Latest update March 13th, 2026 12:35 AM
$1.5B for further infrastructure upgrades, $141.8M for officers, inmate training
– as $6B budgeted for Guyana Prison Service
(Kaieteur News) – Senior minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday revealed that $1.5 billion will be set aside for further infrastructural upgrades of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), while some $141.8 million will be set aside for the training of officers and inmates to aid in rehabilitation into society.
Presenting the 2026 national fiscal plan, Dr. Singh reminded the national assembly of the completion of the prison headquarters at Lusignan, alongside other facilities, including a female prison, a cell block and a fire suppression system.
Minister with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh
“Additional facilities were upgraded at Mazaruni and New Amsterdam prisons including a mess hall and living quarters. To this end, a sum of $2.1 billion was spent in 2025. In 2026, $1.5 billion has been allocated toward further upgrades to the prison infrastructure,” he disclosed.
The minister said there has been continued prioritisation of inmate rehabilitation, vocational training and behavioural programmes, all aimed at addressing the underlying causes of criminal behaviour, while simultaneously providing support for successful inmate reintegration.
Over 1,300 inmates have been trained in areas such as block making, carpentry, stress management and several others to date. Also 361 officers have been trained in prison management practices.
For this year, there will be advanced and comprehensive human rights and prison management training for 400 officers, ensuring that proficiencies are aligned with the new correctional mandates. Additionally, 1500 inmates will undergo training to facilitate their reintegration into society.
Dr. Singh said it is all part of government’s plan to embark on a comprehensive transformation of the prison system to establish it as a modern correctional institution through extensive infrastructural upgrades and the consolidation of strategic facilities, thereby strengthening security and safety. Hence, a whopping $6 billion is earmarked for the GPS in 2026.
Last year the GPS received $6.2 billion of the $108.9 billion allotted to the security sector, while last year’s allocation represented a $100M decrease from 2024, this year the service has been allocated $200 million less than 2025.
In last year’s speech the minister said that, “In 2025, a further 1,600 inmates will benefit from academic, behavioural modification, technical and vocational training which will cater to the diverse needs of inmates to support efforts geared towards a successful transition into society.”
He added that, 400 officers will be exposed to training in prison management techniques to enhance their skills in security, rehabilitation, and inmate management all at a budgeted sum of $140.2 million.” The 2026 budget speech revealed that a total of 361 officers were trained.
The minister told the house last year that the, “completion of the Mazaruni Prison also saw significant investments over the period which included its reconstruction, and the completion and rehabilitation of quarters and other facilities. We have also advanced several key infrastructural upgrades at the New Amsterdam Prison through the completion of officers’ living quarters, sports club, infirmary annex, kitchen, vocational school and storage and training facilities.”
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