“572 PRISONERS LIE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER” – ROBESON BENN

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, that the overcrowding situation at the Lusignan Holding Bay has become a bugbear and as such need’s urgent attention.

He informed the house, during his budget presentation, that based on his observation of the situation, there is a need for another temporary holding bay and eventually a new facility.

Minister Benn said, “572 prisoners lie in close proximity to each other, with little protection from the weather. We are taking steps even now, to build a new temporary facility, and the intention is to build a large new prison building at Lusignan.”

A rehabilitation programme has been undertaken at the Mazaruni, Camp Street and New Amsterdam Prisons according to the Minister. He said the project is aimed at addressing overcrowding in the prisons.

“This indeed was a programme started by Mr. Ramjattan after the fires, the honorable member, my only concern about it, is that it’s extremely expensive. And the projects are delayed by two years,” Benn explained.