“I WOULD first want to say on my behalf that I am sorry…I know saying sorry is not an excuse as the minister would have made mention that a Commission of Inquiry would be launched and that Commission of Inquiry would do a detailed investigation.

“I don’t have to wait on an inquiry or an investigation to simply say sorry, because I am responsible for a prison location…Like a soldier you have to be responsible for everyone under your charge.”

These were the words of the head of the Camp Street Prison, Kevin Pilgrim, at a time when the nation is confronted with its worst prison riot. More profoundly, these are words this nation has not heard uttered, in a long time, from a public official as they relate to the performance of duties.

This statement by Pilgrim reflects that there is still in our midst, public officials who are mindful of who they are in service to, and are respectful of those whom they serve. Over recent years, the society has been suffering from the unfortunate experience whereby public officials, elected or appointed, operate with no regard for ethics and courtesy.

Too often the public has been humiliated, shout down, and ignored by these officials. For far too often the public have been made to feel that public officials are masters and the public their servants. This has been a disturbing sign; thus, when Superintendent Pilgrim spoke words to the effect it has renewed hope that they are amongst us persons of his ilk and all is not lost.

The loss of lives and the humiliation of the prison administration will engage continuous attention and discussion. For while the prisoners have revolted, there exist a number of factors that contributed to the situation. It is important to recognise that those who have sought to hold the government accountable, inclusive of its critics, have accepted that the current state of the prison was not arrived at overnight.

The past lack of will to implement strategic recommendations to alleviate the state of affairs must not be rehashed as a new commission of inquiry is put in place, the recommendations that emerge from it must be taken seriously and implemented. This is not the time for sharing of blame and finger-pointing, since the country at large is conscious of the problems and to some extent did not robustly call for and insist on prison reforms. Consequently, the entire nation should feel responsible for what occurred and commit to be part of the change that is necessary.

In looking forward, it needs to be remembered that prisoners are human and have rights which are enshrined in laws, universal declarations and conventions. Coming out of the upheaval the nation is confronted with certain uncomfortable truths, such as the length of time persons are on remand. In one instance it was learnt that a person has been on remand for 10 years.

This is wrong and should not be taking place in these modern times. Justice delayed is justice denied and a principle in the justice system is that of ensuring a speedy trial. This is also hinged to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, police and courts expediting their roles in the chain, efficiently and effectively.

Where prisoners have complained about crowded residency, substandard food, the state has a responsibility to correct such anomalies, given that these are basic human requirements. On the issue of communication with inmates and their loved ones, in the absence of adequate facilities it opened the door for persons to achieve same through clandestine means.

The breakdown in systems (operational and administrative) within the prison walls, has created opportunities and accommodation for the plying of a contraband/illegal trade and other clandestine actions and treatments.
These anomalies are not unique to Guyana, given that they happen in prison systems around the world.

What Guyana must not do is remain unique in refusing to confront these challenges and correct them. From this vantage point, Superintendent Pilgrim’s statement must not only be seen as an apology to the society, but also an admission that things are not right and they ought to be fixed in order that the prison system can function in accordance with modern values and standards.