Zero Overcrowding now at Lusignan Prison

Minister Benn, Contractors meet on remaining projects

Overcrowding at the Lusignan Prison has been eliminated after some 689 prisoners who were previously housed in the Holding Bay area of the Lusignan Prison in East Coast Demerara were recently relocated to three new structures over the past week.

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has made provisions to expand the Lusignan prison to ensure greater capacity with better accommodation.

With this major expansion, overcrowding at Lusignan Prison, which had previously been more than 42 per cent, has been entirely eliminated.

Similar to this, after the ongoing expansion is completed, the crowded conditions at other prison facilities in the country will be resolved.

As work moves apace on several projects at the Lusignan Prison Estate, the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Robeson Benn, M.P., accompanied by the Director of Prisons (ag), Mr. Nicklon Elliott, and team, conducted a walk-through and engaged contractors on Friday, March 31, 2023, to ensure a timely finish.

Currently, three other structures are being constructed, and upon completion, they will accommodate another 500 inmates.

Minister Benn told the contractors that the idea is to allow all the ongoing projects to run simultaneously and for delivery on schedule.

The contractors were also given an opportunity to raise issues which are affecting the smooth execution of the project. Both contractors and the Ministry’s Projects Department have committed to collaborating to achieve the required set standards.

Upgrades to the facility will also accommodate a female prison, which will see the relocation of female inmates from the New Amsterdam prison.

Additionally, the prison’s vocational school, which is aimed at upskilling inmates while reducing recidivism, is at 95 percent practical completion.

This structure will complement the Home Affairs Minister’s ‘Fresh Start’ initiative, which was conceptualised to help reintegrate inmates with the community and their families.

Minister Benn also inspected construction works on the Senior and Junior Officers’ living quarters, which will both accommodate 100 males and 50 female officers.

The infirmary annex, overhead water storage tanks, and water treatment plants are also nearing practical completion.

The construction of the outer perimeter fence is at 95 per cent practical completion and is advancing according to specifications.

Meanwhile, the minister also visited the old Holding Bay area, which will be transformed into trade shops. Prisoners will be exposed to programmes such as auto mechanics, joinery, tailoring, welding and carpentry.

A tour of the prison farm, where 2000 heads of corn are planted and beds are being prepared for the planting of boulanger, was also visited by Minister Benn.