CHIEF Magistrate Judy Latchman and a high-level delegation from the Magistracy visited the Lusignan Prison on Friday as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and gain a firsthand understanding of the prison’s operations and challenges.

The visit brought together several newly appointed magistrates and senior judicial officials, who were welcomed by Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot.

The delegation included Magistrates Ocelisa Marks, Nikkisha Logan, Jimelle Joseph, Shareefah Parks, Taneisha Saygon and Caressa Henry, along with Court Administrator Monique Ifill, Drug Treatment and Mental Health Court Manager, Dion Chase, Administrative Officer of the Judicial Service Commission, Julianna Hollingsworth, and Assistant Protocol and Communication Officer, Bhanmattie Ramdial.

During the engagement, Elliot highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between the judiciary and the prison service, noting that closer co-operation is essential to advancing the country’s correctional system.

He also briefed the delegation on the Guyana Prison Service’s ongoing transformation, explaining that the institution has shifted its focus towards a modern correctional model centred on rehabilitation, reintegration and the restoration of human dignity.

Chief Magistrate Latchman welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with prison officials and reaffirmed the Magistracy’s commitment to maintaining a strong working relationship with the Guyana Prison Service.

The delegation later toured several key facilities within the prison compound, including the new administrative building currently under construction, virtual courtrooms, the kitchen, medical centre, trade shop, prisoner housing units, the intake processing area and the Command Centre.

The visit provided judicial officers with a closer look at the prison’s daily operations and ongoing infrastructural development as the Guyana Prison Service continues efforts to modernise the country’s correctional system.