GPS prioritises mental health, wellness for inmates and officers

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) is putting mental wellness at the heart of its 42nd anniversary celebrations, emphasising that rehabilitation is not only physical but emotional and psychological. Assistant Superintendent of Prisons, Twain Hemerding, said that mental health awareness among officers is a growing priority.
“Today [October 10] being World Mental Health Day, we can’t have the officers just working, working, being burned out,” he said. He explained that activities—ranging from sports to cooking competitions—offer important breaks from the intensity of correctional work, helping staff manage stress and maintain morale.

“So many of them look forward for this activity to come and compete—not really compete rigorously, but just compete in a fun way… relating with their peers after not seeing them for probably six months.” Meanwhile, the Welfare and Corrections Division is ensuring that the same attention is given to inmates. Tessa McGarrel, who oversees welfare programmes, described how the Service supports the emotional and psychological well-being of those in its care. “We have inmates involved all day in different activities,” she said. “Rather than having them in the cell all day, we bring them out. They do recreational activities… motivational talks among themselves.” She noted that the Service’s mental health initiative goes beyond simple engagement—it includes continuous education, counselling, and medical collaboration. “We also have our medical staff that would go around and let them know about chronic illnesses, how to take care of their mental health, and so on,” McGarrel explained. “We also have our mental health section that would deal with – if we cannot deal with them internally, then we relate with the mental health section for the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) that would address that aspect.” The programme is holistic, ensuring that both men and women in custody receive attention to their mental and emotional needs. “We ensure that we take care of every aspect of the man and the woman when they are with us,” she added. Assistant Director of Prisons (ag), Olivia Cox, commended these efforts, noting that the Service’s mission is not just to confine but to correct. “Looking back from where we came… to now, we’ve achieved a whole lot,” Cox said. “We’re not just saying that we’re moving from penalty to correction—we’re actually achieving it.” As the GPS continues its journey of transformation, its leadership agrees that mental health care is central to building a safer, more rehabilitative correctional system—one that respects the humanity of every person inside its walls.