By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The University of Guyana (UG) and the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) have officially launched a landmark academic partnership designed to transform the correctional system from the inside out. On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, two specialized training programs were unveiled, targeting the twin pillars of the service’s modern mandate: Strategic Leadership and Mental Health Support.
Funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), these programs represent a shift toward “competency-based” corrections, moving away from a purely punitive history.
The Two Pillars of Reform
The collaboration introduces two distinct pathways for senior correctional staff:
- Strategic Leadership for Senior Management: Designed to advance research, ethical leadership, and policy engagement. This course aims to align prison management with international standards of “human resilience” and strategic security.
- Mental, Neurological, and Substance Abuse Disorder Course: This critical program equips officers with the clinical tools to identify and manage inmates—and colleagues—struggling with mental health crises, addiction, and the stigma associated with these disorders.
Addressing “The Shared Hardship”
A poignant highlight of the launch came from Dr. Melissa Eiffel, who shared research indicating that prison officers often endure the same traumas as those they guard.
- Officer Wellness: Dr. Eiffel noted that harsh working conditions, long hours, and limited compensation lead to high levels of stress. “The inmates complained about the food; so did the officers. The working conditions and living spaces affect everyone behind those walls,” she observed.
- Resilient Systems: The training is designed to foster human resilience, helping officers manage their own mental health while effectively responding to prison emergencies.
From Punitive to Rehabilitative
In a virtual address, UG Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin framed the initiative as a global evolution.
“We are, as a society and as a human race, moving away from the punitive to the rehabilitative; from the judgmental to the competency-based.” — Prof. Paloma Mohamed-Martin
Program Details & Eligibility
The programs are not just workshops but accredited academic courses that can serve as a bridge to further university degrees.
- Duration: 15 weeks (4-credit program).
- Accreditation: Fully accredited by the University of Guyana.
- Eligibility:
- Senior officers with at least 10 years of service.
- A recognized Bachelor’s degree.
- Relevant prior correctional training.
National Stability and Public Trust
Dr. Michelle Moras emphasized that the ultimate goal of the leadership course is to contribute to national stability. By developing ethical leaders and progressive institutional practices, the Guyana Prison Service hopes to regain and maintain public trust in the justice system.
This academic intervention follows President Irfaan Ali’s Monday announcement of a “prison-avoidance” strategy, suggesting a multi-layered security approach that begins with better-trained personnel.
