Official hiding reports of sexual activities between staff and inmates – source

New NOC sex scandal

A senior official of Guyana’s largest juvenile detention centre — the New Opportunity Corps at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) — is being accused of covering up several instances of sexual activity occurring between inmates and staff members at that institution.

A staff member has said this matter has been reported on several occasions, but the issue is being pushed under the carpet. This source related that a senior official (name withheld) has since developed close relationships with a number of staff members, and those relationships involve him sweeping accusations of sexual misconduct under the rug.
The inside source told Guyana Times that, in the past months, there have been approximately six female inmates reporting sexual activities and inappropriate behaviour from two particular staff members, and nothing has been done about it.
“On previous occasions, the female students would be writing letters to male staff members about their feelings and so on, and when you bring it to the attention of the management, nothing is being done,” the source revealed.
“After the male teachers receive these letters, they would call the female students into their office and they would kiss them up and do all sorts of things to them. Plenty times the staff members would witness these things, and when they talk, their voices are not being heard. There are several reports being made to both the previous Ministry of Education and this one, but Mr (name withheld) would just say that it is untrue and continue to cover up for the men,” the source related.
This person further stated that the senior official would even make sexual advances towards the female staff members, and when they refuse his advances, they would be subjected to undue pressure and other acts of victimisation. The source added that there currently are two other members of staff (names provided) who are in active relationships with the female minors, but no action is being taken against them.
“One is a driver and the other one is an agriculture instructor. The driver one had to be re-assigned because some of the students were pressuring to get the matter taken further,” the source explained.
The source further related that the female inmates are also being impregnated by both staff members and male inmates, often resulting in abortions. In 2013, an investigation had to be launched by the then Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry after three inmates were discovered pregnant.
The New Opportunity Corps houses youths between the ages of 10 and 18, after they are sentenced there by the courts to participate in correctional programmes lasting up to three years. Most of them are sentenced there for petty offences, such wandering, minor assault and theft. However, over 50 percent of the more than 100 inmates are at the NOC for wandering.

There are separate dormitories for males and females. However, understaffing and general favouritism are being blamed for the illegal relations, according to the source.
Apart from condoning an illegality, the source also accused the senior official of inviting friends into the NOC compound after hours to participate in parties.
Several accusations of rape have been levelled against both ministry officials and NOC staffers in the past.
Since the Coalition Government came into power, responsibility for the NOC has been assigned to the Social Protection Ministry.
However, when Guyana Times reached out to NOC administrator Mark Dover for a comment on the issue, it was told to call back on Monday.