Latest update April 28th, 2026 12:30 AM
Inquiry into prison disturbance begins tomorrow
A 3-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) will from tomorrow begin to assess the circumstances that led to the disturbances last week at the Georgetown Prison which resulted in the death of 17 prisoners and injury to others, including prison officers.
The recommendations will chart the way forward for improved prison facilities and procedures.
The Terms of Reference stipulate that the CoI will enquire into all circumstances leading to the death of the prisoners at the Camp Street Prison on Thursday last, report the findings and conclusions to the Minister of Public Security, and make recommendations to avoid a recurrence.
The Commission comprises Justice James Patterson, Merle Mendonca and retired Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine.
The Inquiry will investigate, examine and report on:
· The causes, circumstances and conditions that led to the disturbances on the morning of the 3rd of March, 2016 that resulted in the death of 17 Prisoners and any other subsequent disturbances at the Camp Street Prisons.
· The nature of all injuries sustained by the Prisoners during the disturbances of the 3rd of March, and any other subsequent disturbances.
· The conduct of staff of the Guyana Prison Service who were on duty on 3rd of March (to determine whether their actions were) in conformity with the Standard Operating Procedures of the Guyana Prison Service.
·Determine whether the deaths of the 17 prisoners was the result of negligence, abandonment of duty, disregard of instructions, or inaction by the Prison Officers who were on duty on the night of the 2nd of March, and the morning of the 3rd of March, 2016.
Recommendations
The Commission shall make comprehensive recommendations to ensure the security of the prisons with emphasis on improvement of the physical infrastructure, and the delivery of humane management and control of prisoners in compliance with legal and other requirements.
Rules of Procedure
The Inquiry must consider the views/positions of stakeholders who may include:
· Staff of the Prisons and their representative unions
· Members of the Judiciary
· Prisoners accommodated within the Camp Street facility
· Functionaries in the Ministries of Public Health and Social Protection
· Any other stakeholder whose input would be deemed appropriate
This commission shall render its report, findings and recommendations to the Minister of Public Security by the 15th of March, 2016 or such other date as the Minister of Public Security shall determine.
The Inquiry shall be conducted continually in the Conference Room of the Department of Public Service, Ministry of the Presidency, 164 Waterloo Street, South Cummingsburg and in such other places as the Chairman may determine.
The Inquiry shall be held in public, with reservation of the Commissioners to exclude any person/s deemed unfit for the due conduct of the Inquiry, the preservation of Order, or for any other reason.
The Commission shall commence work on the 7th of March, 2016 and the Chairman shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the Commission completes its work and submits its report within the aforesaid time.
The Chairman and one other Commissioner shall constitute a quorum.
Subject to the above, the Commission shall be governed by the provisions of the Constitution of Guyana, the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03, the High Court Act, Chapter 3:01 and any other Laws enabling.
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