THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING A NEW PRISON

Oct 16, 2015 Editorial, Features / Columnists

The idea of building a new prison in Guyana is not new. Probably two, but certainly one on the outskirts of Georgetown to replace the century old Camp Street prison which has been deemed outdated and in violation of international standards.
The current prison in Georgetown is overcrowded; its infrastructure is ancient and inefficient. Irrespective of the cost, Guyana needs a new state-of-the-art prison to house its prisoners. Although no decision has been made to build a new prison, it should be examined again with the purpose to end overcrowding and to provide humane treatment to those incarcerated.
The harsh conditions under which the inmates are forced to exist have made them worse. Indeed, some ex-convicts have admitted publicly that they have been hardened by their experience of being incarcerated in a prison that was built to accommodate fewer than half of its present inmates. It may take years before a new prison is built. This is in view of the fact that the Minister of Public Security has acknowledged the appalling state of the Georgetown prison. Not only is a new prison needed, but also a reform of the prison system to make it more humane for prisoners even though most of the citizens do not have much sympathy for those who commit serious crimes.
A key element of an effective crime-reduction plan is a prison system that is capable of reforming the incarcerated rather than a prison whose objective is to just lock-up criminals for a stipulated period. Accomplishing this, however, would require fundamental changes to the prison system, which it seems has never been given priority by the previous government.
Crime cannot be reduced by putting criminals away for a few years in a prison environment that teaches them to be more hard core criminals and then reintroduce them to society. This is a crime enhancing strategy.
It should be compulsory for every inmate before being released to participate in a rehabilitative programme that should include life skills training, entrepreneurship, goal setting, conflict resolution, anger management, and sexual health education with special focus on STD awareness.
Besides rehabilitation and providing a safe environment to the public, the government must make sure that the facility provides proper health care to all prisoners. Incarceration should not only be to deny prisoners of their freedom or restrict their movement, but should also provide them with the opportunity to work, learn a trade and earn an income.
Prison reform should be for social stability and for economic growth. Prisoners can cultivate crops and craft goods for local consumption and export.
This could spur human development and growth and provide an income for prisoners with half of their earnings given to their victims as compensation so that they can understand that justice has been served.
Incarceration should not mean prisoners are absolved from taking care of their children. As such, 25 percent of the prisoners’ wages should be used to take care of their families thus, removing the financial burden of the state to grant public assistance to their children. The remaining 25 percent of the prisoners’ earnings should be given to them upon release.
Building a new prison is just as important as prisoner rehabilitation and acquiring high-tech crime-fighting equipment. Criminals spend years in prison being unproductive at the expense of the taxpayers. These able-bodied men and women, even though confined, can still make a meaningful contribution to society.
Incarceration should not be about retribution and revenge as about enabling those who have transgressed to change and to accept society norms and values. Prison must offer a chance at redemption for those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. They should be provided an opportunity to demonstrate to their fellow Guyanese that they have changed and they should be encouraged.

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THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING A NEW PRISON

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