Guyana has lowest repeat offending rate in CARICOM – Prison Director

Guyana has the lowest repeat offending rate in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), according to Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot.

He made the revelation during this week’s edition of ‘Safeguarding our Nation’.

According to Elliot, Guyana’s recidivism rate stands at just 14%, far below Barbados (60%), Trinidad and Tobago (50%), and Suriname (46%).

He said this progress is the result of a bold policy shift toward rehabilitation and reintegration, backed by the largest investment in prison reform in the country’s history.

Since 2021, more than GY$28 billion has been invested in prison infrastructure, officer training, and certified rehabilitation programmes.

“Rehabilitation is no longer an add-on. It is now the core mission of the prison service,” Elliot said. “We are building a system that prioritises purpose, dignity, and second chances.”

As of July 2025, Guyana’s prison population stands at 2,239, a 2.9% decrease from 2,306 in July 2024.

The Prison Director noted that this drop reflects the impact of rehabilitation-focused policies and a broader cultural shift within the system.

For instance, in skills training, over 820 prisoners completed certified vocational programmes in 2024 in areas such as masonry, agriculture, welding, electrical installation, and tailoring.

Additionally, prisoners now receive professional counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, anger management, and substance abuse treatment.

Inmates are also afforded opportunities to work on public-private projects, earning stipends and often sending money home to support their families.

There is also the Fresh Start Initiative which equips former prisoners with business toolkits and mentorship. As a result of this programme, over 50 ex-prisoners have launched income-generating ventures since 2022.