By Shauna Jemmott

GOVERNMENT is likely to make a major transformation of the infamous ‘Capital A Block’ inside the Georgetown Prison where 17 prisoners died in a fire during the country’s worst ever prison riot on March 3, creating a significant institute called the ‘Centre of Learning and Reconciliation”.On March 3, the Capital A dormitory was set on fire during a massive three-day riot by inmates, killing 17 prisoners, some from smoke inhalation and others due to severe burns, and injuring some thirty others.

A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the riots and resultant deaths was chaired by Justice James Patterson, along with other Commissioners – former Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine and Human Rights Activist Merle Mendonca. A report arriving out of the proceedings was submitted to President David Granger earlier this month.

One recommendation in the report of the CoI is that government should renovate the Capital A Block, and purposefully call it, ‘Centre of Learning and Reconciliation” for prisoners.
“It should have a good library with appropriate technology and other supporting material to aid inmates to develop themselves.”

A few officers within the Guyana Prison Service had testified during the CoI that training in construction, mechanical engineering, cookery and other areas is done at the jail yard. One officer testified about his mixed feeling of pride and embarrassment as one of his students secured a multi-million dollar building contract for a massive construction project sometime after being discharged from the jail.

The chief cook also spoke about many prisoners being taken through cooking courses and would even be part of catering groups at the jail.

Deputy Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels had also spoken of prisoners who had gone into the jail with their own skills and expertise and were being utilized to teach others – one attended Cyril Potter College of Education before entering the jail, and others were presented with grass cutters and bicycles upon discharge in order to make an honest living.

PENAL PHILOSOPHY
According to the report, the training programmes of prisoners and their training facilities must match the concepts of modern penal philosophy to reduce recidivism and criminality among incarcerated offenders.

Taking into consideration the educational development of prison officers, the Chairman and Commissioners also proposed that the structure and equipment at the Cecil Kilkenny Prison Officers’ Training School at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara be enhanced “to create a receptive learning environment for prison officers”.

The completion of the new prison at Lusignan, and upgrade of Mazaruni Prison facilities must be done to improve the holding capacity of prisoners under humane conditions.

“A more effective system of lighting in dormitories (must) be introduced to avoid tampering and turning off of lights by prisoners in divisions… review the internal walls of high security blocks to avoid prisoners breaking through them,” the report states.

The report states that while the prisoners’ living conditions are to be improved to reflect states of humanity and dignity, the Probation and Social Services Department must play its role at the institution more effectively, and there must be improved capability of the medical facility within the jail.

“… The healthcare of prisoners can be expeditiously addressed with no need to be taken to the hospital for routine tests,” and kitchens at the various prisons “must cease using firewood as a fuel and modern kitchens be developed at all locations to prepare inmates’ food,” the report recommends.