SEVERAL officers of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) have left Guyana for the United States (US) to participate in the 18th Annual Mock Prison Riots, at the decommissioned West Virginia State Prison in Moundsville.The ranks are currently undergoing Emergency Response and Riot Training prior to the staging of the Annual Mock Prison Riots which will take place from May 1 to 4.The officers participating are: Assistant Superintendent Kelvin Hutson; Cadet Officers Uditsair Holigon, and Twain Hemerding; Chief Officers Patrick Crawford, Prince Cox, Dazley Granderson, Mickey Pross and Ken Prescod, and Prison Training Instructor, Erwin Mentore and Woman Prison Officer Murrica Murray.

The ranks previously named to represent the GPS at the event were unable to attend due to obligatory circumstances. The local prison officers’ participation in the training exercise comes from an invitation extended by the US Government.

The training will enable the local ranks to respond better to prison unrest or other similar emergencies, in addition to training other ranks in the effort to build the capacity of GPS officers.

The Mock Prison Riot training which began in 1997 offers prison officers from around the world training. They participate and learn the latest techniques and methods used to quell prison disturbances. The sessions feature hands-on training and technology exposure to corrections, law enforcement, military, and public safety practitioners.

[GINA]