“Lock-ups must be humane” – Minister Benn to Police

…says harsh conditions create disrespectful justice system

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has called for police stations and by extension, lockups across the country to become more humane environments, emphasising the need for proper amenities to ensure the dignity and well-being of individuals held in custody. Benn made this comment during the Guyana National Road Safety Stakeholders Forum 2025, held at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, Georgetown. According to the Minister, his call for more humane conditions stemmed from firsthand experiences visiting local lockups, which brought to light serious issues in how detainees are treated.
“I’m saying to the police, I opened a police station the other day, the police station must be a welcoming place for people. It must be a place where those who are traumatised, which could be both the victim and the perpetrator, can feel calm. The police station, even the lockups, should have beds, pillows and proper amenities for people to sleep on at night.”

He then added that he was deeply traumatised by one particular experience where he witnessed the conditions of a local lock up. “Because I was traumatised myself when I went to the Providence Police Station one time and saw four young ladies lying on the cold floor, probably around 3 o’clock in the morning. It’s disrespectful to them, to us, to the wider society – and it creates a disrespectful criminal justice system.” Further, Benn emphasised the need for a cultural shift in how people treat one another.
“We don’t have to treat ourselves the way we were treated by others many years ago. We’ve inherited these behaviours and attitudes toward each other – they’re inherited. I don’t think they’re imprinted in our DNA, but we’ve inherited them and we’ve got to let those things go. We have to treat and deal with each other on a better level – on a higher level. That’s what we have to do.” Efforts have already been made to improve the state of lockups in recent years.
Only last week the Sparendaam and Mahaica Police Stations, along with a newly-completed Police Living Quarters at Cove and John, were declared opened.
In July the over $191 million newly reconstructed Kitty Police Station was commissioned by Benn. Also in July, the newly reconstructed over $170 million Den Amstel Police Station and $over 130 million New San Souci Police Station, Wakenaam were commissioned. The newly constructed over $118 million Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station was also recently commissioned.
The new US$28 million Police Headquarters along Brickdam is currently under construction. The 12-storeyed building is expected to be completed by mid-next year. In June, Benn visited Region One (Barima-Waini) there the reconstruction of the Imbotero Police Station is ongoing. The cost of that project is $144.9 million.