– Prison Director (ag) warns against such practice

A SOPHIA resident was taken into custody after 66 grams of cannabis and several pieces of electronic gadgets intended to be delivered to an inmate in one of the country’s correctional facilities, were found in her possession in a restaurant at Timehri, East Bank Demerara.
Guyana Police Force spokesman Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan said the arrest was made at 17:00hrs by ranks of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service, as a plan was being hatched by the 37-year-old suspect to smuggle the items into the Timehri Prison. The suspect, who is cooperating with investigators, is likely to be arraigned in court earliest.

When contacted, Director of Prisons (ag), Gladwin Samuels told this publication that prison officers are increasingly understanding their responsibilities and this has resulted in a middle manager refusing to enter into a corrupt transaction with the mother of the remanded prisoner. The director explained that systems were put in place which resulted in her arrest.
“I ask that others who are approached to become involved in corrupt practices to refrain and have those wrongdoers arrested and charged,” he advised.
Meanwhile, Samuels said on Good Friday at 12:50hrs a civilian requested to drop off some personal effects for a prisoner committed to stand trial for murder.
“Because of the administration’s interest in prisoners’ welfare, approval was granted. A routine search was conducted on the items and a quantity of seeds, leaves and stems suspected to be marijuana were found. The discovery was made in two bottles of baby powder. When weighed by the police it amounted to 264 grams. The items and the suspect were handed over to the police,” Samuels added.