In the wake of another breakout yesterday from the Lusignan Prison, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) released an August 28th letter it sent to Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan raising serious concerns about the state of penal institutions in the country and urging that swift steps be taken to address the security issues.
In the letter, the PSC said that it was becoming increasingly concerned by a number of issues affecting the prisons in Guyana and therefore public safety in the country.
Signed by Captain Gerald Gouveia, Chair-man, Governance and Security Sub-Committee, the letter said that a recent meeting of the Management Board of the Prisons had highlighted a number of serious matters which should be addressed with the utmost urgency.
“Issues brought to the fore include a general lack of adequate security at all of the prisons, a lack of fire prevention systems, the lack of transportation facilities to enable movement of prisoners and food, where necessary, and the inadequacy of the current complement of prisons to safely house the prison population.
“These issues can be seen as requiring short term and longer term solutions. The matter of security, for instance, presents a clear and present danger to the prison warders and the public at large. Another burning issue is the lack of fire prevention systems in the prisons, most of which are constructed of wood. The Private Sector Commission is concerned that, after two devastating prison fires, resulting in loss of lives and the escape of dangerous criminals, enough is not being done to prevent further fires”, the letter stated.
It said that other matters highlighted by the Management Board included the absence of adequate funding for the replacement of necessary equipment and vehicles.
“While the (PSC) is concerned about the safety and security of the public, it is also disturbed by the less than humane conditions under which the prison population at the Lusignan Prison is housed. These prisoners are made to sleep under sheds in the open, posing health risks to the prisoners and a danger to the wardens. We are of the opinion that these conditions could also have an impact upon the country’s Human Rights ranking”, the letter added.
The PSC added that it believes that the “vexed question of internal security is one that is hampering investor confidence and one that must be prioritised by our Government”.
