THE Home Affairs Ministry, on Wednesday, signed a $1.2 billion contract for the reconstruction of the Lusignan Prison, Lots 1-3, under the Guyana Prison Service.
Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, said the signing ceremony will aid in the successful rehabilitation and education of offenders, and enhance the prison system so as to ensure offenders are not a risk to public security and safety. The contract awardees are Mohamed Enterprise, M&P Investment in joint venture with Construtora Cobra Eireli, and Nabi Construction Inc.
On September 19, 2020, two inmates: Earl Graham and Winston Herbert, were fatally wounded and several others were injured after members of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) fired live rounds at inmates to prevent a breakout. The GPS had said that the men were shot at by guards stationed in the prison’s tower in the midst of rushing towards the main gate to escape.
The shooting capped off hours of protests by inmates over a number of issues, including overcrowding at the facility and the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Overcrowding at the facility has been a long-standing concern.