By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — As the government begins rolling out its historic $1.558 trillion 2026 Budget, a sharp debate has emerged over the future of Guyana’s justice system. Sherod Duncan, Member of Parliament for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is challenging the administration’s “rehabilitation-first” rhetoric, arguing that the actual fiscal allocation favors massive construction projects over the actual reform of human lives.
While the government touts a modern vision for the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), Duncan contends that the “pouring of concrete” is currently outpacing the “polishing of character.”
The “Bricks and Mortar” Dilemma
MP Duncan highlighted a stark disparity between the government’s stated goals at the recent Senior Officers’ Conference and the line items in the 2026 Budget.
- Infrastructure Dominance: Billions of dollars are being funneled into capital expenditure for prison expansion. Key projects include the ongoing reconstruction of the New Amsterdam and Mazaruni complexes.
- The $1.5 Billion Question: Duncan pointed out that while the $1.5 billion capital allocation for infrastructure is moving full steam ahead, investment in human development and officer training remains “comparatively limited.”
- Reforming Lives or Expanding Space? “This raises a fundamental concern,” Duncan stated, “whether the true focus is on reforming lives or simply expanding physical space.”
Recidivism and the “Fresh Start” Gap
The MP questioned the government’s celebrated 14% recidivism rate, suggesting that current budget indicators don’t provide sufficient support to maintain or reduce that figure through human-centric programs.
- Vocational Training: Programs like the “Fresh Start” toolkits, designed to give released inmates a trade, currently account for only a small fraction of total infrastructure spending.
- The Nelson Mandela Rules: While the government frames new facilities as compliance with the international “Nelson Mandela Rules” for the treatment of prisoners, Duncan cautioned that modern buildings alone do not guarantee modern rehabilitation.
- Management Risks: The MP warned that without “prudent management,” these massive infrastructure funds could be easily swallowed by construction delays and cost overruns, further depleting resources intended for inmate reform.
The Social Impact: From Cells to Communities
Duncan emphasized that the quality of rehabilitation inside correctional facilities has a “direct impact” on the safety of Guyanese communities.
“A ‘rehabilitation-first’ vision is a noble intention, but it cannot be achieved if the ‘human capital’ side of the ledger is consistently outpaced by the pouring of concrete. We need a balance, not just more walls.” — MP Sherod Duncan
Summary of the Prison Budget Critique
| Category | Government Focus | MP Duncan’s Concern |
| Infrastructure | $1.5B for New Amsterdam/Mazaruni. | “Bricks and mortar” over-prioritized. |
| Rehabilitation | “Fresh Start” & Vocational Training. | Spending is a “fraction” of the total budget. |
| Recidivism | Touting a 14% rate. | Needs human investment to stay low. |
| Governance | Aligning with Mandela Rules. | Buildings don’t reform people; programs do. |
Conclusion: Performance Over Promises
For the APNU Member of Parliament, the 2026 Budget implementation phase is the ultimate test of the government’s sincerity. Duncan is calling for a strategic pivot: for every dollar spent on a new prison cell, make an equal effort to ensure the person inside it never returns to a life of crime.
