Over $55 million has been approved to upgrade and expand the Mazaruni Prison in Region Seven. The move is in keeping with President David Granger’s stated commitment to ensure that Guyana’s prisoners are housed under humane conditions.
The upgrade and expansion will also pave the way for the transferal of several prisoners who are serving long sentences at the overcrowded Camp Street Prison.
The contract, which was awarded through the Ministry of Public Security will not only address the blocks for inmates but will also see the construction of living quarters for prison officers.
The contract has been divided into two lots. At a cost of $28.1 million, Lot 1 has been awarded to A. Nazeer & Sons Contracting, while Lot 2 has been awarded to R. Kissoon Contracting Service for the sum of $30.4 million.
State Minister Jospeh Harmon said a lot of the work to be carried out includes rehabilitation work.
“The prison is on real estate of 20 acres of land and it caters for living accommodation for prison officers, blocks for inmates and land for agriculture. The upgrade will include providing a proper fence and expanding the present facilities,” Harmon said.
He said the intention is mainly to move prisoners from Georgetown to Mazaruni while at the same time ensuing better accommodation for prisoners in keeping with international standard.
“We intend to upgrade the facilities to ensure that prisoners human rights are not affected,” he added.
The United States 2015 State Department Report on Human Rights criticized Guyana’s prison and jail conditions, particularly in police holding cells.
The report stated that the conditions were harsh and life threatening and overcrowding was a severe problem.
The government had committed to addressing these issues following the Camp Street riot which left 17 prisoners dead.
A Commission of Inquiry that was set up heard of the challenges and recommendations to address these challenges are currently on the tables.
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