Prison COI recommends no more overcrowding at prisons

Jun 02, 2016 News

Overpopulation at the prisons was once again highlighted when the report on the Commission of Inquiry, (COI) into the recent disturbances at the Camp Street Prisons was handed over to President David Granger yesterday.

President David Granger flanked by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State Joseph Harmon and members of the Commission.

The report, which comprised a list of recommendations, was presented to President David Granger by Chairman of the Commission, Justice James Patterson. The handing over was done in the boardroom of the Ministry of the Presidency, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive Georgetown.
Present at the simple handing over ceremony were Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Commissioners Merle Mendonca and Dale Erskine; other members of the Commission and employees of the Department of Public Service.
Hailing the occasion as “a landmark moment” President Granger lauded the Commissioners for their efforts to complete the report and to submit it within the stipulated deadline.
The Head of State expressed optimism that Guyana will not suffer a recurrence of what was described as the worst prison riot in the nation’s history.
In an invited comment following the handing over ceremony yesterday, Chairman of the Commission Justice Patterson noted that concerns were specifically raised about the issue of overcrowding at the Camp Street prison.
Justice Patterson said that the government would need to urgently address the problem.
The retired judicial officer also noted that the administration should pay more attention to reformation services offered to inmates.
“When they come out they must be able to earn something. To alleviate the crowding aspect, we would want it to be considered as urgent, the improvement of physical and social facilities. We were concerned about the overcrowding and that concern is immediate. We want it done like yesterday,” Patterson asserted.
The incident which occurred on March 3, last, claimed the lives of 17 inmates of the Camp Street Prisons; the men were said to be burnt alive after a fire broke out at the Capital Block ‘A’ building.
Following the deadly prison unrest, President Granger ordered that a COI be established. He appointed Justice James Patterson, Merle Mendonca and retired Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine as Commissioners to oversee the work.
According to the rules of procedure, the panel was expected to render its report, findings and recommendations to the Minister of Public Security.
Stakeholders whose views was considered by the Commission 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 and any other stakeholder whose input would be deemed appropriate.
President Granger subsequently ordered that an emergency meeting with officials of the Judiciary and members of the Executive be set up to discuss matters such the judicial backlog, which is said to be amongst the reasons leading to overcrowding of the prisons.
Within the past two months work was done to boost the capacity of the prisons. The Head of State said that the members of the Judiciary and of the Executive were instructed to look at issues affecting prison life.
They were ordered to examine services geared towards providing rehabilitation for the inmates.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News