BUDGET 2019: $35.6B for Security Sector

In the 2019 National Budget, the Government has allocated $35.6 billion towards consolidating and expanding the security sector, an increase of 14.5 percent over 2018.

Of this sum, about $4 billion will be expended on maintaining and improving the prison service, including a sum of $1.5B to improve and develop the prison infrastructure, to ease overcrowding and remove the need to use temporary holding areas like the Lusignan Prison facility.

This year‘s allocation will also result in the construction of the new Georgetown Prison, the continued expansion of the Mazaruni Prison Complex, and the commencement of preparatory work for the reconstruction of the New Amsterdam Prison.

Monies will be invested in the procurement of a body scanner, to detect contraband substances and improve safety at our prisons.