The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the promotion of 101 officers within the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), describing the move as the most comprehensive advancement exercise in recent years and a key step in strengthening leadership and institutional stability across the correctional system.
According to the Ministry, the promotions span supervisory, administrative and technical levels, aimed at expanding command capacity, improving middle-management oversight and advancing security and rehabilitation reforms across prison facilities nationwide.
The Ministry said the initiative aligns with the Government’s broader efforts to modernize the Prison Service under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali. These efforts include investments in both human resources and infrastructure to enhance the GPS’s ability to provide secure custody while advancing structured rehabilitation programmes for inmates.
Officials explained that the promotions followed thorough administrative and procedural reviews and are intended to restore structured career progression within the Service, improve succession planning and strengthen operational accountability across correctional facilities.
The approved promotions include:
- 5 Superintendents of Prisons
- 13 Assistant Superintendents of Prisons
- 2 Cadet Officers (Internal) on probation
- 17 Chief Prison Officers
- 28 Principal Prison Officers II
- 23 Principal Prison Officers I
- 12 Prison Trade Instructors
- 1 Coxswain
Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said the promotions place experienced officers in positions of greater responsibility.
However, Minister within the Ministry of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, noted that effective correctional management depends heavily on the professionalism of officers.
“These promotions place trusted officers in positions of greater responsibility. Secure facilities and effective rehabilitation depend on their discipline, fairness, and daily commitment to lawful and humane custody,” Walrond said.
The Ministry said the promotions also support a broader reform programme aimed at modernizing the prison system. Key initiatives include infrastructure upgrades at the Lusignan and Mazaruni prisons and other facilities, enhanced security systems with electronic monitoring, and expanded professional training.
More than 150 officers are expected to undergo training in 2026 in areas such as correctional management and human rights standards.
The government is also expanding skills-based reintegration programmes designed to strengthen pathways for inmates to re-enter society.
Walrond urged the promoted officers to pursue continued professional development.
“Advancement within the Service must be accompanied by academic progression and skills-building,” she said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said it will continue advancing reforms to strengthen professional standards, improve officer welfare and reinforce public confidence in correctional administration.
The post 101 Prison Officers promoted appeared first on News Room Guyana.
