A President, broken and tentative, only released 9 inmates

Mar 01, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I noticed with much heartache that for the 47th Republic Anniversary, President David Granger pardoned only nine persons and all were women. This fact is very heart breaking for me, if only because I think that circumstances forced the President to do what he did. Before I give my interpretation of the circumstances (which I believe you already know), let me take you back to a promise Mr. Granger made, while he was still in the unbridled euphoria of his elevation to the Presidency. Mr. Granger promised and pledged that annually, he will release 60 ex-offenders (mostly males) and that he will do it because he thinks it is the right thing to do.
Slow march to just two years after that very public and decisive pronouncement and what do we find? We find a President so broken and tentative, that he is forced to reduce his ambitious numbers to a mere fraction of his initial pledge.
When the President made his original pledge, I was overwhelmed with joy, for several reasons. One of which is simply because it make sense. Also, it is a practice of Governors, Senators and Judges all across North America because it helps to reduce prison cost. It also serves at giving those released a second chance. Most of the prisoners in Guyana (upwards of 80% of them), are repeat offenders. Many of them are from broken homes and began their life of criminality (like I did), by committing petty crimes. I was also happy for the President’s announcement because crime and recidivism are epidemic realities which have defined us as a nation.
Another reason I was embolden by the announcement was because I had discussed a formal rehabilitation program with several of those within the leadership of Government. I had also given them a turn-key proposal of how this rehabilitation, best practice, program can be implemented here in Guyana. I had explained to them that I was responsible for spearheading a similar program in the USA. I gave them references of persons within the US Department of Corrections and also some internet links for them to view some of my work. And so the announcement made me think that they were planning to implement a formal, post-release, rehabilitation program, like I had outlined and suggested.
Imagine then, my surprise when I was told that not only was there no ex-offender rehabilitation program in place but further, that those released from prison would be free and clear of all charges and would have no accountability tied to their release. It immediately became obvious that the President was not being advised by anyone who understands criminality, criminology, or the concept of paroling – vis-a-vis the criminal mindset. The program was destined to be in trouble.
Guyana has a struggling pre-release offender rehabilitation plan but not one single post-release rehabilitation program. What that means is that the folks going into prison and then returning to the society are not likely being engaged in any satisfactory rehabilitation course. And if they do benefit from some academic or industrial program while incarcerated, when they are released, there is no continuum.
So now let’s return to my initial premise. The prison system in Guyana is made up of just about 5% females. Yet this year, of the 60 inmates the President pledged to release, he only released females, nine (9) of them. Not one single male.
Since this new administration began their tour of duty the crime situation has not satisfactorily subsided. Additionally, there is no clear way of tracking whether or not some of the released ex-offenders are actually involved in the current, nagging, criminal activities. Additionally, the President’s initiative lacked the necessary transparency needed for it to attract any sustained public support. These realities have no doubt put a damper on the President’s goodwill and justifiable gesture. So this initiative which was intended to reduce the prison population, save tax payers substantial amounts of money and gave offenders a second chance has now been significantly curtailed, mostly because sufficient advice was not given to the President.
Editor, may I say in closing that the Guyana crime problem is solvable however, it will take some bold initiatives, guided by professionals in the field. Also, the venture by the President is humanistic and besides, it is very practical. The President needs to regroup, put systems in place to ensure checks and balances and then continue with his worthwhile initiative. The society is not safer with more people in prison. The society is safer when those incarcerated are taught to change from their criminal ways to more socially acceptable behaviour. What is needed to assist in reducing our incidents of crime is a formal post-release, ex-offender rehabilitation program. You cannot wish crime away, any more than you can piecemeal ex-offender rehabilitation. If it’s going to be effective, it must be done properly.
Pastor Wendell P. Jeffrey

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