Over 400 prison officers benefit from various training initiatives last year – GPS

Notable initiatives include a partnership with the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), the University of Guyana (UG), the Coursera Digital Learning Platform, the GOAL (Guyana Online Academy of Learning) scholarship programme, and, for the first time, training for several ranks on the use of non-lethal weapons and body cameras at facilities across Guyana.

Thirty officers enrolled in CPCE’s “Trainers to Trainers” training program, the first of its kind in the region.

These officers will complete Level 1 and Level 2 courses and earn an associate degree in education. Upon completion, they will join the prison service training department, where they will teach inmates various skills, marking a significant step toward in-house education delivery for the service.

Historically, civilians facilitated educational programs within the prison system, but the current approach focuses on equipping prison officers with the skills to deliver content effectively.

Another 30 officers completed the University of Guyana’s course in communication and administrative operations for correctional facilities.

In addition, 285 officers participated in the Coursera Digital Learning Platform, where they were exposed to several leadership, management, and supervisory programmes.

Acting Deputy Director of Prisons and Head of the Staff Training Department, Kevin Pilgrim, underscored that the training department met and exceeded its 2025 target, thereby completing the Five-Year Strategic Training Plan.

Pilgrim further noted that the achievement not only demonstrates the department’s ability to meet its objectives but also to exceed them.

According to Pilgrim, the training has strengthened institutional capacity, enhanced professionalism, and ensured that officers and civilians alike are better equipped to meet operational and organisational demands.

“These efforts underscore the GPS’s commitment to enhancing its personnel’s competencies and raising overall operational standards within the prison system,” Pilgrim noted.

Looking ahead to 2026, Pilgrim noted that the department will continue to build on its achievements by implementing a balanced training matrix to ensure officers remain equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to meet operational demands.

Additional programmes, guided by the Public Service Ministry Annual Training Activity, as well as opportunities through Coursera, the Gold Scholarship, and other institutions, will further expand access to specialised learning and global best practices.

Pilgrim added that through these initiatives, the training department reaffirms its commitment to excellence, continuous development, and alignment with the Guyana Prison Service’s legal framework and established procedures.

This sustained focus on training and professional growth will ensure that officers and civilians alike are prepared to meet the evolving challenges of the future with competence, integrity, and resilience.

Meanwhile, the Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, indicated that all prison officers will have the opportunity to upskill at the University of Guyana and at any other institution in their field. He said this approach will strengthen decision-making skills.