Overcrowding at Lusignan a serious concern – Prison Director

In light of the recent fire that devastated sections of the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara, last week, Prison Director Gladwin Samuels noted that overcrowding now poses a serious challenge taking into account the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

In an update on the situation, Samuels told Guyana Times that the area where the prisoners are currently kept is overcrowded although 27 inmates were sent to the Camp Street penitentiary, 51 to Timehri Prison, and another 50 to the Mazaruni Prison.
Samuels had indicated that a total of 286 prisoners were displaced, of which 156 are still at the holding bay. He, nevertheless, stated that investigations into the fire are underway.
Police Commander of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Subdivision C (East Coast Demerara), Assistant Police Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor when contacted on an update on the investigation explained that a number of statements have been taken and once the probe is completed, legal advice will be sought.
Guyana Times understands that eight inmates were being held but up to Monday, one of them had been singled out as the alleged “mastermind.”
On the day in question, the fire started after an investigation was launched into the discovery of marijuana in one of the holding areas. Apart from the two parcels of cannabis, a juice bottle containing alcohol, and a cell phone were also discovered.
As a result of the fire, 11 persons were injured – two of which were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital to receive further medical attention. No one escaped during the commotion.
As soon as the fire started, the Joint Services were immediately dispatched to the area to bring the situation under control.

Following the 2017 deadly fire at Camp Street, Georgetown Prison, and 2017 prison break, 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, former Public Security Minister 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.