–OIC, Welfare and Corrections

THE Guyana Prison Service has been very active in hosting a number of programmes at its five prison locations countrywide in order to enhance the welfare of its inmates, according to Reverend Fay Clarke, Officer-in-Charge of Welfare and Corrections. 

The programmes are diverse since they aim to foster societal cohesion among inmates while focusing on strengthening their mentality as a whole.
Aside from cliché programmes there are circular programmes such as mechanical engineering, apprenticeship, court training and anger management among others that the Prison Service is providing for inmates.
Moreover, as part of the listed programmes, the prisons have participated in the literacy competitions that were hosted by the National Library, and have seen such improvements that it is now a priority to foster literacy for all inmates in Guyana.
The Officer-in-Charge of Welfare and Corrections in the Guyana Prison Service said: “I think when one compares Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean, the Guyana Prison Service under the Ministry of Home Affairs has been proactive in recognising the need for a new approach in prison management with an emphasis and focus on reintegration.”
Meanwhile, the Welfare and Corrections Department is seeking to collaborate with stakeholders who are interested in participating in the programmes offered by the Prison Service.
The objectives of these programmes are to expand prisoners’ retraining opportunities, develop synergistic economic and social activities to not only benefit the prisoners but also their families and to better motivate inmates who would be less likely to riot or become involved in planned escapes.

(By Shivanie Sugrim)