The society has a responsibility to contribute in influencing a national conversation on the state of our prison system and what we desire of it and a serious conversation must start now. The prison has been and will continue to be an institution in society. Recognising that the prison encompasses people who are citizens, it must not only be looked at as a penal system but a reformist institution that prepares the incarcerated for reintegration into society. Recent reports that this population has a high prevalence of HIV must be of concern and tackled with the same commitment with which the disease is handled in the wider society.
To bring about desired results the problem has to be accepted in all its variances and then a system of education put in place to the address its complexities. Difficult as it may be for some to accept, there is need for recognition that we live in an era where rights are universal and not constrained to any particular group. As such there is need for acceptance or respect for the various sexual orientation and preferences in society and moreso what will likely happen within the prison’s walls.
Containing the HIV virus and preventing its spread and other sexually transmitted infections require new thinking that brings with it acknowledgement of the reality, putting systems in place to work within this reality through sexual education, protection and medical treatment. Even as emphasis is placed on sexual education, other factors can simultaneously be addressed.
The walls of the prisons are bursting at its seams given the larger population than what they were originally designed for. This is in itself a violation of prisoners’ rights and in some society there would be an outcry to have this corrected. The disgust for criminal actions must not translate to violation of human rights which prisoners are too guaranteed.
Addressing reform will require reviewing sentencing based on the type of crime. Innovative ways can be examined to dispense with petty crimes such as stealing a bicycle, wherein justice can be dispensed through community service in a controlled environment. Sentencing for marijuana should also be examined as a matter of priority, including decriminalisation of a certain amount or for medical reason.
President Granger’s initiative of pardoning young men who would have committed non-violent offences must be considered a good intent to kick start a major prison reformation. The prison population can be placed in several difference groups since the one-size fits all system is a proven failure. Even as inmates are taught CXC and basic technical education, such can be complemented with programmes like an effective parole system designed towards preparing prisoners for reintegration and reducing the congestion that presently exists.
Every incarcerated individual, outside of those on death row or life imprisonment, is expected to reintegrate into society. Taking cognisance of this reality requires a reform structure that is deep, focused and incisive with consideration for the varied groups. It should be considered that prison life must bring with it new opportunities or second chance to pursue a life of legitimacy and productivity through acquisition of knowledge and development of appropriate life skills.
In the wider society efforts can also be made to empower the citizenry of the various crimes and corresponding penalties via roadway signs, etc., which play a role in deterring crime. Our prison system has remained in an era the world has moved beyond. For instance, Camp Street which is the major prison, is not only overcrowded, but the time is past nigh where for its original purpose it should be outside of Georgetown that is not only congested but also displaying signs of crises in urban planning. When this prison was built it was situated on the periphery of the town.
And given that the prison system is being managed at a tidy sum to the taxpayers, attention ought to be paid to value for money. Applying this principle can see a system put in place targeting reduction in recurring offenders by separating them from the hardened criminals who can influence them to a life of crime. Prison reform is possible in the presence of will and commitment, but such must also be seen as a matter of necessity to bring Guyana into the 21st century