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Slothful justice system major factor of prison overcrowding
– Minister Rohee
Government has initiated action aimed at increasing and improving the accommodation at the prisons.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee recently reiterated that the improved accommodation includes the renovation of the physical facilities at New Amsterdam, Mazaruni, Lusignan and Georgetown Prisons.
According to Rohee, the proper management of the Guyana Prison Service is critical to the overall law enforcement efforts in the country.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee
In fact, the Prison Service is a vital part of the general security landscape of the country.
“When the police intensify its enforcement activities, the number of persons on remand or serving custodial sentences would increase. This addition to the prison system would require more vigilance on the part of the Prison Service, to ensure that the prisoners do not escape. We only have to look back a few years to realize what are the likely consequences of escapes from that institution,” the minister told reporters at his year-end press conference.
Only recently, there was an attempted jailbreak by several remanded prisoners. Fortunately, all were apprehended, and have since been placed before the court.
Rohee pointed out that, during last year, despite a few incidents, the Guyana Prison Service was able to remain focused on its goals, in spite of the constraints it faced.
A major factor in improving the criminal justice system is getting the courts to deal more speedily with remanded prisoners.
According to Rohee, the rate of persons going into the system is far greater than those coming out.
He pointed out that improving the prison system cannot be separated from the criminal justice system.
“There are too many persons on remand. The court system must be faster,” Rohee said.
Recently, legislation was passed that makes it difficult for persons to be granted bail.
This is one of the main contributory factors influencing the increased remand population in the prison.
In addition, when the length of time taken to try cases in Guyana’s hinterland regions is taken into account, the overcrowding situation at the country’s penal institutions is even more acute.
The Prison Service was the recipient of a number of high profile prisoners who were products of the Rondell Rawlins, called ‘Fine Man’ and other gangs.
Rohee said that this development necessitated an increase in the security arrangements around the prisons, especially the main facility in Georgetown.
“At the same time, other initiatives started earlier and aimed at the rehabilitation of prisoners have continued during the year under review,” Rohee said.
He noted that the Government is committed to supporting programmes aimed at improving the professional competence of the members of the Guyana Prison Service, which would enable them to better manage the organisation.
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