‘Work hard, be dedicated and strive for excellence’ – Deputy Director of Prisons tells new recruits

Dec 07, 2025 News

(Kaieteur News) – Deputy Director of Prisons Kevin Pilgrim on Saturday charged the graduands of the Basic Recruit Training Courses Two and Three of 2025 to never ‘hang their hats where their hands cannot reach’ but instead work hard and strive for excellence.

Pilgrim reminded them that it was now their responsibility to contribute positively towards the accomplishment of the mission statement of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS).

“…as you’re officers, now you have to execute your mission,” he said, while reminding the new officers to constantly recite the mission statement as a reminder of their purpose.

‘Work hard, be dedicated and strive for excellence’ – Deputy Director of Prisons tells new recruits

Deputy Director of Prisons, Kevin Pilgrim

The country as a whole is moving into a new direction as is the organization, however Pilgrim noted that when he joined the GPS it was different from what current members are exposed to.

“I hope that I’m speaking to a future director here, or some senior officer. I am hopeful that as I’m speaking you could remember or you are inspired to want to make this (your life long career. Everything that I have is because of this service,” Pilgrim said.

The senior officer told the graduands that he was afforded many opportunities by way of his dedication to service. He said those experiences helped to mould him into the man he is.

“I know that given the circumstances then that we had to work under and given the salary that you have started with now, and the circumstances that you have to work under, I know that the money is enough to give you every single thing that you need,” Pilgrim said.

He cautioned the new officers, “Don’t run according to nobody else pace. Don’t measure yourself to nobody else. Take the time and make good use of the money you have. Don’t forsake your family during this process because they keep you grounded. Don’t hang your hat where your hand can’t reach because temptations in that yard is great.”

Pilgrim urged the graduands to take note of the Guyanese proverb, “one, one dutty does build ah dam”. He reminded them that through hard work and dedication, anything can be achieved.

The ceremony, held at the headquarters at Lusignan Prisons, saw the GPS strengthening its team with the addition of 25 new prison officers, of which nine are females. The new recruits were exposed to over 20 subjects for the duration of their programme. They will now be assigned to different prisons across the country, with the majority remaining at the Lusignan Prisons.

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