A convicted prisoner who is serving time at the Mazaruni Prison, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) was on Tuesday found with a large quantity of cannabis after he was searched by a prison officer.
The cannabis found in the convicted prisoner’s possession
According to information provided, the discovery was made about 07:45h after a prison guard patrolling the inner perimeter of the penitentiary noticed the prisoner acting in a suspicious manner. Reports are that at the time the inmate was in possession of a plastic bucket and upon seeing the officer, he dashed across to the prison chapel.
However, the guard immediately gave chase and he was apprehended. The bucket was checked, and 1472 grams (1.47 kilogram) of cannabis was found inside. The convicted felon was then processed for court.
One week ago, the detection of contraband on an inmate at the Lusignan Prison resulted in a riot, which subsequent led to the burning down of the structure.
The unrest started with the single search of an inmate, which led to the discovery of contraband, including two parcels of cannabis, a juice bottle containing alcohol, and a cellphone.
The situation escalated as inmates started a riot by breaking sections of the building and setting them alight. The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyana Police Force (GPF) both deployed ranks as prisoners were placed in a secured holding bay.
With the Lusignan and Camp Street penitentiaries completely destroyed by separate fires within the last three years, the three other prisons remain overcrowded. Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels on Tuesday noted that overcrowding now posed a serious challenge considering the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. (G12)
