17 prison officers dismissed in 2022, shortage of 91 persons exists

For the year 2022, a total of 17 prison officers were dismissed from the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) for breaching security protocols.

This is according to Director of Prisons (ag), Nicklon Elliot, who noted that during the same period, the organisation lost another 31 officers, Elliot said.

Seven of them retired, 20 resigned for better employment opportunities, three died while serving the organisation and another one was relieved from duty on medical grounds.

The Prison Service has a staffing capacity of 601, but there is only 510 personnel, with vacancy existing for 91 persons.

“The staffing composition for the period stood at 510 officers with a ratio of 13:1 in the custodial section. Further, in the year 2022, an additional 35 officers were recruited into the system where they would have conducted a 12-week training programme in the area of prison management,” Elliot revealed during his remarks at the opening of the GPS Annual Officers’ Conference on Thursday.

He noted that the Prison Service is facing a number of challenges, including the longstanding issue of overcrowding, staff shortage, limited infrastructure for staff and inmates, prison-to-prison violence, and trafficking of contraband.

And to address them, Elliot said a number of areas, including security infrastructure, health facilities, agriculture development and accommodation are being enhanced with funds allocated in this year’s budget.

The prison administration is taking steps to support its Strategic Development Goals which include strengthening inter-agency collaboration in the Criminal Justice System, restructuring the GPS, enhancing Human Resource Management and modernising penal legislation, Elliot noted.