that, some prisons in the United States had taken the initiative to release a few of a certain class of inmates as a means to reducing the prison population. He noted that breaches in security, the fast spread of communicable diseases, high level of stress among the prison population as well as difficulties in effective management by prison administration were some of the results of overcrowding.
On the other hand, Rohee said, aggressive law enforcement, an inefficient justice system and lack of resources to build more spacious facilities contributed to overcrowding.
Guyana has five prison facilities: New Amsterdam, Georgetown, Mazaruni, Lusignan and Timehri. Of these, the Georgetown and New Amsterdam prisons are overcrowded. Rohee told the gathering that this was mainly because of the slow rate of disposal of appellant cases, the large number of persons on remand and those awaiting trial.
He said consideration would be given to increased judicial case disposal. The use of alternative disciplinary measures for first-time offenders was also another measure being looked at, he said. A more liberal parole system was also singled out as a means of dealing with the long- standing overcrowding issue.
Rohee also referred to a recent case in which Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang had granted bail to a murder accused, which he said pointed to more liberal decision making in the courts, but of course triggered liberal debate.
He cited a building programme ongoing at the New Amsterdam prison, which would better accommodate staff and added that a significant portion of the inmates at New Amsterdam would be transferred to the Mazaruni institution to ease congestion.
Rehabilitation
Touching on the issue of prisoner rehabilitation, Rohee acknowledged that this was a socially desirable and not only allowed able-bodied persons to join in the development of the country, but generally benefited the entire society. He said the cost of effective prisoner rehabilitation could be socially justified but noted that financial and technical assistance was essential and he called on the donor community to assist.
“Financial and technical assistance must be forthcoming without strings attached,” he said.
He pointed to the Guyana Prison Service agricultural business plan, which he said, would go a far way in prisoner rehabilitation and would assist in dietary self sufficiency and adequacy for the prison system.
However, though rehabilitation remained a focal point, Rohee underscored that the security threat was ever obvious and training of staff should also receive attention. He said the security environment is changing and staff must adjust to a similar mode. He also explained that staff welfare was also essential. “The prisons must introduce creative means to alleviate difficulties by staff even if it is for free or affordable transportation… but without compromising work ethics.
Prisons Director Dale Erskine, in a brief overview at yesterday’s opening ceremony, said the forum provided an opportunity for the administrators to recognize common challenges and successes and was also a platform for them to share and adopt best practices.
H acknowledged the increase in the prison population and pointed out that there were expectations by stakeholders but resource allocation did not meet those expectations.
Erskine said too that he felt the prison service could no longer be placed at the back end of security, as it was “a legitimate child” that needed attention. He said there was need for collaboration and co-operation from various stakeholders, adding that society had a role to play in the continued rehabilitation of prisoners when they left the system.
Staff training in dealing with medically unfit prisoners and training to match the challenges of a changing security environment, reintegration of inmates into society and ensuring safe custody and good treatment even with the challenge of an ever-increasing population, are also among issues to be discussed.
British High Commission Fraser Wheeler, who spoke briefly at yesterday’s opening ceremony, praised the regional body for being registered with Caricom. He said his country remained ready to discuss further co-operation in prison matters, as it continued to deal with security challenges.
