The Government has earmarked a total of $6 billion in the 2026 National Budget to continue the comprehensive transformation of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), aimed at establishing a modern, secure and rehabilitative correctional system.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, made the announcement during the presentation of Budget 2026 to the National Assembly.
Dr Singh said the prison system is undergoing major reform through extensive infrastructural upgrades and the consolidation of strategic facilities, with a focus on strengthening security, safety and rehabilitation outcomes.
In 2025, a sum of $2.1 billion was expended to complete the Lusignan prison headquarters, alongside the construction of a new cell block, a female prison and the installation of a fire suppression system. Additional upgrades were also undertaken at the Mazaruni and New Amsterdam prisons, including improvements to mess halls and living quarters.
For 2026, $1.5 billion has been allocated to further enhance prison infrastructure across the country.
Training and rehabilitation remain central to the reform agenda. Dr Singh said Government continues to prioritise inmate rehabilitation through vocational training and behavioural programmes designed to address the root causes of criminal behaviour and support successful reintegration into society.
To date, more than 1,300 inmates have received training in areas such as block making, carpentry and stress management, while 361 officers have been trained in prison management practices.
In 2026, advanced prison management and human rights training will be conducted for 400 officers to ensure competencies aligned with the new correctional mandates. Additionally, 1,500 inmates will be trained in various vocational and personal development programmes.
A sum of $141.8 million has been budgeted to support these training initiatives.
Dr Singh said the total $6 billion allocation for the Guyana Prison Service in 2026 reflects Government’s commitment to building a correctional system that balances security with rehabilitation, and positions inmates for productive reintegration into society.
