Consider removing the Georgetown Prison - Prison COI report

Consider removing the Georgetown Prison – Prison COI report

Jun 12, 2016 News

The report on the Commission of Inquiry into the March 3, 2016 Camp Street Prison disturbance has recommended that the State consider the removal of the Georgetown Prison from the centre of the city.
The COI established to inquire into the deadly fire, which claimed the lives of 17 prisoners at the Georgetown Prison in March. The COI was ordered by President David Granger.
The President appointed Justice James Patterson, Merle Mendonca and retired Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine as Commissioners to oversee the work. The panel is expected to investigate, examine and report on the causes, circumstances and conditions that led to the disturbances on the morning of March 3, 2016, that resulted in the death of prisoners and any other subsequent disturbances at the Camp Street Prisons; the nature of all injuries sustained by the Prisoners, and any other subsequent disturbances.
According to the report on the two-month inquiry seen by the newspapers, Commissioners have pointed out a number of deficiencies in the Guyana’s penal system. Among these, is the gross overcrowding and lack of adequate infrastructure within the prison facilities.
The report highlighted a number of infrastructural deficiencies, including the non-completion of the new Brickdam Prison which has placed unnecessary burden on the overcrowded Georgetown Prison. Recommendations were made for the complete construction of the new prison at Lusignan and upgrading Mazaruni Prison facilities to improve the prison holding capacity of prisoners under humane conditions.
According to the document “This prison has the capacity to house an additional 250 prisoners.”
The commission also noted the archaic state in which food in the prison is prepared.
The report said that infrastructure for cooking quality food is grossly unsatisfactory and notwithstanding the food may be palatable, the manner in which it is prepared with fire wood will always be a recipe for protests by prisoners.
Additionally, proposals were made for Capital A Block be renovated and be named ‘Centre of Learning and Reconciliation” for prisoners.
“It should have a good library with appropriate technology and other supporting material to aid inmates to develop themselves,” the document stated.
“Enhance the structure and equipment at the Cecil Kilkenny Prison Officers’ Training School at Lusignan to create a receptive learning environment for prison officers.”
The Commission also proposed a review of the internal walls of high security blocks to avoid prisoners breaking through them along with more effective system of lighting in dormitories to be introduced to avoid tampering and turning off of lights by prisoners in divisions.

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