Director of Prisons Dale Erskine charged Guyana Prison Service ranks and officers to continue to adhere to the established ethical rules in order to maintain a secure and efficient environment in the country’s prisons, when he congratulated them for their service at the Officers Annual Awards Ceremony held on October 5.
Thirty-four officers and other ranks were honoured at the ceremony, which was held at the Cecil Kilkenny Prison Officers Training School at the Lusignan Prison annex as part of activities to commemorate the 29th anniversary of Prison Service Week.
Prison Officer Dazley Grandison, of the Timehri Prison, was named the Prison Officer of the Year and Principal Officer II Beverly Critchlow Williams, Registry Supervisor of the Georgetown Prison, the runner-up, a press release from the prison service said.
Businessman and Chairman of the Guyana Prison Service Sentence Management Board Captain Gerald Gouveia offered Grandison a trip to Kaieteur Falls and Williams a trip to the Arrow Point Resort to celebrate their achievements.
A number of other officers and ranks received monetary awards and certificates for their efforts. At Prison Headquarters, the Officer of the Year award was won by Prison Officer Antonio Charles; at the Mazaruni Prison, Chief Prison Officer Raymond Bagot; at the New Amsterdam Prison, Prison Officer Shawn Hubbard and at the Lusigan Prison, Chief Prison Officer Gordon Hazel.
In addition, Prison Cadet Officer Deoraj Gyandat was among 10 officers and other ranks recognised for bravery and dedicated service. Gyandat pursued a prisoner and retrieved a parcel containing a revolver which had been thrown over the prison fence. Another 10 officers and other ranks, including catering, landscaping and community relations staff were honoured for outstanding service beyond the normal call of duty. The champion male and female athlete for the year was won by Prison Officer Jasper Joel and Woman Assistant Prison Officer Merrica Murray.
In addition, Superintendent of Prison Carl Grahame, Officer in Charge Georgetown Prison, and Superintendent of Prison Gladwin Samuels, Officer in Charge of Mazaruni Prison, were hailed for their exceptional leadership qualities.
Erskine extended gratitude to the ranks for their contributions as criminal justice professionals, while explaining that their efforts have created an “environment for inmates to acquire the skills and attitude to be effectively reintegrated in their communities,” the release said. On congratulating the awardees, he urged them to continue to conduct themselves in a manner which other ranks can emulate as this would create a sustained environment of efficiency and professionalism. The director also called on senior officers to conduct themselves well and to provide a motivating environment for junior officers, which can help them to deliver the best of their potential.
According to the release, the award ceremony was established to recognize the valuable services given by prison officers, particularly those who inspired other members of staff through their efficiency and dedication to the prison service. Several retired officers, Chairman of the Inter Prison Visiting Committee and serving members from all locations gathered to celebrate the event.
