MINISTER of Home Affairs Mr. Clement Rohee yesterday commissioned the $24.8M rehabilitated Bachelor’s Quarters at Parade Street, Kingston, Georgetown, which will house members of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS).
In his remarks on the occasion, he said he is pleased that the building is ready to be occupied as it was during a visit to the location, several years ago, that he found the place in a deplorable condition and ordered its renovation.
He said the rehabilitation was done in three phases by three different contractors and it will accommodate a large number of prison officers.
Rohee said, considering the cost in the city, he thinks the result was value for money.
He encouraged the prison officers to upkeep the condition of the building and care the facilities, adding that the project was in the interest of the government to suitably accommodate prison officers who are from out of town.
The Minister said the project was a good one which came to fruition, will serve its purpose and used quite well by those who occupy it.
Rohee said the structure has a long history and had been occupied by people from the Disciplined Services as well as the Red Cross and British soldiers, who were here in the 1960s.

He noted that prison officers, in previous times, had to pay a lot of hotel bills for their accommodation when they were brought from outlying areas to the city.
“We also have the GPS Training School at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, where officers can stay and I think it is a good project which was finally realised and will be fully occupied,” Rohee added.
Director of Prisons, Mr. Dale Erskine said it was a signature achievement under the auspices of Minister Rohee.
“I want to say that the minister does not only look at prisoners but, recently, opened a building for prisoners when he saw the need for it after a visit to the location.”

He stated, too, that with the completion of the one in Kingston, prison officers will have something to add to their pockets and it will provide a sanctuary for them as well as provide motivation for them in the line of work.
Also at the function were Deputy Director of Prisons, Mr. Malcolm Mc Andrew; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ms. Angela Johnson and other officers who all toured the building after the cutting of the ribbon and presentation of the keys to Erskine by the minister.
The amenities include several rooms (living quarters), kitchens and sanitary facilities.
After the tour, Erskine presented a token of appreciation, from the GPS to Rohee, a wooden table made at the Mazaruni Prison.