The Guyana Prison Service’s (GPS’s) management team, led by Director of Prisons [Ag], Nicklon Elliot last Wednesday visited the new state-of-the-art Lusignan Prison to overlook the transition process of inmates and also to get a first-hand view of the progress of ongoing construction projects at the location.
The relocation of prisoners from the holding bay to the new facilities had already commenced and continues in the coming weeks, a release from the prison service said.
The holding bay was established after the fiery destruction of the Camp Street and old Lusignan Prisons back in 2017. During the visit, Elliot confirmed that the new facilities was built to accommodate 1,000 prisoners and were designed in accordance with international best practices. The Prison Director indicated that the expansion works is clear evidence of the government’s continued investment in the capital development of the Lusignan prison, thus ensuring that there is adequate capacity in the prison.
He added that the new facility also demonstrates the service’s commitment to the provision of safe and secure custody designed to support prisoner rehabilitation. The expansion project includes a vocational school where inmates will undergo training to mitigate recidivism and upscale skillsets. Upgrades to the facility will also nclude a female prison wing which will function as a holding area after relocation of female prisoners from the New Amsterdam prison. Elliot noted that upon the completion of these works, the GPS will be closer to achieving its essential goal, which is to transition from a penal system to that of a correctional facility.
The members of the visiting management team included the Deputy Director of Prisons, Kelvin Pilgrim, who is the Officer-in-Charge of all prison locations, GPS’s Finance Officer, Officer-in-Charge of Prison Welfare and Corrections, staff of the Strategic Management Department and Staff Welfare Officer.
