THE construction of additional housing facilities for the prison population so that they could observe the proper social- distancing guidelines is high on his agenda Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn disclosed on Sunday.

According to a release from the office of the Director of Prisons, the disclosure was made when Minister Benn paid an impromptu visit to the Lusignan Prison, where he was met and briefed by Director Gladwin Samuels himself, as well as Officer-in-Charge of the Holding Bay, Senior Superintendent of Prisons (ag), Deoraj Gyandat on the administration of the prison population there, security challenges, and COVID-19 initiatives among other pertinent issues.
While there, Minister Benn reportedly saw first-hand the Holding Bay, the burnt out section of the facility, and the COVID-19 isolation bay, while challenges were highlighted, and recommendations for meeting some of those challenges were discussed.

Accompanying Minister Benn on his visit were engineers from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Guyana Prison Service, as well as other staff from the Ministry, and they were escorted by Assistant Director of Prisons, Kevin Pilgrim and other Senior Officers of the Guyana Prison Service.
The Minister also visited the kitchen area and the livestock sections, and was provided with some insight into what can be achieved if requests for additional land and other resources are approved.

He was also brought up-to-date on the current status for court hearings at the various levels, be it Magisterial, High Court or Court of Appeal.
Inmates who were given the chance to speak to the minister made some representations on accommodations, court hearings, legal assistance, food, familial visits, recreational diversions and counselling services.

The Minister expressed his concern that the conditions he observed were very unsatisfactory, an observation with which the Prison Directorate concurs.
Minister Benn further reiterated his commitment to working with all concerned to bring measurable improvements, not only to Lusignan, but also to the Georgetown, Mazaruni, New Amsterdam and Timehri Prisons on a timely basis. He added that this will be pursued to ensure better public safety, a more secure environment for the prison population, improved rehabilitation, and safer and less stressful working conditions for the prison officers and staff.