The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, on Monday officially opened the new Guyana Prison Service Headquarters at Lusignan, marking what officials described as a major leap forward in reforming the country’s correctional system.
The commissioning ceremony was led by Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, who was joined by Permanent Secretary Andre Ally, Director of Prisons (ag) Nicklon Elliot, and Deputy Director (ag) Kelvin Pilgrim.
The relocation of the Headquarters from Brickdam to Lusignan positions the administrative hub directly within the prison compound—a move that officials say will allow for greater efficiency, improved coordination, and closer alignment between security and rehabilitation programmes.
As part of the event, plaques were unveiled for several completed projects, reflecting a multimillion-dollar investment in prison infrastructure. Among the most significant developments are six new cell blocks, built at a cost of more than $2.2 billion, designed to increase capacity, improve safety, and provide more humane living conditions for inmates.
Other rehabilitative facilities include trade shops valued at $54.3 million, an infirmary annex costing $35.8 million, and a vocational training school worth over $102 million, with an additional $29.2 million invested in supporting infrastructure. These centres are expected to give inmates access to skills training and education to aid their reintegration into society.
Operational and staff-focused upgrades were also highlighted, such as a new kitchen ($54.8 million), female officers’ living quarters ($60.2 million), and senior officers’ residences ($91.9 million). Together, these projects are designed to enhance both the welfare of inmates and the working conditions of prison officers.
In his address, Minister Benn said the government’s approach to prison reform goes beyond buildings and infrastructure, emphasising that the core objective is rehabilitation and reintegration.
“This new headquarters and the other facilities we are building here stand as a metaphor for transformation,” he stated. “While we are putting in the physical infrastructure, the next big step is performance. We must carefully examine whether there is transformation in the types of crimes and in the individuals committing them and then identify the best results and approaches.”
Reflecting on the state of the system before 2020, the minister recalled overcrowded cells where inmates slept on floors or hammocks. He said the upgrades at Lusignan, Mazaruni, and other facilities now provide more humane conditions.
“The prison system is a window into our society,” Benn added. “It reflects our trauma, our brokenness, and our failures, but also our opportunity to heal. We must offer those who fall the opportunity to rise again.”
The minister urged prison officers to treat inmates with dignity, stressing that the focus should be on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Permanent Secretary Andre Ally described the new headquarters as both a physical and strategic investment. He pointed out that since 2020, more than $4 billion has been allocated to prison development and training, compared to only $15 million between 2015 and 2020.
“If you knew the state of this compound five or six years ago, you’d understand exactly what I mean; it was chaos, disaster,” Ally said. “Today, thanks to the leadership of the Government of Guyana, we now have brand new buildings, upgraded cell blocks, vocational schools, trade shops, kitchens, and even virtual boardrooms.”
He emphasised that the new facilities represent more than buildings—they signal a long-term commitment to modernising the correctional system and supporting rehabilitation.
Acting Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, also underscored the broader vision behind the upgrades. He explained that architectural changes are being made to encourage skill-building, education, and healthier interactions, all of which are key to reducing recidivism.
“Correctional facilities must prioritise self-improvement and personal growth if rehabilitation is to be effective,” he said, reaffirming the Prison Service’s commitment to helping inmates reintegrate into society.
The commissioning of the Lusignan headquarters and associated facilities was hailed as a landmark moment for Guyana’s prison system. By combining new infrastructure with training, education, and rehabilitation initiatives, officials say the country is moving toward a correctional system that is safer, more efficient, and focused on creating opportunities for change.
