GPSU urges 'immediate arrest' of crime
--- and radical approach to prison reform
by Shirwin Campbell
Guyana Chronicle
October 3, 2003
The Guyana Public Service Union is calling for the immediate arrest of the revolving door of crime and called on all stakeholders and citizens to tackle crime from several angles.
Disciplined Forces Commission (DFC) hearings met with Mr. Randolph Kirton representing the GPSU yesterday in the Law Court Library.
He called for a different and radical approach to prison reform calling our present system woefully outdated and stringent.
Highlighting the need for personnel skilled to interact with prisoners and win them back to society, he said the present system creates inbreeding and isolation.
Of great concern to the union was the dehumanization that prevails in the prison environment and the condition of the holding cells at the Police Stations around the country.
Pointing to the successful pilot project at the Mazaruni prisons where inmates are involved in agricultural activities and the inmates at Timeheri prisons involved in work at the Airport he stressed that a greater emphasis on development of skills rather than stringent methods will win them back to society.
The shortage of staff, over crowded prisons, poor working conditions, poor health facilities, no doctor available and inmates not meaningfully occupied are all receipts for a problem, he said alluding this as responsible for the Mash Day jail break.
We see overcrowding as one of the main problems and support the call of the Guyana Human Rights Association for a review of the sentences for minor offences.
Some recommendations made by Mr. Kirton in this regard included, deducting the prison sentence from the time spent awaiting trial; granting bail; establish facilities and personnel to facilitate the granting of payrolls.
He also recommended that persons that served most of his/her time and is unwell be released to be with family or in a medical institution.
Critical to a successful reform was the removal of the Prison Service from under the Ministry of Home Affairs and into the control of the Judiciary system.
Also of importance was removing the influence of the police over the prisoners as is customary presently through monthly searches and Prison officers being trained by the members of the Guyana Police Force.
"Once incarcerated you should not have them accessed by Police," Mr. Kirton stated.
The Director needs greater flexibility within a budgeted framework. He has no control over the staffing and promotions among other things. Mr. Kirton also recommended a Board headed by the Director, with representatives from the judiciary, police, Ministry of Home Affairs, Union and Bar Association.
Citing too much political interference in the operations of the Prisons, he said that such a Board will ensure smooth operations since the system will be managed by experts.
Describing the system of punishment as excessive he called for the use of the cat o nine tails for flogging, dietary punishment and removal of privileges.
According to Mr. Kirton the system must aim for rehabilitation instead of brutal punishment since when they are released and there is a confrontation they will treat with you accordingly.