UG students engage in internship at Lusignan Prison

Six final-year Social Work diploma students of the University of Guyana are embarking on their practical assessment journey at the Lusignan Prison, and are using this opportunity in a unique and transformative way.
The initiative is spearheaded by the acting Deputy Director of Prisons, Training Officer Kevin Pilgrim, along with Prisoners’ Welfare and Correctional Officer Tassa McGarrell, and the students have been welcomed with open arms and words of encouragement as they prepare to step into the realm of helping professions.
During a meeting with the students on Thursday, Pilgrim and McGarrell emphasised that it is important for them to have confidence and assertiveness in approaching their internship at the correctional facility. The students were reminded that the field of social work is both challenging and rewarding, as dedication and empathy are required to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Further, Pilgrim noted, “The assessment is a valuable research experience for undergraduates, and can be one of the most rewarding aspects of their respective courses”.
The interns will be stationed in the Reception Department, where they would be focusing on providing welfare and social support to incoming and outgoing prisoners. Over the course of six weeks, they would dedicate 200 hours to this immersive experience.
This internship marks a collaborative effort between the Guyana Prison Service and the University of Guyana’s Department of Sociology. It is based on a mutually agreed partnership aimed at bridging academia with real-world application. Wendy Collings, the Social Work Practicum Supervisor from the university, had also joined the meeting to show her support for the students’ upcoming endeavours.
As they begin their internship at Lusignan Prison, these social work professionals bring with them a commitment to positively impact the lives of individuals within the correctional system.