AI camera system launched in prisons to identify threats, monitor officers

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has introduced an AI-equipped CCTV system across prisons.

This system is now detecting behaviours, movement patterns, and potential threats in real time, marking a major leap toward proactive security, transparency, and modernised inmate management.

Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (ag) Glexroy Thomas announced that the GPS is ramping up its use of technology as part of its broader push to modernise the correctional environment, during a recent ‘Police and You’ interview.

In the interview, he highlighted how these new tools are transforming corrections, the impact they are already having, and the service’s ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability, transparency, and security across the system.

“With the implementation of these technologies, we also have CCTV cameras that are equipped with AI, they’re being trained to detect certain behaviour, certain patterns, certain groupings.”

According to him, this will also help prison officers to better respond to situations, or to prevent situations.

He also noted that with the implementation of these technologies, “we hope that we will provide high-quality service to the public”.

“It also helps us to keep our officers in line, give them training where needed, and also has live accountability of each action they take, whether good or bad, at that time.”

He also pointed out that these advancements are not only reshaping security operations but are reinforcing a culture of transparency and responsibility within the prison system – ensuring both officers and inmates operate under consistent, real-time oversight.

Meanwhile, Jamal Daniels, Prison Trade Instructor (ag), noted that this system strengthens public trust, since the alerts are generated in real time, providing instant accountability at the exact moment the breach occurs.

A few days ago, the GPS began testing electronic ankle bracelets to monitor low-risk inmates participating in work programmes. This technology is part of a broader initiative to modernise the prison system and improve inmate rehabilitation and reintegration. The tamper-resistant bracelets use radio frequency signals to alert officers if an inmate leaves an authorised area.