Christmas bonding initiative: Nearly 300 inmates reconnect with families over 2 years – GPS
Nearly 300 prisoners across Guyana have reconnected with their loved ones over the past two years through the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) “Christmas Family Bonding Visits” initiative. This year’s visits, held over the last two weeks, offered inmates and their families a unique opportunity to spend quality time together, sharing meals, exchanging hugs, and capturing precious moments in photographs.
According to the prison service, the emotionally charged atmosphere was filled with love, joy, and the healing power of family connections. Conversations flowed freely as families relished the chance to interact in a setting that normalized their relationships, away from the usual constraints of incarceration. For those behind prison walls, the chance to connect with their families in a more intimate and personal way was a rare and cherished departure from their daily routines.
Prisoners reuniting with their families
Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, praised the dedication of the staff who worked tirelessly to make the initiative a success. Recognizing the profound impact of incarceration on family life, Elliot emphasized that the Prison Service’s role is not to sever family bonds but to actively promote and sustain them.
The Christmas bonding visits were designed to foster reconnection and strengthen the ties between inmates and their families. During the visits, families shared meals in a relaxed setting. According to the prison service, the initiative is a part of its commitment to humanize the incarceration experience and supporting inmates in their journey toward positive change.
