Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee says the newly-reconstituted Parole Board will face a new challenge as its work is now being scrutinized by the media and he wants the Board to be visible so that persons could understand its work.
The minister on Monday at his Brickdam office expressed appreciation for the work done by the Board during its last term and said that he hoped that they will continue to give good service during the coming year, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
The Board is chaired by retired Justice Oslen Small and includes Rabindra Chand Chairman, George-town Prison Visiting Committee; Deoram Timram, Chairman, Timehri Prison Visiting Committee; Samuel Dasraj, Mazaruni Prison Visiting Committee; Dr Bhiro Harry; and Barbara Deodat, while the Director of Prisons and a representative of the Guyana Police Force not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner serve as ex officio members.
Minister Rohee at a recent sitting of the National Assembly in response to a question posed by Opposition Member Deborah Backer had advised Parliament that since the establishment of the Board in 1992, 115 prisoners had been released on parole.
Parole aims at reducing overcrowding in the prisons and serves as a reward for prisoners who have shown promise or determination to reform, earning them a further period of freedom above the one-third remission already allowed.
According to GINA, Deputy Director of Prisons Poshanand Tahal explained that upon admission to prison, the prisoner is advised about the parole provision and conditions as stated in the act. Once qualified, the prisoner can make a written application to the Parole Board through the Prison Authority. If help is needed he/she can ask the Prison Welfare Officer or any relative to do so.
The application is then sent to the Parole Board for consideration.
A prisoner may apply for parole once he/she has served one-third or 12 months of the sentence imposed by the court, whichever is longer. A prisoner serving a life sentence may apply for parole after serving 10 years in prison.
And according to the act, GINA noted, prison officials, police officers and attorneys-at-law could make recommendations about releases, while victims can submit written statements but the final decision is up to the Parole Board which decides when and how to release prisoners who qualify for parole.
