GPS records significant decrease in recidivism for 2024

…attributes decline to rehabilitative programmes

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) recorded a remarkable reduction in recidivism rates for 2024, signalling a positive trend in the rehabilitation of offenders within the country’s correctional system.

Director of the GPS, Nicklon Elliot explained that the service’s concerted efforts in providing technical and vocational skills training, alongside behavioural modification and social services programmes, have contributed significantly to this achievement.
The Prison Directorate Team highlighted the importance of rehabilitative programmes in preparing prisoners for life beyond incarceration, emphasising their role in reducing recidivism rates.
Upon sharing the statistics with the managerial team on Monday, the Head of the Service’s Strategic Department Rae-Dawn Corbin stated, “Our rehabilitative programmes and the tireless work of officers and supporting staff are meeting their intended purpose of preparing prisoners with life skills that will allow them to better reintegrate into society.”
The success of Guyana’s efforts in reducing recidivism is particularly noteworthy when compared to global averages. Guyana’s recidivism rate of 14 per cent (tabulated against the current prison population) stands in stark contrast to averages reported by the Inter-American Development Bank for Australia, the United States of America, the Caribbean, and Latin America which stands at over 25 per cent.
Acknowledging the collaborative efforts and strategic developments within the prison service, Elliot attributed the successes to a multi-pronged approach led by Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn and Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall with the support for the Criminal Justice System Programme along with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) through their social crime prevention and education programme.
Coupled with the efforts of the other Ministries, private partnering facilitators, the community and critical family support.
He emphasized the commitment of the GPS to address rehabilitation efforts comprehensively, both within prison walls and in promoting reintegration into society. The GPS is committed to upskilling inmates and enhancing the capacity of its staff through training initiatives.
In 2024, over 800 inmates benefitted from training opportunities provided by internal and external trainers.
INCREASED COLLABORATIONS
Meanwhile, the Guyana Prison Service has made significant strides in strengthening its collaborative efforts with key stakeholders throughout 2024.
Through the proactive networking of several stakeholders, the service has fostered valuable relationships with leading institutions and individuals in the field of corrections.
Key collaborations include knowledge exchange with renowned figures such as Dr Julie Jailall, an education expert; Mr Todd Ishee, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Corrections; and Mr Robert Greene, Director of the American Corrections Association.
The Prison Service has also strengthened ties with international organizations like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA), and the Association of Caribbean Heads of Corrections and Prisons Services.
Furthermore, the Service has deepened its collaboration with local institutions, including the University of Guyana, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), the Ministry of Education, the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), the Ministry of Tourism, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC).
These partnerships are crucial for enhancing rehabilitation programs, providing staff and thereby, inmates with marketable skills, and facilitating successful reintegration into society.
“These strategic collaborations are critical to the continued success of the Guyana Prison Service,” said Minister Benn. The Prison Director added that the growth of these collaborations and the planned projects promise to bear much fruit in the upcoming years which he surely is looking forward to.
Meanwhile, Corbin, also noted that “By working together with esteemed institutions and expert individuals, we can leverage best practices, access valuable resources, and enhance our capacity to provide effective and humane correctional services.”
She added that the opportunity for collaborating is far from exhausted, and the Prison Administration welcomes private and public individuals and entities to join in on making a fulfilling impact in the lives of the men and women in the care of the GPS.
These collaborations will play a vital role in supporting the Prison Service’s vision of advancing national development and contributing to a more effective and just Criminal Justice System.