“Rehabilitation is not weakness” – Home Affairs Minister on crime-prevention role of Guyana Prisons

“Rehabilitation is not weakness. It is a smart security policy,” Home Affairs Minister, Oneidge Waldron emphasised on Monday at the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) Senior Officers’ Conference 2026. Speaking under the theme Fostering Growth, Driving Synergy and Securing the Future of Corrections, she stressed that modern corrections must integrate rehabilitation, education and skills development to reduce crime and strengthen public safety.

“A modern correctional service must combine both. Security without rehabilitation creates a revolving door. Rehabilitation without discipline creates instability,” the Minister added. “Every individual who leaves prison with a skill, with education and with a path forward is one less person returning to crime. Rehabilitation programmes, therefore remain central to our crime prevention strategies.”
Waldron highlighted the crucial role of leadership in corrections, saying: “Your leadership shapes discipline, culture and standards across the service,” she said, emphasising that institutional transformation requires senior officers to guide staff and set high ethical and professional standards.

Progress
Meanwhile, the Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, outlined the extensive progress made by the GPS. “Over the past five years, the Government of Guyana has invested over $28 billion into the development of the prison service,” he stated, noting that the funding supports a comprehensive 10-point improvement plan. The plan includes enhancing human resource capacity, improving service delivery, strategic planning, staff retention strategies, enforcement of operational procedures, reviewing the legal framework, data-driven decision-making, revitalisation of prison industries, ethical standards and networking with regional correctional specialists. Key infrastructure projects completed in 2025 included the new Prison Headquarters at Lusignan, the Command Centre, Phase 1 of CCTV upgrades under the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) and Prison Officers’ Sports Clubs and Recreational Facilities at Mazaruni and Lusignan. Officers’ accommodations were also rehabilitated to improve living and working conditions. Education and skills development for inmates remain a major focus. “A total of 1,000 prisoners are exposed annually to skills training programmes in technical and vocational areas, behaviour modification, entrepreneurial skills and academics. I am pleased to state that the prison population has started to enroll in the Guyana Digital School platform to further improve their personal skills,” Elliot said.

Staff development
Speaking on staff development, he said this area has also advanced significantly. In 2025, six officers completed Master’s Degrees in Public Administration, human resource management, health care management, and social work; twelve officers completed bachelor’s degrees; 35 completed diploma programmes; 17 earned technical certificates; and over 362 participated in tertiary certificate programmes in prison management. Additionally, three officers are pursuing doctoral studies, while others continue master’s and bachelor’s studies in related fields.

Reintegration
Reintegration programmes are being strengthened to provide inmates with practical support upon release. “We continue to expand the reintegration process by providing prisoners with a toolkit on their release from prison, which would contribute to their employment, thus giving them a fresh start,” Elliot said. Elliot also acknowledged the demanding nature of correctional work.
“The work of prison officers is extremely high in demand due to the level of professionalism required when manning and supervising prisoners with different personalities and security risk levels,” he said, commending the dedication of staff who ensure safe custody, rehabilitation and public safety. Waldron however, urged officers to engage actively in the conference discussions. “Let the conversations be honest. Let the ideas be bold. And let the outcomes be practical. Because the work we do here ultimately affects the safety of our communities and the future of those within our correctional system,” she said.