“Do The Right Thing” campaign expands into the Guyana Prison Service

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) is adopting a renewed focus on ethics, accountability, and rehabilitation through the ‘Do The Right Thing’ campaign—an initiative initially launched to promote road safety but later expanded to various sectors of public service.

Now, corrections officers and inmates alike are being encouraged to uphold discipline and integrity as part of their daily routines.
Speaking on the televised programme “Prisons in Focus”, Rae-Dawn Corbin, Head of the Strategic Management Department at the GPS, explained how the initiative has taken root within the prison system.
“In the prison service, as the mantra has evolved, it’s doing the right thing in everything you do,” she stated. “It has evolved to doing the right thing on a day-to-day basis… ensuring you adhere to your SOPs [Standard Operating Procedures], ensuring that you are doing your best, ensuring that the rules of the service are absolutely upheld.”
The “Do The Right Thing” campaign was officially expanded on Republic Day (February 23, 2025), reinforcing a nationwide message of personal responsibility and ethical decision-making. Within the GPS, this means officers are held to higher professional standards, while inmates are encouraged to adopt positive behaviours that support their rehabilitation.
“Similarly for the inmates, do the right thing and you will reap the rewards,” Corbin added, emphasising the role of discipline and good behaviour in the correctional environment.
This initiative aligns with the broader transformation of the GPS, which was a key focus of the recent Senior Officers Conference. The event, themed “Changing Culture and Mindsets for Corrections,” brought together local, regional, and international experts to discuss the modernisation of prison management and the importance of rehabilitation over punishment.
As part of this shift, programmes such as the Fresh Start Initiative have been introduced, providing inmates with training in carpentry, tailoring, masonry, and anger management to reduce recidivism and support reintegration into society.
Officials believe the “Do The Right Thing” campaign will complement these efforts by fostering a culture of responsibility and reform, both among officers and those in custody.
The initiative is also a reflection of the Government’s commitment to improving the correctional system. With ongoing training programmes for prison staff, increased educational opportunities, and stronger regional collaborations, the GPS is positioning itself as a model for correctional reform in the Caribbean.
As the “Do The Right Thing” campaign continues to take hold within the prison system, officials are optimistic about its impact. By reinforcing integrity among officers and accountability among inmates, the GPS is working toward a safer, more rehabilitative environment, one where discipline and second chances go hand in hand.