(GINA) Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee Saturday reiterated Government’s commitment to the humane treatment of prisoners; but while this is so, security must not be compromised.

The Minister made this remark in an invited comment at the end of a visit to the Mazaruni Prison, Region Seven, where he inspected the conditions under which prisoners at that facility are housed.

Minister Rohee had discussions with a number of prisoners and the administrative staff of the facility.

Prisoners spoke openly with the Minister during which several issues were raised, including a request by prisoners to be allowed to participate in remedial classes as they had entered prison illiterate and were concerned that they would be unable to find productive employment upon release.

The arrangement for managing the prison population which exceeds 200 was explained, and other issues affecting the administration of the facility discussed between the Minister and the administrative staff. It was also pointed out that there was difficulty in attracting academic staff to conduct remedial training at the facility because of its location.

The Minister pointed out that the successes of the police have resulted in a larger prison population, which necessitates increased vigilance by the prison authorities.

He explained that prisons house the most violent persons in society and those who seek to enrich themselves through illegal activity. Assembling them in one place calls for good management to ensure that they are kept there.

The Minister was in Region Seven to hand over vehicles and speed boats recently acquired by his Ministry for the Community Policing Groups.

The Minister also visited the recently constructed Fire Station at Bartica.
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