THE Inter-Development Bank (IDB) has announced its commitment to financing the training of 60 Prison Officers from the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) in a groundbreaking Mental, Neurological Disorder, and Substance Abuse Disorders First Responder Training programme.

This revelation came to light during a visit by an IDB delegation, including Team Leader/ Programme Specialist, Dr. Jason Wilks, Operations Analyst, Joel Parris, and Project Manager for the Support for the Criminal Justice System (SCJS), Indira Anandjit, to the Lusignan Prison on April 17, 2024. During the visit, the delegation was given a comprehensive tour of the prison facility.

The primary focus of the IDB-funded project offices, SCJS and the Citizen’s Security Strengthening Project (CSSP), was discussed during the visit.

The delegation received briefings on the status of various initiatives, including the IDB-funded Prisoners’ Management Information System (Pri-MIS), the newly established mental health unit, trade shops, and the computer lab tools and equipment.

Highlighting the IDB’s significant contributions to Guyana’s Criminal Justice System over the years, the delegation underscored the bank’s commitment to enhancing equity, efficiency, and transparency within the system.

In a recent development, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) received over $30 million worth of information and communications technology (ICT) equipment under the Support for the SCJS programme. This included provisions for a new Mental Health Unit, a speedboat, and other essential tools and equipment aimed at improving operational effectiveness.

The visiting IDB team was hosted by key officials from the Guyana Prison Service, including Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot; Acting Deputy Director of Prisons, Kevin Pilgrim; Head of the Prison Service’s Strategic Management Department, Rae-Dawn Corbin-Cameron and Senior Superintendent of Prisons, Deoraj Gyandat.

The initiative underscores the collaborative efforts between international development partners and local authorities in addressing critical issues within the criminal justice system, ultimately aiming to enhance public safety and well-being.