Are the inmates running the Georgetown Prison?

Sep 26, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
Prisoners set fire to Camp Street prison, Kaieteur News September 23, 2015. Such a headline was reminiscent not only of the prisoners and the growing degree of control they possess, but the inability of the prison system to effectively curb, if not eradicate the institutional barbarism.
Inter alia, in flagrante delicto, permit me to ask a question that to the mentally cognizant may appear vacuous or asinine at best, but nevertheless beggars a response.
Who is running the Camp Street prison? Seemingly the inmates are in charge, especially in light of recent events viz: stabbing compounded by the audacity of an inmate who witnessed the incident and took pictures of the horrible ordeal as it unfolded and sent to his family.
In he the house photographer of sorts? Even the relatives expressed their shock and dismay that dangerous weapons such as cutlasses would be allowed in the prisons, let alone be found in the hands of the convicts. Parents asking for their offspring to be moved to a more protective environment in view of repeated attacks.
Previously in March 2015, prisoners set fire to a mattress during a small riot. Again how did matches come to be in their possession? Note that I have purposely omitted mentioning the more dangerous or prison –constructed weapons used to inflict more grievous harm.
Not surprisingly, this incident of September 23, 2015 only serves to further highlight the abysmal state of affairs at a maximum security institution designed to house hard core convicts. Is it futile for me to inquire as to whether body searches, cell searches, prisoner surveillance, visitor (s) control etc. are conducted and if so, by whom, and with what frequency.
Taking into full consideration the frequency with these barbaric acts (with total disregard being shown by prisoners for their present demise, as well as for human lives) are perpetrated, perhaps the entire prison system should be reexamined with personnel at all levels being removed or dismissed as found necessary.
With tongue outside my cheek, let me quote Marcellus after his having just seen the ghost of Hamlet’s father, the late king of Denmark-Something is rotten in the state of Denmark There are far too many Keystone type Cops dressed in uniform running around under the guise of guarding prisoners. According to the United Nations prison authorities have a responsibility to ensure that the supervision and treatment of prisoners is in line with the rule of law, with respect to individuals’ human rights.
What part of that is not fully understood by those in authority? It is blatantly apparent to the most blatantly visually deficient, as well as informed members of the present Guyanese populace, that a plethora of problems have always plagued the prison service of which hopefully,the new Ministry of Home Affairs isalso fully aware.
Amidst the smoldering ruins let us peer through the prison bars. As far back asJuly 2001, a team from Britain, the Consultancy Group of the British Government Cabinet Office Centre for Management and Policy Studies “ presented its Prison Reform Report to the then Minister of Home Affairs Ronald Gajraj.
In another reformative face saving process, Cecil Kennard former Chancellor of the Judiciary, again presented to Gajraj a 30 page Report of Board Of Inquiry into the February 23, 2002 Escape of Five Prisoners from Georgetown Prison. In like manner theGuyana Prison Service also produced their own 2001-2011 Strategic Development Plan basedon workshops, consultancy reports and visits.
The Carter Centre of America also presented another report in 2002, callingfor the establishment of a Criminal Law Review Committee to examine existing laws, practices and procedures for the criminal justice system especially imprisonment. Yet again, in the wake of improvement Justice Ian Chang handed over to over to the Speaker of the National Assembly in May 2004 a 28 page recommendations Report of the Disciplined Services Commission, regarding improvements to the Georgetown, Mazaruni and New Amsterdam prisons.
So many reports, so many recommendations, so many years later and still so little change. Perhaps the current Government needs to add this nemesis to their ever growing lists of needed change. After all the populace voted for Change. Has it yet arrived? If not when?or more aptly put Guyanese style: How long more?
Yvonne Sam

Latest News

Are the inmates running the Georgetown Prison?

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Futebol Real Brazil executive Naranda Wislon visits Guyana

Windies captain Matthews cites lessons from T20I...

Powell calls for Reflection after West Indies...

Herstelling A are EBDCA/SPL T10 champs

Opinion Piece: Condemning the Nonsensical Guyana...

India produce dominant 60-run win over West...

Features/Columnists

The GRA is batting out of its crease

Let the asylum seekers go: a first step for Venezuela to rebuild relations in the Americas

Driving in Guyana, driving over Guyanese

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Are the inmates running the Georgetown Prison?

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]