IDB to finance mental health, substance abuse training for prison officers

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has announced plans to finance the training of 60 prison officers in mental Health, neurological disorders, and substance abuse as part of the Guyana Prison Service’s (GPS) First Responder Training.
This groundbreaking initiative, set to be fully accredited by the University of Guyana, aims to equip prison staff with essential skills to handle complex issues within correctional facilities.

A recent visit by key representatives of the IDB to the Lusignan Prison on the East Coast of Demerara shed light on the upcoming endeavor. Led by Dr. Jason Wilks, the IDB team, accompanied by Operations Analyst Joel Parris and Project Manager Indira Anandjit, received a comprehensive tour of the facility on Wednesday.
During the visit, discussions centered on various facets of the IDB-funded projects, including the Prisoners’ Management Information System (Pri-MIS), the establishment of a new Mental Health Unit, Trade Shops, and the provision of tools and equipment for the Computer Lab.
The IDB’s consistent contribution to Guyana’s Criminal Justice System, aimed at enhancing equity, efficiency, and transparency, was underscored during the interactions.
Under the Support for the Criminal Justice System (SCJS) program, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has recently received ICT equipment worth over $30 million, along with items for the Mental Health Unit and other essential tools. This continued support reflects the IDB’s commitment to fostering development within correctional institutions.
The visit was facilitated by prominent figures within the Guyana Prison Service, including Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot, Acting Deputy Director Kevin Pilgrim, Head of the Prisons Service’s Strategic Management Department Rae-Dawn Corbin, and Senior Superintendent of Prisons Deoraj Gyandat.
The forthcoming training initiative underscores the IDB’s proactive approach to addressing pressing issues within correctional facilities, signaling a significant step towards enhancing the capacity of prison officers to effectively manage mental health and substance abuse disorders among inmates.