Study ongoing to help reduce prison population

With support from the Inter-American Development Bank, the Government is working on measures to reduce the prison population. A venture in this regard is being conducted by Mr Peter Pursglove S.C., a consultant who has been contracted under the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme.

Pursglove is currently is currently in Guyana to hold consultations with a number of senior government functionaries, members of the Judiciary and Magistracy, technical officers from relevant government departments and ministries along with stakeholders from civil society and non-governmental organisations. The consultations commenced on July 24 and will continue until July 28, 2017 in an effort to garner the relevant information and data to complete a study on alternatives to pre-trial detention. This is Mr Pursglove second visit in the conduct of this study.

The study is not only expected to contribute to a reduction in prison overcrowding but also prevent further criminalisation of youths since it will contribute to the design of a structured pre-trial opportunity programme.  From the consultant’s preliminary consultations with stakeholders it was recognised that currently there is no structured diversion programme in Guyana and that resources will have to be allocated by government if such programmes are to be established. However, before proceeding to design and implement such programme it is necessary to gather and analyse the relevant statistical and other types of information available relating to the various offender groups that may be targeted by any diversion programmes.