On 18 June 2026, the Wellcome team convened a leadership workshop for senior offices of the Guyana Prison Service and the Bordelais Correctional Facility in St Lucia. It kicked off with three presentations. Clare Anderson spoke about history, colonial legacies and lessons for contemporary prison leadership. The goal was to encourage discussion and understanding of how colonial systems of punishment and inequality continue to shape modern prisons; and to nurture the use of historical lessons to guide the development of humane, effective, and inclusive correctional institutions. Tammy Ayres presented on ethical leadership, professionalism and staff well-being. She stimulated thinking on leading with integrity, accountability and transparency, on managing stress and building resilience, and building partnerships to support well-being and training. Mellissa Ifill focused on the treatment and management of vulnerable groups in custody. Centring women and particularly foreign nationals in her presentation, she stressed the need for gender-responsive rather than gender-neutral policies and practices. These three talks stimulated group discussion, as senior leaders in the two prison services exchanged views on their experience of robust leadership and service in the sector.
