One-year HIV/AIDS workshop commences at Georgetown Prison
Guyana Chronicle
June 30, 2004
GINA - Realising that HIV/AIDS is a disease that concerns everyone, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has started a one-year workshop to sensitise inmates in Camp Street Prison to the disease.
This was disclosed by Director of Prison Mr Dale Erskine in an invited comment to the Government Information Agency (GINA).
Coordinator of the workshop is Mrs Barbara Deodat, who conducts the weekly workshop with 100 inmates.
“HIV is a topical issue and we have to take control of the disease as it is a national problem,” stressed Erskine.
The programme is to be taken also to Timehri, Lusignan, Mazaruni and New Amsterdam prisons.
Another successful programme completed Friday last was the literacy and numeracy workshop at the Mazaruni Prison in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni). The graduation was held at the Mazaruni Prison Officers' Sports Club.
According to Training and Recruitment Officer Mr Colin Howard, 18 inmates and six civilians completed the nine-month course. The Adult Education Association (AEA) was involved in the programme. Classes for the six persons were held in Bartica.
Under the guidance and expertise of Coordinator of the course, Ms Audrey Audwin, the participants were taught Mathematics, English Language and General knowledge, and also participated in motivational sessions.
“For the inmates, this is a stepping stone in the right direction, instead of being involved in something that would get them in trouble,” noted Howard.
At the graduation ceremony were: Deputy Director of Prisons Posanand Tahal, Wilford Gomes and Michael Scott from AEA, and education officials from Bartica.