PSC calls for details on released, escaped inmates

Jul 12, 2017 News

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) wants the authorities to give detailed information on the number of prisoners who have escaped custody, as well as the number of those who were released on bail. Further, the Commission has given a list of steps it thinks should be taken to prevent the worsening of Guyana’s current situation. Yesterday, PSC released a statement offering condolences to the family of Prison officer Odinga Wickham.
The Commission also acknowledged the injured prison staff and prisoners and expressed hope for a speedy recovery.
The PSC thanked the officers and ranks of the Guyana Prison Service for the good job done battling “the raging inferno and revolting prisoners before reinforcements of police began to arrive at the Georgetown prisons. The ranks of the Guyana Fire Service also need to be commended for their brave efforts at fighting the raging inferno in the prison compound while facing off violent attacks by the revolting prisoners. We thank the Army and Police for their successful efforts at the containment of what could have been a larger disaster in our country in terms of loss of life and serious threat to public safety and security.”
The PSC said that it has taken note of the reported events that led up to the fire at the Camp Street Prison and the resultant state of fear and apprehension that now exists in the society.
The Commission said that over many years it followed with disappointment the slow pace of addressing and implementing measures to mitigate the results of a slow court system, the mixing of remand and other prisoners with serious crime prisoners and other causal factors that have led to the current situation.
“We note that the deterioration of the prison system was not paid enough attention to by our Political leaders generally over time. Efforts to speed up the decision making of the judiciary was not enough which has resulted in overcrowding, corruption and general decay of a once successful system,” the PSC stated.
The PSC urged the Government of Guyana to “declare fully the identities of persons being granted bail and those being released in any way, together with histories and other information and also for the police to monitor, wherever possible, these persons.”
The Commission also urged the authorities to publish the true and accurate count of prisoners held prior to the incident, the amount transferred and the unaccounted prisoners.
The PSC said that lack of accurate official information has created much room for speculation and is fueling fear in the society.
“We also note with awe the statement by Minister Ramjattan that ‘when you are going to serve a five year term——If you are of good behaviur, you can get some remission from me. I can give you as the Minister and the authority.”
The PSC, having sought legal advice, is of the view that the Minister is not empowered to do so and that this statement should be corrected.
The Commission said that it is disappointed that much of the COI on the Prisons was not implemented “and monies allocated by the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Public Security remained unspent.”
The Private Sector body recommends that: the government immediately fast track the modification of the Mazaruni Prison; the facilities in Georgetown should be for Prisoners awaiting trial only; ensure more Civil Society leaders are placed on Prison-related Boards and immediately look at working conditions for Prison officers.”
Further, the PSC recommends that government, “Push the Judiciary harder to catch up on back logs; Consider Privatizing the Prison system and review proposals for the establishment of a half- way house in the rehabilitative process.
The PSC further urged the government to “ensure the re-capturing of the dangerous prisoners that are on the loose”.
“Simultaneously we urge the citizens to report any and all suspicious incidents to the Guyana Police Force. The occurrences of Sunday must not be repeated. It could have been much worse. The PSC holds the Government of Guyana accountable and ask that top priority be given to the entire process of Prison reform.”

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