Prison officers protest four-year promotion freeze, WIN urges Home Affairs to act

Ranks within the Guyana Prison Service are voicing growing frustration over what they describe as a four-year stagnation in promotions, according to a release issued by We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), led by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed.

WIN said prison officers reached out to the party to highlight what they consider an ongoing injustice within the service, citing stalled promotions, lack of communication, and declining morale among ranks.

In a letter to the party, concerned officers stated that no promotions have been granted in the past four years. They argued that the prolonged delay has severely impacted morale, motivation and professional dignity among officers who continue to serve under “challenging and often dangerous conditions.”

According to the letter, promotional interviews were conducted between April and May 2025, raising expectations that the long-delayed advancement process would finally move forward. However, since those interviews concluded, officers claim there has been “absolute silence,” with no feedback, no publication of results, and no further action.

“This lack of transparency and follow-through is both disheartening and disrespectful to officers who prepared and presented themselves in good faith,” the rank stated.

Promotion within the Guyana Prison Service is governed by the rules of the Public Service Commission, as prison officers are classified as public servants. Advancement is generally based on merit, seniority, performance appraisals, training, experience and conduct. Recommendations for promotion are typically made by the Director of Prisons and forwarded through the Ministry of Home Affairs (Guyana) for approval, after which promotions are formally announced and take effect on specified dates.

The officers contend that, despite this established process, there has been no movement since the 2025 interviews, creating uncertainty and eroding confidence in the system.

They further noted that promotions within other joint services have reportedly been addressed, while the Guyana Prison Service remains without advancement. According to the ranks, this disparity sends a troubling message that prison officers are undervalued and unrecognised within the national security framework.

The letter describes the daily responsibilities of prison officers as hazardous, psychologically demanding and critical to maintaining institutional order, national stability and public safety. Despite these risks, the officers say their sacrifices appear to go unnoticed when matters of career progression arise.

The ranks are now calling for the issue to be placed in the national spotlight, urging relevant authorities to provide clarity and take immediate corrective action.

In its release, WIN called on the Ministry of Home Affairs to urgently address the delayed promotions and ensure transparency and fairness in the advancement process within the Guyana Prison Service.