33 female inmates complete sexual offences, substance abuse training
In a significant step towards their reintegration into society, 33 female inmates at the Timehri Prison have successfully completed training in sexual offences and substance abuse programmes.
During the graduation ceremony, Officer-in-Charge Michelle Boyce, emphasised that rehabilitation is a central goal of the correctional system. She highlighted that the Guyana Prison Service established the rehabilitation programme to facilitate a smooth transition for inmates back into society.
The women who graduated from the programme
Officer in Charge of Welfare and Corrections, Tessa McGarrell, underscored the impact of prison rehabilitation programmes. She noted that these initiatives promote prisoners’ physical and mental health, as well as their psychological, social, vocational, and economic potential.
McGarrell stated that the service not only identifies the root causes of inmates’ anti-social behaviours but also ensures their path to reformation by fostering their potential for positive social functioning.
The Guyana Prison Service said it remains committed to its primary responsibility: rehabilitation. By changing the mindset of inmates and equipping them with marketable skills, the prison service aims to reduce the recidivism rate, fostering a safer and more productive society.
In this year’s budget, the government has allocated $140.2 million for the rehabilitative training of 1,600 inmates to aid their reintegration into society. This funding will also support training for prison officers.
Last year, $111.9 million was spent on training 1,520 inmates and 348 officers in various skills such as agriculture, block making, carpentry, culinary arts, IT, and prison management.
Additionally, in June last year, 309 prison officers completed training in efficiency-promoting courses, and 172 inmates from New Amsterdam and Mazaruni Prisons received training in trades like electrical insulation, welding, and plumbing.
These efforts are part of the government’s commitment to prison reform, ensuring inmates can acquire income-generating skills and improve their education during incarceration. (G9)
