Latest update March 12th, 2026 2:47 PM
Latest News
- Venezuela rejects Guyana’s offshore seismic exploration plans
- $100k cash grant distribution to begin next week
- Miner beaten to death, two injured at Siparuni River camp
- Probe launched after claims water dumped at Haags Bosch landfill removed for consumption
- Iran tells world to get ready for oil at US$200 a barrel
Prison Officers to take up teaching roles within service – GPS
…over 400 trained across 117 programmes in 2025
(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) on Friday said officers will be taking up teaching roles within its training department to teach inmates skills needed to reintroduce them into society.
Thirty officers attached to the service enrolled in the “trainers to trainers” programme, the first of its kind in the region, at CPCE. Here they will complete Level One and Two courses, subsequently earning an associate degree in education. Once completed, they will then join the training department of the service, teaching the inmates several skills, thus marking a huge step towards in-house education delivery for the service,” the GPS said.
Civilians historically facilitated educational programmes within the prison system, however the current approach is focused on having prison officers equipped with the skills to deliver content effectively.
In addition, another 30 officers completed the University of Guyana’s course in communication and administrative operations for correctional facilities. Another 285 officers participated in the Coursera Digital Learning Platform, where they were exposed to several leadership, management, and supervisory programmes.
Some of the Prison Officers during their various training programmes.
Acting Deputy Director of Prisons and Head of the Staff Training Department, Kevin Pilgrim, underscored that the training department met and exceeded its 2025 target, thereby completing the Five-Year Strategic Training Plan. He said the achievement demonstrates the department’s ability to meet and exceed its objectives.
He added that the training has strengthened institutional capacity, therefore enhancing professionalism, and ensuring that officers and civilians alike are better equipped to meet operational and organisational demands.
“These efforts underscore the GPS’s commitment to enhancing its personnel’s competencies and raising overall operational standards within the prison system,” Pilgrim noted.
Looking ahead, he is optimistic that the department will continue to build on its achievements, with the implementation of a balanced training matrix which will ensure officers remain equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to meet operational demands.
“Additional programmes, guided by the Public Service Ministry Annual Training Activity, as well as opportunities through Coursera, the Gold Scholarship, and other institutions, will further expand access to specialized learning and global best practices,” GPS said.
The deputy director also said that through all of these initiatives, the training department is reaffirming its commitment to excellence, continuous development, and alignment with the Guyana Prison Service’s legal framework and established procedures.
To ensure that officers and civilians alike are prepared to meet the evolving challenges of the future with competence, integrity, and resilience, there will be a sustained focus on training alongside professional growth.
“Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, indicated that all prison officers will have the opportunity to upskill at the University of Guyana and at any other institution in their field. He said this approach will strengthen decision-making skills,” the service added.
The Guyana Prison Service (GPS), through its training department, achieved a milestone in 2025 by training over 400 prison officers through 117 diverse programmes and implementing innovative initiatives to enhance professional development and operations.
Training was done through the training department of the service and there was also the implementation of innovative initiatives, which enhanced professional development as well as operations.
“Notable initiatives include a partnership with the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), the University of Guyana (UG), the Coursera Digital Learning Platform, the GOAL (Guyana Online Academy of Learning) scholarship programme, and, for the first time, training for several ranks on the use of non-lethal weapons and body cameras at facilities across Guyana,” GPS said.
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
