SIX officers of the Guyana Prison Service, including Deputy Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels, have been granted substantive appointments with effect from January 1, 2020.
According to a press statement from the prison service, Samuels has been promoted to the position of Director of Prisons.

Samuels, who has been acting in the position for about a year, had said in past reports that social intervention and support, combined with punishment and encouragement, are much more effective in preventing crimes.

He believes that if an inmate is not exposed to opportunities that contribute to positive changes, leaving prison and returning to a life of crime would likely be their first option.
“An existence without hope will invariably lead to recidivism and a life of crime that will further jeopardise our individual and collective security. Our revised laws have not yet been passed to see the GPS move formally to a fully correctional institution. In our existing laws; however, there are sufficient guidelines that allow us to make rehabilitation a critical part of our mandate. This is an ongoing exercise,” said Samuels in a past report.

The new prison director will be hoping to further realise his ideals. He will be aided by Senior Superintendent of Prisons Nicklon Elliot, who was promoted to Deputy Director of Prisons.

In addition to Elliot and Samuels, Senior Superintendent of Prisons Kevin Pilgrim was promoted to Assistant Director of Prisons, while Chief Prison Officers Christine George and Kurt Joseph, along with Cadet Officer Twain Hemerding have been promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Prisons.