Effective intelligence system needed to manage crime and prisoners- Prison COI

Jul 05, 2016 News

Given its findings, the Commission of Inquiry, (COI) into the Camp Street Prison disturbance has compiled a series of recommendations towards the effective management of the prison population.
Prison gangs and availability of weapons were listed among the root causes of riots within the prisons. Director of Prisons, Carl Graham, had testified that prison wardens are constantly separating the men in an effort to break up gangs and avert conflict.
He explained that jail gangs are difficult to separate since followers are very supportive and loyal to their individual ring leaders.
Graham said the ring leaders often have followers in the other sections of the prison as well, are very influential or would have a reputation known to others due to their lifestyle prior to the period of incarceration. The ring leaders are often separated from the remainder of the population but it is also difficult because the prison accommodation is limited.
As such the COI proposed that the penal system must be supported integrally by the Guyana Police Force, (GPF) and Guyana Defence Force, (GDF) Intelligence Units.
The document outlined that high profile prisoners and prisoners with very long sentences must be strategically separated from the general population.
The recommendations came after a COI was established following the death of 17 inmates of the Capital A of the Camp Street Prison; the men were burnt to death inside the cell during a riot.
President David Granger had appointed retired Judge James Patterson, Merle Mendonca and retired Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine, as Commissioners to investigate, examine and report on the causes, circumstances and conditions that led to the disturbances on the morning of March 3, 2016.
According to the rules of procedure, the Commission was expected to render its report, findings and recommendations to the Minister of Public Security.
At the handing over of the report Justice Patterson had 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.

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