Improved inmate segregation, new facilities result in reduction of prison riots – Assistant Prison Director

– as GPS gear to host Annual Officers’ Conference

Assistant Director of Prisons (Operations), Deoraj Gyandat, has revealed that the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has recorded a decline in prison riots, attributing the improvement largely to the reduction of overcrowding within the prison system.
Gyandat made the remarks during a radio programme ahead of the GPS’ Annual Officers’ Conference set to take place from Saturday, March 16, to Friday, March 20, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendall, Greater Georgetown.

During the interview, Gyandat related that the progress is partly due to the prison service capitalising on better inmate segregation and management systems, which have helped maintain order within the facilities.
“Certainly, it’s no secret that the prison service faced overcrowding in the past. With the burning of Camp Street Prison and the chaotic conditions at the Lusignan facility, we often made headlines for the wrong reasons.”
Gyandat stated that currently, inmates are classified based on several factors, including the nature of their offences, their background, and the level of threat they may pose to other prisoners and to the facility.
He noted that the introduction of new prison facilities has made it easier to properly separate inmates according to these classifications, which has contributed to the reduction in incidents.
He also highlighted the role of rehabilitation programmes in maintaining order, pointing to initiatives such as anger management sessions, educational programmes, and early developmental psychology classes being offered to inmates to support behavioural change and reduce conflict.

Gyandat further noted that the programmes are tailored to address inmates’ specific needs. He said the improvements are holistic, with better facilities, more highly trained staff, and officers equipped with non-lethal weapons. He explained that inmates have noticed these changes, which discourages them from retaliating or harming fellow prisoners. He also emphasised that proper classification and segregation remain key to maintaining order.
“We will always strive to implement more programmes as it is. I think we are in a very good place at this point in time with the programmes that we have. But there is room for improvement.”
“Of course, these programmes are tailored specifically to target the inmates, you know, as they are. So, I think holistically it is from all fronts; whereas you have better facilities, staff are more highly trained, and then you have, you know, prisoners by themselves; they see officers are more equipped with non-lethal weapons as it is. So, you know, the question of actually wanting to retaliate or not necessarily retaliate, wanting to injure a fellow inmate.”
He added that efforts are underway to modernise the prison system and move toward a more comprehensive corrections approach. According to Gyandat, achieving this vision requires improvements in facilities and systems, as corrections involve much more than simply incarcerating individuals.
The Assistant Prison Director added that the GPS is using its upcoming conference as an opportunity to advance this goal, with plans for it to eventually evolve into a regional gathering of senior prison officials.
The conference, which begins on Monday, March 16, will feature exhibitions from several international companies showcasing correctional security equipment.
“On the 16th, we will have exhibitors from different international companies presenting correctional security equipment, riot gear, scanners, and the latest technology available for security companies, as well as for prison management across the globe. To showcase this, we already have participation from 13 countries in the conference,” he said.