170 inmates graduate after completing various rehabilitation programmes

Some 170 inmates from the various prisons countrywide have graduated after completing training courses in various programmes aimed at preparing them for reintegration into society.
The areas of training were anger management, agriculture, electrical insulation, yoga, tailoring, carpentry, joinery, literacy, welding, aquaculture, family reconciliation, charcoal production, and culinary arts.
In remarks made at the various graduation ceremonies, Director of Prions, Nicklon Elliot, said rehabilitation is a central goal of the correctional system. He noted that the GPS established the rehabilitation programme with the aim of creating an opportunity for inmates to make a smooth reintegration into society, and he said the programme has been successful to date.

Elliot added that the GPS remains committed to rehabilitating inmates so that they can have productive lives and not return to prison upon their release.
Prison rehabilitation programmes are considered impactful in promoting their physical, mental health, psychological, social, vocational, and economic potential.
As such, the Head of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has said the Service does not only identify the causes of the inmates’ anti-social behaviours, but ensures their path to reformation by impacting on their potential and subsequent change unto social functioning.
Officer-in-Charge of Prisons’ Welfare and Corrections, Marielle Bristol-Grant, disclosed that the department continues to adequately prepare inmates, whether it is with skill or educational training, so that when they are released back into society, they are productive citizens. She expressed her hope that the inmates would continue to take advantage of these opportunities, and encourage others to do the same.

Bristol-Grant further disclosed that a total of 770 inmates have completed various training programmes thus far for the year.
Such, she said, was a commitment by the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Prison Service to rehabilitate 1200 inmates for 2022.
The Government has adopted a policy of prisoners’ reform, which is done through the provision of training opportunities, allowing inmates to acquire basic income-generating skills and improve their literacy levels while serving their sentences.
Earlier this year, the Government increased the budgetary allocation in the area of training for inmates, earmarking a sum of $88.9 million to train prison inmates in an effort to further reduce recidivism and support reintegration through the Fresh Start Initiative.