101 prison officers promoted

Mar 06, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – As part of efforts to strengthen leadership and operational oversight within the country’s correctional system, 101 officers within the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) were on Thursday promoted.

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the promotions span supervisory, administrative and technical levels and are aimed at expanding command capacity, improving middle-management oversight and supporting security and rehabilitation reforms across prison facilities.

The promotion includes five Superintendents of Prisons, 13 Assistant Superintendents of Prisons, two Cadet Officers (Internal) on probation, 17 Chief Prison Officers, 28 Principal Prison Officers II, 23 Principal Prison Officers I, 12 Prison Trade Instructors and one Coxswain.

Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond and some of the prison officers who were promoted

Among those elevated to Superintendent of Prisons are Tessa Mc Garell, Roddy Denhert, Joylyn Scott, Steve Baker, and Abeide De Cunha. The promotions to Assistant Superintendent of Prisons include Rayon Emanuel, Colin Thorne, Jennifer James, Desmond Darlington, Glexroy Thomas, Antonya Charles, Carlos Matthews, Royston Robinson, Stuart Lewis, Hubert Trim, Medina Hopkinson, Dazley Grandison, and Justin Eastman.

The MOH described the exercise as “the most comprehensive advancement exercise in recent years, reinforcing Government’s commitment to strengthening correctional leadership and institutional stability.”

According to the ministry, the promotions form part of broader efforts under the administration of President Irfaan Ali to modernise the prison system by investing in human resources alongside ongoing infrastructure upgrades.

The ministry said that after thorough administrative and procedural reviews, the promotions are expected to restore structured career progression within the service, improve succession planning and strengthen accountability across correctional institutions.

Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond posited that, “These promotions place trusted officers in positions of greater responsibility. Secure facilities and effective rehabilitation depend on their discipline, fairness, and daily commitment to lawful and humane custody.”

Minister Walrond urged those promoted to pursue continuous personal development, while noting that, “Advancement within the Service must be accompanied by academic progression and skills-building.”

Further, it was outlined that the promotions support a comprehensive reform programme, including infrastructure modernisation at the Lusignan and Mazaruni prison facilities and other locations; enhanced security systems with electronic monitoring; professional training for more than 150 officers in 2026 in correctional management and human rights standards; and skills-based reintegration programmes aimed at strengthening pathways for inmates.

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Guyana Prison Service, Oneidge Walrond, Prison Officers, promoted

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