FIVE Prison Officers of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) will be attending a four-day Mock Prison Riot (MPR) in the United States of America (USA) from May 1 upon the invitation of the United States government. Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman at Wednesday’s post Cabinet press briefing said Cabinet has approved Guyana’s participation at the MPR which is being held at the decommissioned West Virginia State Prison in Moundsville, West Virginia.
“The Mock Prison riot facilitates tactical training, technology deployment and demonstrations resulting in candid practitioner feedback that shapes the law enforcement and corrections industry on a global scale. The training being offered is expected to increase the capacity of the Guyana Prison Service to respond to prison unrest or other similar emergencies,” said Minister Trotman.
According to the MPR website the MPR is a four-day comprehensive law enforcement and corrections tactical and technology experience, including 40,000 square feet of exhibit space, training scenarios, technology demonstrations, certification workshops, a Skills Competition, and unlimited opportunities for feedback, networking, and camaraderie on a global scale.
Guyana’s participation in the MPR follows what has been described as the worse prison riot in the history of the country, which resulted in the death of 17 inmates and injury of several others.
Those selected to attend are Chief Prison Officers Peter Barker, Seon Charles, and Kirk Joseph along with Cadet Officer Cafela Hale and Princpal Officer 2 Lionel Cave. Should one of the identified prison officers be unable to attend the MPR then Prison Officer 2111 Martin Rajmangal has been selected as the alternate.