GPS, UG launches mental health training programme
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GPS, UG launches mental health training programme
Recognising the dire need to build mental health capacity within the prison system, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and the University of Guyana’s Institute for Human Resilience Strategic Security And The Future (IRHSSF), on Thursday launched the First Responders Course in mental, neurological and substance abuse disorder.
Sixty prison officers will benefit from this groundbreaking initiative which is fully finance by the Inter-Development Bank (IDB) through the Ministry of Legal Affairs for the support of the criminal justice system.
The course will be fully accredited by the University of Guyana and aims to equip prison staff with essential skills to handle complex issues within correctional facilities.
During the Opening Ceremony, held at the University of Guyana, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, emphasized the importance of expanding the scope of officers’ training.
According to the Attorney General, course of such nature will improve officers’ ability to distinguish between manifestations of mental health, substance use and behavioral challenges amongst the prison population.
“Over the years the emphasis has shifted from punitive measures more to reformative and rehabilitative efforts, so course of such nature will transition you the prison officers to a new environment and a new policy framework that will govern the prisons. We are working on a new prison act, so this training is part and parcel of that general policy direction in which the government have to go in our penal institution”, the AG noted.
Meanwhile, Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot stated that this course is aligned to the Government’s transformative agenda within the Prison Service.
The Prison Head noted that implementing mental health training could improve officers’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward inmates with mental illness. This could lead to improvements in risk management, humane treatment of inmates, and interprofessional collaboration with healthcare providers.
The Vice- Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohammed-Martin encouraged the participants to take full advantage to the programme since they will be exposed to relevant principles and practices to identify and address mental health and substance abuse disorder within the prison system.
Additionally, Dr. Mellisa Ifill said as a university, we consider mental health as an important element within the prison population.
She noted that the course will see officers gain a better understanding of mental health, become more empathetic, and take practical steps to help prisoners facing mental health challenges.
