“Masterminds” in Lusignan Prison fire identified

…unrest started over contraband unearthed during raid

Eight inmates that were being held at the Lusignan Prison have been named as the alleged masterminds behind a fire at the penitentiary on Sunday – which destroyed the entire cell blocks.

Director of Prison, Gladwin Samuels on Monday provided an update on the incident – stating that only a section of the administrative building was saved.
“The fire was not contained before destroying all of the areas that accommodate prisoners. They were able to save a part of the admin building…As it relates to persons who set the fire, that investigation is ongoing. There were some names that we received yesterday (Sunday) as it relates to persons who are deemed to be masterminds. Eight prisoners have been named. We are aware of who those persons are,” Samuels informed.
According to him, this information will have to be investigated by the Guyana Police Force to confirm these allegations. This fire comes just a few days after the third anniversary of the Camp Street Prison fire back in 2017.
The unrest started with the single search of an inmate, which led to the discovery of contraband. This included two parcels of cannabis, a juice bottle containing alcohol and a cell phone.

At that time, another incident was also occurring simultaneously whereby a prisoner was behaving “hostile”. He was assaulted by a prison officer and taken out to the Prison’s yard, where another assault followed.
This escalated the situation whereby the inmates started a riot by breaking sections of the building and setting it alight. The Guyana Defence Force and Police Force both deployed ranks to the area where every convicted felon was filtered into a secured holding bay.

Prisoners displaced
The prison director indicated that a total of 286 prisoners were displaced; of which 156 are still at the holding bay. The bay now houses a total of 581 convicted inmates. Officers were also sent from the Lusignan facility for reinforced security.
Further, efforts were taken to transfer 27 of them to the Camp Street penitentiary, 51 to Timehri Prison and another 50 to the Mazaruni Prison.
“Our initial effort was to segregate those persons we knew could not go into the holding bay…As far as possible, we took the necessary steps to minimise placing prisoners into the holding bay who we are aware have problems or conflict with prisoners who are living in the holding bay. That assessment is continuing,” he expressed.
Guyana Times understands that 11 persons sustained injuries – two of which were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital and subsequently discharged back into Police custody. Throughout the episode, a number of persons attempted to escape but their plans were thwarted through collaborative efforts from the Disciplined Services.
It was noted that since the March elections, the prison facility was in a heightened level of security and this remains to date.
The Prison Service’s capacity to hold inmates is significantly influenced by the incomplete Mazaruni Prison extension, as well as works to restore the Georgetown penitentiary. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both projects were put on hold but contractors have indicated their interest in resuming shortly.
When asked about rebuilding the Lusignan structure, caretaker Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan stated that it is yet to be considered since the Mazaruni facility will cater for 400 additional inmates at the point of completion of Phases One and Two. Meanwhile, the Georgetown project will allow for 180 convicts.
Another factor under consideration is the budgetary allocation which this project will consume, a matter that requires input from the Finance Ministry.
This is the third major fire at a prison in Guyana, under Ramjattan’s tenure as Public Security Minister.
Following the 2017 deadly fire at Camp Street, Georgetown Prison and 2017 prison escape, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic moved a motion in Parliament to have the APNU/AFC Government accept responsibility for tragic events at the prison. This was after the Government and more so Ramjattan was not forthcoming with details relating to the fire, during which four prisoners escaped. The motion was subsequently defeated but there was much discussion also on prison reform. However, not much has been done since in the area of reform. (G12)