THE Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has revealed that it has recorded a remarkable reduction in recidivism rates for 2024, signaling a positive trend in the rehabilitation of offenders in the country’s correctional system.

In a recent post, the GPS announced that the Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot said the service’s concerted efforts in providing technical and vocational skills training, alongside behavioural modification and social services programmes, have contributed significantly to this significant achievement.

According to the Prison Service, the director’s team highlighted the importance of rehabilitative programmes in preparing prisoners for life beyond incarceration, emphasising their role in reducing recidivism rates.

While sharing the statistics with the managerial team, the Head of the GPS’ Strategic Department Rae-Dawn Corbin noted, “Our rehabilitative programmes and the tireless work of officers and supporting staff are meeting their intended purpose of preparing prisoners with life skills that will allow them to better reintegrate into society.”

The GPS said the success of Guyana’s efforts in reducing recidivism is particularly noteworthy when compared to global averages.

“Guyana’s recidivism rate of 14 per cent (tabulated against the current prison population) stands in stark contrast to averages reported by the Inter-American Development Bank for Australia, the United States of America, the Caribbean, and Latin America which stands at over 25 per cent,” the GPS said in its Facebook post.

The GPS related that it is committed to upskilling inmates and enhancing the capacity of its staff through training initiatives. In 2024, over 800 inmates benefitted from training opportunities provided by internal and external trainers.

Alongside this, the GPS also notes that it has made significant strides in strengthening its collaborative efforts with key stakeholders throughout 2024.
It was underscored that through the proactive networking of the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, Director Elliot, and Head of the Strategic Management Department Rae-Dawn Corbin, the service has fostered valuable relationships with leading institutions and individuals in the field of corrections.

The GPS noted that key collaborations included knowledge exchange with renowned figures such as Dr. Julie Jailall, an education expert; Todd Ishee, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Corrections and Robert Greene, Director of the American Corrections Association.

Additionally, the GPS has strengthened ties with international organisations such as the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA), and the Association of Caribbean Heads of Corrections and Prisons Services.

The GPS mentioned that it has deepened its collaboration with local institutions, including the University of Guyana, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), the Ministry of Education, the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), the Ministry of Tourism, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC).

These partnerships are crucial for enhancing rehabilitation programmes, providing staff and inmates with marketable skills, and facilitating successful reintegration into society, the GPS said adding that this complements the efforts of the other ministries, private partnering facilitators, the community and critical family support.

Meanwhile, Director Elliot emphasised the commitment of the GPS in addressing rehabilitation efforts comprehensively, both within prison walls and in promoting reintegration into society.

The Prison Director added that the growth of these collaborations and the planned projects, promises to bear much fruit in the upcoming years, which he said he is looking forward to.
These collaborations will play a vital role in supporting the Prison Service’s vision of advancing national development and contributing to a more effective and just criminal justice system.

“These strategic collaborations are critical to the continued success of the Guyana Prison Service,” said Minister Benn.

Further, the Strategic Management Head noted that “By working together with esteemed institutions and expert individuals, we can leverage best practices, access valuable resources, and enhance our capacity to provide effective and humane correctional services.”

She added that the opportunity for collaborating is far from exhausted, and the prison administration welcomes private and public individuals and entities to join in on making a fulfilling impact in the lives of the men and women in the care of the GPS.