Anger management programme reduces violence in prison – GPS

…as 27 inmates graduate from training
The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has announced that an anger management programme that they have recently launched in the prisons has contributed to a reduction in the frequency of prisoner-to-prisoner violence at various prisons in Guyana.
The programme was conducted by Empower Guyana and was well received by the inmates at the location, who are now considered Peace Ambassadors.
On Thursday last, 27 inmates graduated from the 12-week anger management programme, and their families were able to attend.

At the graduation ceremony, Officer in Charge of the Prisoners’ Welfare and Corrections, Marielle Bristol-Grant stated that enhancing inmates’ ability to manage their emotions is paramount to promoting peace within their respective prison environments.
She added that this is considering the fact that they are living amongst people of different walks of life, with varying morals and values.
Meanwhile, the Officer in Charge of the Lusignan and Georgetown B Prison (ag) SOP Carlton Cameron in his remarks commended the inmates on their commitment and highlighted the change in their general behaviour within the prison.
The Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot reminded inmates of the transition to corrections and the emphasis that has been placed on training programmes. He urged them put into practice the coping skills and diffusion tactics garnered during the twelve weeks, to promote peace within the prison as well as when they return to society.
The anger management programme is currently ongoing at all prison locations.
Earlier this year, the GPS was tasked with the responsibility of preparing inmates for re-integration into society.
As such, the Government 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.
To this end, 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.
Training in the field of carpentry, joinery, block making, tailoring, digital skills, cosmetology, crops husbandry, and, cosmetology have already commenced.