Georgetown :Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee today launched the Guyana Prison Agricultural Development Board at his Brickdam Office.
He said that the potential for agri-development within the prison system is tremendous and its achievement will make the GPS more self reliant.
“Two of the advantages the system has at its disposal are the manpower and land, and in any type of large scale development, the hands to do the work and the availability of land are the two most important factors,” Minister Rohee told members of the board.
Several stakeholders have been brought in, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food for the Poor and other entities and is optimistic that the programme will also significantly benefit the prisoners as well as officers within the service.
He said the Ministry from time to time had to think outside of the box to find creative and innovative ways of moving the system forward and “with this in mind we drew up a business plan for GPS and not because the bill budgeted for dietary supplies for prison service was high, but a move to also keep inmates gainfully occupied”.
Deputy Director of Prisons, Lt. Col Malcolm Mc Andrew welcomed the move by the Ministry to establish the board and agri-business plan.
