Prison officers were urged today to achieve professionalism, accountability and a better overall attitude when executing their duties. Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot expounded that adopting these principles would be beneficial in an effort to provide an efficient and effective service, not only within the Guyana Prison Service, but the public at large.
Elliot made the call at the Prison Headquarters’ first quarterly muster and general inspection of officers. He noted that prison officers play a vital role in the existence of the Guyana prison system. He posited that officers are the first line of defence within the prison estates.
“They are ultimately responsible for the safety, security, and supervision of inmates that are under their care, so you must remain disciplined and adopt to changes as officers at all times, no matter the circumstances,” Elliot poised.
He further added prison officers must enforce all the rules and policies that the prison officials institute in order to maintain good order and discipline within the prison walls. He added that without prison officers, prisons would be runned by the inmates and complete chaos would occur.
Under the theme ‘Promoting Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Prisoners’, Elliot revealed that the prison service has an obligation to provide prisoners with skills to facilitate their reintegration into society. He said the prison’s task is to help the inmates realise their mistakes and become better individuals.
Additionally, Deputy Director of Prisons Kevin Pilgrim noted that if prison staff are to carry out their important public service in a professional manner, they need to be carefully selected and properly trained, hence he implored on the officers to take every training opportunity on offer to better equip themselves.
Pilgrim further stated that the prison directorate remains confident that as the prison infrastructure continues to be developed, more officers will benefit from robust training programmes available.
Also making brief remarks was Officer-in-charge, Prisoners Welfare and Corrections Marielle Bristol-Grant and Technical Officer in the Strategic Managemnt Department Rae-Dawn Corbin.
Guyana Standard understands that General inspection of officers will be done at all prisons locations in the coming days.
