THE Guyana Prison Service (GPS) confiscated some 12.81 kilograms of cannabis in 46 raids last year, the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) has reported.

NANA, in its Guyana Drug Information Network (GUYDIN) Report 2019 data for 2018, indicated that of the total cannabis confiscated, 5.49kg was from internal operations while 7.32kg was from joint operations with the Guyana Police Force.
The raids conducted jointly resulted in immediate removal of narcotics by GPF for destruction.

The GPS comprises of five prison locations: Georgetown Prison, New Amsterdam Prison, Mazaruni Prison, Lusignan Prison and the Timehri Prison.
The GPS conducts regular raids within the prisons, be it internal or joint operation with the Guyana Police Force, to confiscate narcotics, cell phones, improvised weapons and alcohol, among other illegal items.

Acting Prisons Director, Gladwin Samuels, had issued several calls to prison warders and officers to desist from trafficking contraband in the prisons while asking those who are guilty to understand the consequences as the law will take its course.

The prison director noted that getting rid of contraband in prison could not be a fight by a few, while noting the need for collective efforts.

The trafficking of contraband in the prison environment also put the perpetrators and warders at risk, Samuels said.

“Prison officers should not be putting their fellow officers at risk. What about our motto: ‘Together in Service?’ Trafficking in contraband at all locations is a matter of grave concern but at the Mazaruni Prison, which is a maximum security prison, it is worst because of the extent of the collusion that is needed for many contraband items to get into the prison.”
He said the prison’s motto: “Together We Serve” is one in which officers swore to uphold and which is widely repeated during the annual anniversary where the celebrations of the high-risk job is observed.

The GPS is tasked with creating an environment where the focus on rehabilitation is done with passion.

Samuels explained that such actions on behalf of the warders only mold inmates to continue a life of crime and failure. Worse yet, he said, it was that the prison service was showing inmates that they were no better. The trade of contraband, while it may seem profitable initially, is bad for the prison environment.

“I do believe that while many prison officers are not directly involved in trafficking of contraband, they were aware of others who were. However, when you know your fellow officers are breaking the law and you remain silent, you are as guilty as they are,” he said.