Rehabilitation requires public, NGO, and family support – Prison Service

Rehabilitation of incarcerated persons cannot be achieved by the Guyana Prison Service alone but requires the collective involvement of families, non-Governmental organisations, and community stakeholders, prison officials have said.
Speaking during a recent episode of the televised programme “Prison in Focus”, Welfare Officer attached to the Lusignan Prison, Dawn Sumner-London, stressed that rehabilitation extends far beyond incarceration.
“Rehabilitation is not just to incarcerate the person or allow the person to be incarcerated. The rehabilitation programme, rather, is to help inmates to gain skills so that they will be able to make better life decisions,” Sumner-London said.
She noted that external support plays a critical role in ensuring inmates are properly prepared for reintegration into society.

“Rehabilitation is not just about the prison service. We need all stakeholders. Your family members, we need NGOs. It is a collaborative effort,” she added.
According to Sumner-London, the Prison Service has benefited from partnerships with various organisations that assist in skills training and behavioural development.
“We are grateful to persons who collaborate with the Guyana Prison Service to provide training rehabilitation programmes, faith-based organisations, and so on, so that we are able to train and rehabilitate our incarcerated brothers and sisters.”
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Prisons David Shepard also underscored the importance of family involvement, noting that family bonding initiatives form a core component of rehabilitation.
“The family bonding in itself is a part of rehabilitation,” Shepard stated.
He urged relatives of inmates to remain engaged throughout the incarceration period, explaining that maintaining family ties positively influences behaviour and emotional stability.
“Once you treat a prisoner humanely and with respect, you will see that coming back. You will reciprocate, and that way, you will build that trust between you and that inmate.”
Officials reiterated that rehabilitation is a shared responsibility and that community participation is vital to reducing reoffending and supporting successful reintegration.

Guyana is in the final stages of overhauling its prison legislation, with the Draft Prison Bill set to replace the Prison Act of 1957, which has governed the operations of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) for decades. The existing law, last amended in 1975, primarily emphasises custody and punishment and outlines the powers of the Director of Prisons, staff duties, and oversight by the Minister of Home Affairs.
The new Bill represents a significant shift in approach, moving away from punitive measures toward rehabilitation and reintegration. It mandates the implementation of structured rehabilitation and improvement programmes aimed at preparing inmates for life after incarceration, while aligning Guyana’s prison management framework with international best practices in corrections.
Since 2021, the GPS has benefited from its largest-ever Government investment, exceeding $28 billion under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration. This funding has modernised prison infrastructure, improved professional standards, and supported the transition from punishment-based incarceration to rehabilitation-focused correction.
Major upgrades at the Lusignan, Mazaruni, and New Amsterdam Prisons have eliminated overcrowding, while inmates now participate in accredited vocational training programmes in areas such as carpentry, joinery, masonry, and other skilled trades. These initiatives are designed to support reintegration and reduce reoffending.
The GPS is also reviewing its laws, standing orders, and strategic plans as part of a broader reform agenda aimed at strengthening rehabilitation services, enhancing staff training, and modernising prison operations.
Guyana currently records the lowest recidivism rate in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at 14 per cent, a figure attributed to sustained investment in rehabilitation, vocational training, behavioural programmes, and collaboration with Government agencies and community stakeholders. As of July 2025, Guyana’s prison population stands at 2239 inmates.