SOME 85 officers of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) have received certificates after successfully completing the University of Guyana’s Institute for Human Resiliency, Strategic Security and the Future (IHRSSF) programme on Communications and Administration for Correctional Facilities.

According to the GPS, each of the courses was designed specifically for correctional officers and are accredited by the University of Guyana, allowing for the officers to earn credits when pursuing other programmes at the university.

During a recently held graduation ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of UG, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin in a recorded message, urged officers to make full use of the knowledge gained since their role is multifaceted, requiring not only physical strength and discipline, but also strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence and the ability to handle a wide range of complex situations.

Additionally, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) for Institutional Advancement, Dr Mellissa Ifill, expressed her appreciation for the collaborative efforts that brought the programme to fruition.

The DVC highlighted the partnership’s origins in 2016, and the impactful projects completed, including documenting the history of the Guyana Prison Service and a four-year research project on MNS disorders.

Furthermore, she told the officers that they serve as role models, guide conduct and contribute to a therapeutic environment that can aid inmates in their journey towards successful reintegration into society.

Dr Ifill noted that the University of Guyana is committed to continuing its collaboration with the GPS through certified training programmes.

Also speaking at the graduation ceremony was Director of the Guyana Prison Service, Nicklon Elliot, who underscored the Prison Service’s commitment to empowering staff performance which will result in their personal transformation.

The director emphasised the need for ongoing training at the tertiary level to meet current needs of the organization, which will aid in the delivery of service provided by the prison system.

He also expressed appreciation to the government through the Ministry of Home Affairs for the continuous support provided to the GPS’s human resource development programme which allows prison officers to be exposed to various training programmes.

Meanwhile, Acting Deputy Director of Prisons, Kevin Pilgrim, noted that while the programme was designed to build the capacity of prison staff, it also represents a significant step forward in the GPS’s commitment to fostering professional growth for its officers.
Pilgrim further noted that the GPS has developed a comprehensive training plan that emphasised continuous learning and development of well-trained individuals to ensure that the service operates at a level consistent with international standards.

The programme targeted four courses which included the Junior Managers’ Proficiency course, which saw Chief Prison Officer Owen Charles coming out as the Best Graduating Student; the Supervisory Competency Intermediary Level programme, from which the Best Graduating Student was Principal Officer 11 Anthony Henry; the Supervisory Competency Elementary Level programme, where Principal Officer 1 Elmer Lawrence was the Best Graduating Student and Probationers Proficiency course for which Prison Officer Alcuin Kendall was the Best Graduating Student.