Deputy Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels has recommended the dismissal of five prison officers as the Guyana Prison Service moves to step up security in wake of several contraband items being discovered in the Camp Street prison and other prisons around the country.

Mr. Samuels told News Source on Wednesday that he has no doubt that some prison officers have been colluding with prisoners to get prohibited items into the jailhouse.

On Tuesday a joint services search of the Camp Street jail uncovered 15 cellphones with chargers, five improvised weapons, two garden files, fifteen lighters, nine scissors, an improvised tattoo machine and a knife.

The lawmen also found small ziploc bags as well as a small portion of marijuana.

The Deputy Director of Prisons also indicated that a Wednesday morning search of the Lusignan Prison found two cellphones with charges and batteries as well as improvised weapons, lighters and a garden file.  Searches are ongoing at the other prisons around the country.

Samuels said the Prison Service is awaiting the procurement and installation of the full body scanner at the Georgetown Prison and he is confident that the scanner will offer additional help in uncovering illegal items that persons are attempting to take into the prison.

Following last March’s tragedy at the Camp Street jail when 17 prisoners were burned to death during a fiery protest by inmates, there have been several raids to rid the prison of prohibited items.

While all of the raids have unearthed prohibited items, it appeared as though many similar items would find their way back into the prison.

The Deputy Prison Director said he hopes that his recommendation for the dismissal of the five officers is acted upon.

A number of prison officers over the past few years have found themselves before the courts facing criminal charges for smuggling contraband items into the jailhouse.

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