Dear Editor
IT is most unfortunate that I read in both the print and non-print media many opinions casting heavy blame on Minister Ramjattan for the Camp Street Prison mayhem. Indeed, freedom of expression and freedom of speech has been restored under this current regime, but one must at all times be responsible when offering their commentary for public misperception can create great havoc and usher in great disturbance in this democratic land of ours. I do not believe Minister Ramjattan should face the heat for the jailbreak, at least not at this point in time. Permit me the opportunity to elaborate.

Minister Ramjattan is the subject Minister for Public Security and is resposible for policy within the ministry not the day-to-day running of the various arms within his ministry. All the sectors that fall within the ambit of the Public Security MINISTRY has an administrative head. These administrators are fully answerable for the actions of the respective subordinate officers that fall under their watch and therefore the chief prison officer must take full responsibility for the fire that occurred on that faithful day. There are many questions that must be answered, such as how are prisoners getting access to materials that can start a fire and why are prisoners not frequently and properly checked to ensure prohibited materials are not within their possession? The prison officers need to understand their importance and be their brothers and sisters’ keepers.

It is very factual to say that collusion by and between prison officers and relatives / family members of prisoners is responsible for prisoners being in possession of prohibited items, since prisoners don’t enter the prison with these items. Further, it is my belief that preferential treatment given to specific prisoners can lead to disturbance for the art of bribery can take many forms and susceptibility cannot be ruled out.
Editor, we can change governments every five years, but if we don’t change ourselves as enforcers of the law, then there is no guarantee of improvement. The President, ministers and parliamentarians are depended upon to formulate policies and make laws that will improve our lives and the country.

The chief administrative officers of the respective agencies have a role to play, and that is to enforce the laws and manage their subordinates.
Notwithstanding the above, may I suggest to the Honourable Minister of Public Security the following:

1. All prison officers must subject themselves to lie detector tests monthly.
2. Visitors to prisoners must have only visual and audible contact with them.
3. All meals must be prepared by the state for prisoners. Relatives who desire special meals for their prisoners must pay the state to prepare same. The state will of course have a special chef for that purpose. In essence, accessibility to prisons by outsiders must be mitigated or completely removed.

To repeat myself again, these measures will still not reduce the possibility of a recurrence unless the enforcers do their jobs properly. The future of what happens next rests fully on their sholders and the manner in which they execute their functions. They must serve with honesty, dignity and pride.
Oftentimes I hear that this government must not look back at the past, but rather move ahead with developing this country, which I agree with, but it will be unfair and utterly wrong of me not to say that for 23 years the PPP sat in the governing seat and did not see it fit to modernise the prisons; however, within two years being in opposition they have the correct answer. If that is not funny then please tell me what is?!

In closing, I believe Minister Ramjattan will put measures in place by way of formulating policies that will ensure smooth management of the prisons in Guyana. Of course, Cabinet and Parliament will have to ratify and approve respectively, but it is the administrators whom I am worried about. If we were not a country with limited resources, then certainly all would have been glorious, but unfortunately we have limited resources and all sectors are equally important; therefore, wise usage of these resources is necessary.

Regards
Ganesh Mahipaul