(Trinidad Guardian) Inmate Nadia Pooran has come a long way since being incarcerated at the Women’s Prison, Arouca. Pooran, a mother of two, who has been imprisoned for nine years has since obtained 13 CXC passes. She also successfully completed Units One and Two in Communication Studies at ‘A’ Level and graduated in upholstery, fabric design, cosmetology, plumbing and IT within the walls of the prison in the last nine years.
Now, the sky is the limit for Pooran, 31, who wants to pursue a three-year degree in psychology at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus. Pooran was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2008 for the 2003 killing of retired school teacher Ralphie Ramcharan.
“I want to do a major in psychology and a minor in sociology. The application was sent to UWI. I have not gotten a response as yet. This is my biggest dream.” Pooran said if she was accepted as a UWI student, she is not sure what arrangement will be put in place with regards to her tutoring. With nine more years to serve, Pooran admitted that she had made mistakes in her life and wanted to show her children she was now focused and on the right path.
Pooran was one of several women who got an opportunity yesterday to bond with their children in prison to celebrate Mother’s Day. It turned out to be an emotional event. “While I am happy they are here it’s heartbreaking to see them leave. The time is so short.”
Twice for the year, female inmates who are mothers are allowed to spend time with their children, which Pooran said was not enough. Thanking the prison system for showing her true potential, Pooran appealed to society never to judge a book by its cover.
“Prison is not a negative place. Had it not been for inside here I would not have been able to accomplish what I did.” Once Pooran leaves the prison she plans to offer counselling to dysfunctional families and open her own restaurant.