41 inmates at Belle Isle Facility graduate in Essential and Social Skills Programme

There are now 41 new graduates of the Entrepreneurial Essentials and Social Skills Programme coordinated by the Adult and Continuing Education Division (DACE) in the Ministry of Education.
The graduates are inmates of the Belle Isle Correctional Facility (His Majesty’s Prisons).

At an official ceremony held on Wednesday, April 19, the participants received certificates after successfully completing the year long programme.

The programme aims to provide capacity building mechanisms by which inmates can develop necessary skills and knowledge that will equip them to better transition back to civilian life, once they have left the prison. Several areas are covered, including money management and customer service.

During remarks at the graduation exercise, Assistant Superintendent Julian Clark, said he was happy that such programmes are available to inmates and hopes that private sector organizations can come on board to provide additional support to these men.

“Business opportunities are everywhere but you have to make the move … you have to make it happen,” said Director of the DACE, Kathleen Jeffers, as she encouraged the graduates during her remarks. Jeffers noted that the Ministry of Education is mandated to offer transformative education and training opportunities with the ultimate goal of creating a better society. She insisted that even though participants have been in conflict with the law, this does not limit their ability to achieve.

This is the second cohort of participants to engage in the Skills Development rehabilitative programme which is expected to continue. (API)