A PRISON, also known as a correctional facility or jail, is a facility in which inmates are forcibly confined and denied a variety of freedoms under the authority of the State.

Prisons are most commonly used within a criminal justice system: people charged with crimes may be imprisoned until they are brought to trial; those pleading or who have been found guilty of crimes at trial may be sentenced to a specified period of imprisonment.
That prison is a foreboding place is uncontested.

Its location, usually away from population centres by many miles (the Camp Street Prison, built in colonial times, is an exception); its very structure, characterised by unusually high walls that are mostly topped by razor wire and with strategically placed watch towers with armed guards, that command an all-encompassing view of its external environment.

It is a reminder that the inhabitants within those walls have had to be placed there, set apart from the normal mix of society, for crimes against the laws of the land. People are sent to prison for two reasons: to be punished for their crimes and to be rehabilitated. But as we know, prisoners are categorised on account of the type of offence committed. These are usually from the minor offenders and those categorised as not dangerous, to the most extreme of the latter.

It is a fact that there are prisoners who are so dangerous that they will never taste the sweet air of freedom again. Such has been determined by the law that society has to be kept safe from this type. There is yet another that has been made to serve very lengthy sentences, as a result of the horrendousness/serious nature of the crime committed. These will have a release date, based on the length of sentence. And there is still another group: those whose incarceration as guests of the State are not so lengthy. For them, looking forward to liberty is as much anticipated as the sun that will rise on the next day, because of a short sentence.

It is a given that our kind of society which has its socio-moral underpinnings and values mostly influenced by its colonial experience, has always emitted a jaundiced and prejudiced view as to those who become guests of the State. It is no different in the former British colonial territories that now constitute CARICOM.

In this milieu, many perceive prisoners, whether incarcerated for a minor or major infraction of the law, as persons who are stamped with the mark of outcasts. We describe these as the “bread and water” treatment perception of prison and prisoners, reminiscent of the colonial mindset. So we must now ask the pivotal question–should not those who offend, and have been made to serve their time, not given a second chance on their return to society?

Therefore, the concept of rehabilitation and correctional strategy, as against that of prison, for inmates, needs to be underscored. Although the ultimate punishment of losing one’s liberty may suffice for society’s desire for retribution, there have to be preparations for returning such persons in a different manner to society. Key to this is a recognition and acceptance of his/her wrongdoing.

Very early in his presidency, President David Granger has been unequivocal in his conviction that “young people should be in school, not in jail.” Last December, the Guyana Prison Service signalled that it fully understood the importance and acceptance of this critical aspect of prisoner-preparation for eventual return and reintegration into society, when it hosted a prisoners’ graduation ceremony at the Mazaruni Prison.

It was ground-breaking for the type of courses offered, as well as having a formal graduation ceremony held, in recognising and lauding the efforts of the inmates who participated. This is indeed commendable on the part of the Guyana Prison Service, especially after the disastrous Camp Street fire. However, we will urge that there also be more academic programmes for those inmates so inclined, as there have been a few successes in this learning curve, over two decades ago.

It is ironic, that persons who have served sentences were able to discover talents which they were able to develop for their personal, social and economic benefits after release.
Finally, such an event as held at Mazaruni, does signal the long overdue implementation of penal reform, where emphasis will be placed on giving prisoners a second chance, rather than a custodial sojourn and experience based on archaic practices which continue to distort and eventually destroy whatever self-belief and expectation that prisoners may have for the post-prison life.

Society will now be expected to do its part in accepting those inmates that are well-deserving back into its fold, minus the traditional discrimination that is so well known. All agencies ought to be part of this exercise, beginning at a time of a new dispensation, and a similar horizon beckons. By giving these prisoners a chance at rehabilitation, the prison population could decline at a faster rate than anticipated.