Thirty-nine inmates from the Mazaruni Prison on Thursday received certificates after graduating from crop husbandry held over a period of twelve weeks and made available through the Guyana Prison Service (GPS).
The programmes, which aims to help inmates reintegrate into society upon their release was implemented as part of a rehabilitation strategy designed to aid in the enhancement of inmates’ employability thus reducing the likelihood of recidivism, a statement from the GPS said.
The release added that Officer-in-Charge of the Mazaruni Prison, Superintendent David Shepherd, in his remarks at the ceremony, stated that the prisoners were given the opportunity to be involved in the two courses which will aid in imparting skills necessary for their reintegration.
Meanwhile, the second Officer-in-Charge of Prison’s Welfare and Corrections, Tessa McGarrell, said that the Prison Service is fixed with the obligation of providing programmes with skills which inmates can benefit from when they are released and which will help them to make better life choices.
Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, noted that as time progresses with modern infrastructures, then more training will become available to inmates to assist with a better life. “We are adequately preparing them, whether it is with skill or educational training, so that when they released back into society they are productive citizens.”
