Georgetown: Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels late Saturday afternoon confirmed that at approximately 16:20hrs inmates at the holding area of the Lusignan Prison were involved in a series of assaults and aggressive conduct which resulted in extreme disorder and threatened their own safety, that of the joint services team providing security and could have escalated further and compromise the integrity of the facility. Sixteen inmates were injured after authorities opened fired with rubber bullets.
As a last resort the use of force, including firearms, was required to restore order and maintain the integrity of the holding facility.
Sixteen prisoners were shot and are suffering from minor injuries another four suffered injuries as a result of fights among the prisoners. There were no deaths or escapes.
Three prisoners who suffered minor gunshot wounds and two who suffered injuries as a result of fights were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for treatment while the others were being treated on site at the Lusignan Prison Infirmary.
None of those who were shot are, at this time, deemed to be in a life-threatening condition.
The Guyana Prison says it regrets that this course of action had to be taken but was left with no other option given the extreme disorder which broke out in the holding area and the refusal of the prisoners to heed the commands of the officers to desist.
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