GPS to reintroduce prison Agriculture Programme – Director

…Says 15,000 birds already procured for programme

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has recently revealed plans to resuscitate its Agricultural Programme, which made massive strides over the years with a strategic goal to maximise the production from the service’s investment in the agriculture industry.
In a recent release from the prison service, it was noted that the programme was halted for the later part of last year due to security concerns.
However, there was a review of the Standard Operational Procedures to enhance the supervision of prisoners working in the farms in order to prevent any future security breaches.
Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot emphasised that large-scale farming at all prison farmlands will be utilised to sufficiently supply the needs of the prisoners.
During a meeting with agriculture officers from various prison locations at the Prison Headquarters, Director Elliot asserted that the entire process of cultivation and harvesting of the crops, and the rearing of poultry will commence in the first quarter of this year.
The director highlighted that 12,000 broilers and 3,000 layers were already procured to commence the rearing of poultry at Lusignan and Mazaruni Prisons. Additionally, emphasis will be placed on pork and tilapia production along with the cultivation of pepper, fine leaf and broad leaf thyme.

The Director also underscored that this commitment aligns with the GPS’s strategic plan of promoting self-sustainability and providing inmates with a sense of purpose in farming and animal husbandry.
He noted that the 2025 budgetary allocation will see the service acquiring two tractors with trailer and plough along with an excavator which will aid in the land preparation and the clearing of drains. Farming is being done at the Mazaruni, Lusignan and Timehri prisons.
Notably the prisons’ agriculture programme generated an impressive $26,838,650 through crop and meat production for the year 2023, all at market value.
The Government, in 2023, allocated $5.5 billion through the Ministry of Home Affairs as a landmark move towards boosting inmates’ productivity and employability for reintegration into society.
This funding aims at creating a correctional environment that prioritises custodial safety, inmate development by equipping them with skills through the rehabilitation programme, ultimately leading to a reduction in recidivism. According to the prison service, the initiative has spurred expansion, offering more inmates valuable skills training in farming and animal husbandry. Farming is being done at the New Amsterdam, Mazaruni, Lusignan and Timehri Prisons and include the rearing chickens, ducks, pigs, sheep and cows.
The economic benefits made extends beyond profits; it represents significant cost savings for the prison service in keeping with Government’s broader agenda of food security.
Meanwhile, to enhance the livelihoods of prisoners and prepare them for life after being released, the Government has budgeted the sum of $6.2 billion for the Guyana Prison Service this year.