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GPS noted that particular reference is made to the assertion by GHRA that, “In order to sustain the Standard Minimum Rules for treatment of prisoners as the non-negotiable yardstick on which prisons should be administrated, the Guyana Prison Service must be allowed to function professionally, free from political monitoring and interference and their repercussions, which undermine Guyana Prison Service performance.”
In response, the GPS pointed out that, first and foremost, it is important to emphasise that the Prisons Administration, as a Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), is subjected by law, under Chapter 11:01 of the Law of Guyana, to the policy directions of the Minister of Home Affairs.
The Prisons Directorate made it clear it is not uncomfortable with those policy directions issued to the Directorate, and enjoys a professional relationship with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Over the past few years, the Guyana Prison Service noted that it has improved its delivery of services to the inmate population structurally, socially, and administratively.
These conditions, the GPS stated, were as a direct result of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Prison Administration’s concerted efforts to improve the conditions across all prison locations in Guyana, in keeping with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules in the Treatment of Offenders.
“Additionally, a number of other projects have been identified and approved for execution, in order to make the Prisons safer, more secure, and humane for our inmate population in a sustained and strategic manner,” the GPS said.
The statement said that with respect to prisoner Tyrone Rowe, the New Capital Building was designed to separate various categories of our remanded inmate population and those considered to be displaying unusual behaviours in fully self-contained and separate units.
It added that Prisoner Tyrone Rowe, a high profile inmate, along with a number of other prisoners so classified, is isolated in a special one-man cell unit for security reasons in that Division. His conditions of treatment and accommodation are of a humane, safe and secure nature, the prison service stated.
GPS also pointed out that most of its high profile and special watch inmates are of an untried status; hence they cannot be transferred to the Mazaruni Prison, which has facilities to safely and humanely accommodate such prisoners.
The Prison Administration believes the current direction in which the prison service is developing would result into a modern and respected Prison System in the near future, in keeping with its Strategic Development Plan 2010-2020, which sets out a complete plan for the reconstruction and renewal of the Guyana Prison Service.
