CONCERNED citizens as well as staff at the Georgetown Prison are calling for the urgent intervention of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to take control of the prevailing situation at the Georgetown Prison, where out-of-control prisoners are reportedly posing a threat to national security. An employee at the prisons told the Guyana Chronicle that an urgent search for contraband items is needed and the longer government takes to intervene, the closer prisoners are getting to supposed plans for a jailbreak and arson on the Lot 12 Camp Street facility.
Rumours have reached staff about the security threat, but some believe this is being taken lightly, although high-profile criminals are housed in certain sections of the penitentiary, and some of the men have already been condemned for life.
GUNS
It is also rumoured that guns are in the hands of prisoners, some of whom now parade the jail yard with ‘juckers’, knives and other offensive weapons which are listed among the prohibited items in the system.

NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT
Information released to this newspaper suggests that a major national security threat is brewing in the capital city, and May is the month targeted for the execution of various crimes, including murder of some prison officers and their families.
The Guyana Chronicle also heard that although police and soldiers are strategically placed around the prison compound, none are stationed in the prison yard. Nurses recently locked themselves in their office after several prisoners just outside shouted verbal threats while trying to gain entry.
The nurses who were threatened with sexual assaults and verbally abused are afraid to enter the compound and downed tools since Wednesday.
A source said the nurses’ station is located in the midst of the jail, just above the Capital A block and they must pass several divisions to enter and exit their office.
“The nurses are in the midst of everything and if anything happens, they have to first get past hundreds of prisoners and then wait on the gate to open before reaching the safe area in the prison yard,” the source explained.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
It is rumoured that both female and male employees at the prison are scared for their lives as they face daily threats and regular assaults at the hands of some prisoners. According to reports, a prison officer was recently assaulted sexually by prisoners in the yard.
“Deh feel up a female officer, a big lady. They would walk up to we with a ‘jucker’ and tell you ‘me is a killer!’ and they walking round the prison yard with some long, long knives. They said Samuels tell lies at the Prison Inquiry and dead gaffo pass. They say they ain’t going down alone, officers have to die too.”
The Guyana Chronicle was told that prisoners are in possession of an axe and other tools which they stole from the prison workshop, and it is even alleged that at least one gun is in their possession.
“Prison Officers cry many times. Can you imagine things [prohibited items] throwing over the wall and officers seeing and can’t even do nothing about it?”
This publication understands that though it was announced that some prisoners have been transferred to other locations, the most troublesome of the prisoners still dwell at Camp Street and have openly protested being removed.
“They said Samuels lied at the Commission of Inquiry and somebody gaffuh dead,” the source said, adding that many of the staff have been preparing their resignations.
Counselling is not yet being offered to some of the traumatised staff, and some do not even get time off, working night and day.
While Director of Prisons Carl Graham told the CoI recently that he practically lives at the Georgetown Prison, considering the safety of both officers and prisoners, the Guyana Chronicle was told that the DoP scarcely visits the jail and has held only a single muster with staff after the March 4 riot.
The Guyana Chronicle understands that since March 4, only two prison officers have been consistently on the job. Those officers’ names were given as Superintendent of Prisons Nicklon Anthony Elliot, and Chief Prison Officer Patrick Crawford, who have both testified at the CoI that they have had little or no rest since the start of the riots on March 2. Elliot told the CoI that he visits his home only occasionally for change of clothing.
Meanwhile, a lone female officer, June Lewis-Charles, would boldly enter the prison yard to perform her duties, amidst daily insults and threats. This was the same officer who on March 4 fell unconscious in her office when a prisoner threw a canister of teargas at her. She later climbed through a window and unto the roof of the prison kitchen to safety.
Prisoners have become more vicious since that day, and openly direct threats at officers.

SAMUELS ON LEAVE

Officers said things are not the same without the Deputy Director of Prisons (DDoP) Gladwin Samuels around, and even Graham during his testimony at the CoI hinted that the pressure is seriously on with Samuels off on leave. Samuels was sent on leave by Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and his leave was extended further even as the prison CoI was also given more time.
One day prisoners called Crawford requesting to play a game of football, but the officer told them he would see them in a few minutes since he had a pressing issue to attend to. Minutes after, the prison officer went to the Woods Division to let the prisoners out but they threw a bucket of water on him instead.

ASSAULTS

“Prison officers cry many times,” the source said, adding that the inmates often throw urine and filth on the officers. Officers have also testified during the CoI that the prisoners insult, threaten and throw filth (liquefied) and urine mixed with pepper on them.

Cadet Officer Udistaire Holligan testified that on March 3 while he was on the Capital A stairs prisoners threw urine on his face and clothing.

Guyana Chronicle understands that prison staff who remain on the job risk their lives out of concern for the country’s security, but do not have the power to regain control of the prison.

Meanwhile, nurses at the prison downed tools Wednesday and refused to enter the compound to work. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the nurses’ station at the prison is in the midst of the prisoners, located just upstairs of the Capital A dormitory.
It is rumoured that the nurses are cursed daily by prisoners who also threaten to sexually assault them.
The source believes that prison authorities hide many things from the relevant authorities and the public, claiming that it is for security reasons when there is need for urgent intervention as the situation can become disastrous.
The source said while prison officers cannot control the situation, government should send the Guyana Defence Force and Guyana Police Force to take control of the situation by searching and removing weapons.
Staff of the prison remain silent because they are afraid of being penalised, and even when other concerned authorities telephone the prison, they cannot reveal certain information, but falsely report to them that “everything is okay.” One prison officer who had written a letter to a government official was transferred as a result.

Many days there are only two officers working in the compound and if there is an emergency, the Task Force Unit at the jail has to be summoned.
Some prisoners rob others of whatever items their families deliver within the jail, and sexual assaults, including sodomy, on others continue to be a popular crime.
The Guyana Chronicle was told that a prisoner who recently was accused of murdering a close family member had to be transferred to Lusignan after the first night on remand at Camp Street, since he was traumatised the entire night by other inmates.

OUT OF CONTROL
Convicted prisoner Carl Brown, who recently testified at the Commission of Inquiry told the commission that he is always thinking of escaping from the jail. He was charged with escaping from jail twice. Brown, who is believed to be a leader in the prison, told the commission that he does not make plans with others, but his plans are only for his own escape.
The Director of Prisons recently told the Guyana Chronicle that the prisoners are out of control.