Prison service introduces video calls for inmates

In light of the suspension of all prison visits due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Guyana Prison Service yesterday announced the introduction of video calls for inmates.

Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels yesterday made the announcement in a press statement. Samuels said the implementation of the new measure will allow inmates to communicate with their family members and attorneys.

According to Samuels, the initiative was made possible through the donation of thirty tablets from the de facto Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes.

The calls, he said will be made via the Google Hangout application through a cellular Phone, iPad, tablet or a computer with a camera and a microphone.

“This application would allow the prisoners’ relatives and attorneys -at- law to send a request to the email address of the location where the prisoner is housed, which would then allow the Officer assigned to oversee phone calls to process the request for the call for the prisoner,” Samuels said.The email addresses for the various prisons to which requests can be made are as follows:

“The name of the prisoner with whom communication is sought must be included in the request,” Samuels said.