Shortage of staff, other factors blamed for recent prison breaks – Prisons Director

…says staff recruitment, upgrades to all three prisons underway

Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels is of the view that staff shortage is a factor in the repeat prison breaks from the Lusignan Prison; but efforts are underway to remedy this, including the recruitment of more staff and the expansion of the prison.

Samuels made this disclosure on Monday when he was quizzed by the media about the increase in prison escapees from the Lusignan penitentiary. While he assured that this is not an excuse, Samuels revealed that they were below the recommended staff to prisoner ratio during previous escapes.
“If you look at a population of 500 prisoners, really you should have more than 25 staff on duty. On the night in question [the recent escape] it was thirty per cent of that… I’m not saying that as an excuse. We still have to make best use with the resources we have, to ensure that this nation is safe,” the Prisons Director explained.

“There are a number of issues that would affect the number of staff available to work at the prison. You have persons who have to be given off-duty. They may have to report sick. Several times you may have prisoners in hospital. We have to provide staff to oversee them,” he added.
He noted that all these factors, coupled with already reduced staff, have contributed to the shortfall. However, Samuels assured that efforts are being made to address the problem, with the recruitment of additional staff to adequately complement the workforce.
“That is why, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, we have received the green light to recruit 28 recruits, who we have commenced training with. We have also been given directives for how we can add to our staffing. Those recommendations are being looked at.”
Added to this, the Lusignan Prison is expected to be expanded soon. Samuels explained that a new facility is currently being designed and the contract to construct it will hopefully be awarded by the end of the year. Work is also being done at the other prisons.
“The Mazaruni Prison is currently being expanded. Phase one of that project should be completed and ready for use by January, latest February of 2021. That will see the capacity increase by 200. Work is also ongoing [at the Camp Street Prison] and hopefully, the cell blocks will be [included in] budgetary allocations come 2021.”
“Further to that, a decision was taken for [a building to be constructed] at Lusignan [Prison]. This is currently in the design stage. Hopefully, before the end of this year, that contract should be awarded and we will see a facility being built there with an average capacity of 1000 prisoners,” Samuels explained.
Recently, two prisoners escaped from the Lusignan Prison Holding Bay. Those who escaped are Phillip Jhogroo of Lot B3 Good Intent, Leguan, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), and Donald Baird of Hardina Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown – both of whom were indicted for murder.
It was reported that the escape occurred between 01:28h and 01:48h on Saturday. However, Officer in Charge, Superintendent Alstan Scott reported the matter a few hours later.
It was during a routine check that an improvised rope made of bedsheets was seen hanging from the southwestern corner of the prison fence.
This prompted a physical muster and it was discovered that the aforementioned prisoners were unaccounted for. Further investigations confirmed that they escaped from the facility by scaling the section of the fence where the improvised rope was found.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is also part of the team that is probing the incident and working to recapture the criminals. Family members were warned not to offer any support to the escaped inmates.
Last month, three inmates also escaped from the Lusignan Prison by jumping a fence. After a manhunt was launched, two of them were recaptured at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), hours later.
Those recaptured were: Alex Mathias of Good Hope Dock Yard, Essequibo, who was committed to stand trial for murder with his case underway at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, and Arnold Kenne dy, of Lot 847 Zeeburg Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
The third fugitive was Mark Rafino of Good Intent, West Bank Demerara (WBD), who was committed to stand trial for robbery.