Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Roxane George SC on Wednesday led a high-level judicial delegation on a visit to the Lusignan Prison to gain a first-hand understanding of conditions at the facility and the operational and administrative challenges facing the Guyana Prison Service (GPS).
The delegation included acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh, Justices Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and Nareshwar Harnanan, Puisne Judges Sueanna Lovell, Mandisa Breedy, Christel Lambert, Renita Camelle Singh, Sunil Scarce and Azeena Baksh. Also accompanying the delegation were Acting Registrar Collene Liverpool, Deputy Registrars Alicia Lowenfield and Tamika Barkoye, Judicial Research Counsel Dominique Wilson, Protocol and Communication Officer Otecia Niles and Assistant Protocol and Communication Officer Bhanmattie Ramdial.
According to the GPS, the delegation was welcomed by Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot, who underscored the importance of continued collaboration between the Judiciary and the prison service.
During the visit, acting Deputy Director of Prisons Kevin Pilgrim briefed the delegation on what he described as the prison service’s transformation between 2010 and 2026. Pilgrim said the GPS is shifting from a system centred primarily on punishment to one focused on rehabilitation, reintegration and the restoration of inmates’ dignity.
He said the transition, while ongoing, represents a significant change in the country’s approach to corrections and forms part of broader reforms within the criminal justice system.
Justice George welcomed the engagement and said the Judiciary remained committed to working closely with the prison service.
The delegation also toured several sections of the Lusignan Prison, including the site of a new administrative building, virtual courtrooms, the kitchen, medical centre, trade shop, inmate housing facilities, the prisoner intake and processing area and the command centre.
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